How leaders can underpromise and overdeliver

How leaders can underpromise and overdeliverHow leaders can underpromise and overdeliverSay a little and do a lot.Let your actions speak for themselves.Show me. Dont tell me.The maxims about hard work can go on for days. Its easy to copy/paste one of the timeless expressions on a motivational poster or catchy meme.But what does Say a little a do a lot mean in the context of leading your team?What does work ethic look like in real life?On my blog, were all about the practical side of leadership and the nitty gritty moments when you need to, in fact, let your actions speak for themselves.Less theory, mora doing.Here are three examples.1. You wrap up a staff discussion about how to sell a new product. You can tell the team still has a rough idea about the product and the best ways to offer the item to new and existing customers.That night, you spend an hour and draft a sales manual for the new product. You share best practices for email/phone engagements and a follow-up process with int erested buyers.The next day, you email the team the finished sales manual as a shared document. You didnt make a big deal that you were going to stay up all night and work on the manual. In fact, you didnt tell anyone at all.No, you went home, sat at the computer and knocked it out.Then, when the team sees the manual in the morning, it comes as a welcomed surprise.You saw a need. You worked hard tomeetthe need. Nothing more to it.In other words, Say a little a do a lot.2. You want to give your development staff a leg up during next years fundraising push.You look across your network and find an outside expert on capital campaigns and fundraising drives. You coordinate for the person to lead a half-day workshop for you and your development team.Youre the leader so the decision to coordinate the workshop rests in your hands. You dont delegate out the decision or talk about bringing in an expert - and then never follow through on the idea.No. You do research, make phone calls, schedul e the workshop and make it all happen.In other words, you let your actions speak for themselves.3. You have a policy that all nine employees can attend one professional development conference or event per year on the companys dime.You realize such an offer, while generous, can be overwhelming to staff members who may not be familiar with the conference circuit.Thats when you step into action. Without broadcasting your plans, you spend an afternoon and research 2-3 appropriate conferences for each employee.You then send an email to every employee, share the conference options and ask people to choose one (or to share another conference they found on their own).Did employees ask you to research the conferences? No. Is it helpful that you put in the time anyway? Yes.You didnt need to make a big pronouncement like, No calls on Tuesday afternoon. I will spend the time researching conferences for everyone.No. You sat down and did the work. Plain and simple. And now your employees can make plans to attend conferences that will sharpen their skills and, ideally, boost your bottom line.In other words, Show me. Dont tell me.- Leadership is a collection of all the little moments where you decide to make stuff happen, set new ideas in motion and put your employees in a position to be successful.Anyone can make a motivational poster.But it takes a special person tolead.This article first appeared on DannyHRubin.com

3 Steps to Find the Job You Want Quickly

3 Steps to Find the Job You Want Quickly3 Steps to Find the Job You Want QuicklyAre you unemployed?Are you looking for a job but dont know where to begin?This is a daunting place to be. It doesnt matter how you got here. It matters what you do next.As you may have already discovered by now the job market is very competitive. Applying to jobs online has changed the game in many ways. Youre going to need to prepare yourself for the search. I am going to tell you 3 steps to find the job you want quickly.Step 1 - Find ClarityFind clarity to determine how to begin your job search. It is important to be clear on what kind of job you are looking for. Consider your background and the roles youve already held.Where do you want to go from here? You have to narrow it down to be most efficient. Once you are clear on what you want, there are resources to help you find the six-figure job that suits you best.Look at the basics.What type of schedule are you looking for?What would your ideal salary a nd benefits package look like?Are you willing to relocate for the right opportunity?Fine-tune by exploring the size and type of company youd like to work for. Imagine yourself in different office environments ranging from large corporations to fast-growing start-ups. Do you see yourself in a leadership role or as a strong member of the team?Gain a clear understanding of where you fit best. This will help you begin to shape your resume and narrow down your search.Step 2 - Create a StrategyCreating a strategy for your job search will help you focus on the process. One strategy is to give yourself deadlines along the way. As you determine what actions you need to take in your job search, attach a deadline to each item. This will motivate you and help you see your progress.Dont forget about your support system.Reach out to friends and former colleagues that you admire and trust. Share your ideas and strategy with them to stay accountable. Be open to feedback.These days most jobs are obt ained through networking.There is no shame in asking for help. People you know will be your best foot in the door. If you cultivate and maintain strong relationships, they will be happy to help you. Recognizing the benefits of your LinkedIn network is essential in the job search process. Consider this - you are already somehow connected with the hiring manager at your next job.You have to connect the dots.Step 3 - Establish an Action PlanEstablish an action plan to follow to be more efficient in your job search. The sooner you find a job the better, but you want a plan to get you to the right job.The first priority is your resume. The online application process is more difficult than ever. If possible, hire a well-reviewed resume writer. This trained professional will build a resume that gets through the online application process. A strong resume will impress the hiring manager and set you apart from other candidates.Next step is your LinkedIn profile. Many people do not realize ho w to leverage the power of LinkedIn during a job search. This is your opportunity to network and get close to the hiring manager to secure an interview.Start searching for your top jobs to apply for. Choose wisely and dont overwhelm yourself with too many jobs at one time. It is a time-consuming process. You dont want to waste time and energy on jobs that are not ideal for you.Your resume and LinkedIn profile are the most important tools you have to showcase yourself to potential employers. Networking and utilizing the power of LinkedIn takes skill and strong connectionsAn executive search firm like Find My Profession will do all this for you.There are times when it makes sense to hire someone to professionally manage your job search. Find My Profession has the experience and resources to help you land the job you want in the shortest amount of time.With such a highsuccess rate, you cant go wrong with Find My Profession in your corner.

Celebrities Who Were Interns Before Becoming Famous

Celebrities Who Were Interns Before Becoming FamousCelebrities Who Were Interns Before Becoming FamousMany people, celebrities included, have used the internship as a way to jump start their career and get their foot in the door. Hes a look at some of the most famous interns.Conan OBrienBefore working as a writer for The Simpsons and hosting his own late night talk show, Conan held an internship with Rep. Barney Frank on Capitol Hill. Although this didnt lead to a career in politics, it served the other purpose of an internship, determining if something is a good fit. For Conan it welches not. Search government jobsBrooke ShieldsThe 80s heartthrob spent time time working with the San Diego Zoo while in high school. Of course this internship served as a way to fulfill high school requirements, as the child star was already famous before she started working with koala bears. As Brookes internship shows, no matter where youre at in your career, taking on an internship is always an optio n.Search zoo jobsAnderson Cooper Before CNNs Silver Fox reported the news, he considered a career with the CIA. There isnt a great internship lesson to take from Coopers time with the CIA, but he would have been a great CIA agent. And his partner would have to be Agency Mulder or Dale Cooper, for sure. Search CIA jobs Aziz AnsariWe may know him from Parks and Recreation and a slew of great comedies, but he could have been known for his work with The Onion.Aziz wasnt a writer with the Onion, rather he worked as a business intern. Of course the opportunity did place him near comedy. Often internships that arent a perfect fit turn us onto jobs that are. So keep yourself open to new experiences while working as an intern and see what you find out about yourself. Search writing jobsKanye West The college dropout doesnt have the same feelings for internships that he apparently has for college. Before launching his music career West spent time interning with Fendi and Louis Vuitton. That experience is paying dividends now as his fashion business is taking off. The lesson here is you never know when your internship experience is going to pay off. So just get the experience now and see where it takes you.Search fashion jobsIra GlassAs a teenager Ira walked into NPR and talked his way into an internship. Today he is the cornerstone of the public radio network and his This American Life the the most popular podcast on the planet. The takeaway from Glass is this internships arent just a few months at a company and then off to the next internship. They can blossom into career-defining ventures. It worked for him.Search radio jobs