Seen 4 Traits of Expert Communicators

Corporate communicators at the top of their game may be hard to identify at a glance.

They might drink coffee in excess or possess a dog-eared, Post-It-filled copy of the AP Stylebook, but they ultimately blend in naturally with society. Only by working with an expert communicator can you determine their true nature.

Here are four surefire ways to tell when you are in the presence of phenomenal corporate communicators:

1. They know what to look for, and then they dig deeper. 

A rave review on Yelp is not a story, but it could be the tip of a valuable iceberg. A truly seasoned communicator knows which key questions to ask: What circumstances made the customer write the review? Do we have a star employee or a completely unheard-of process hidden within our organization?

2. They consider multiple points of view. 

Whose perspective makes a story sing? It’s probably not the CEO’s. A seasoned communicator considers those closest to the story—the nurses, salespeople, receptionists or engineers—and then interviews them.

3. They write, rewrite and repeat.

“ Moby-Dick” wasn’t written in one go. Rewriting a story from scratch provides fresh breakthroughs and new angles, until the communicator arrives at the most effective story possible.

4. They know how to take criticism. 

Nearly every communicator is subject to review by executives, legal counsel or other stakeholders. Though a novice might be reluctant to let go of an eloquent passage or clever turn of phrase, doing so is simply the nature of the job, and the end product will be stronger for it.

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Three Ways to Create a Lasting Long-Term Relationship With Your Team

I frequently share with my co-workers an admittedly lofty, perhaps slightly naïve goal -- that each of us, at the appropriate time, will retire from our current employer. In an age where people tend to change careers -- not to mention employers -- at a rate resembling the frequency of buying a new car, this goal may seem preposterous. As life can be unpredictable, it may not be 100 percent realistic, but I do believe that you greatly increase your odds with the right focus.

The approach is a rather simple one -- begin the relationship with the long-term in mind. In other words, treat each employee relationship as if it's going to be permanent. This is the difference between a summer fling mentality and a committed bond. If you believe that you will be working in the same office with an individual for the next several decades, you probably will take more care in crafting a meaningful relationship. 

Here are three ways to create lasting relationships with your team.

1. Spend quality time together.

Great long-term relationships don't happen overnight. They are a byproduct of genuinely getting to know someone over the course of time. A single conversation over coffee isn't likely to create a lifetime commitment. And that's good news because it takes the pressure off a single interaction.

Rather, trust and understanding grow through a series of small interactions over the weeks, months and years. The most important rule of thumb is to spend quality time consistently with each member of your staff, through the occasional lunch, team sporting event or other social activities. While terrific in-office interactions play an equally important role in developing great relationships, social connections can accelerate the process.

2. Work on further developing your communication skills.

Sticking with the marriage example, consider for a moment a leading cause of divorce. Besides money, the number one culprit is often a lack of or poor communication. For individuals on your team to reach a point where they think of themselves as "lifers" they need to feel comfortable in their career trajectory. This only happens when they are receiving a clear and consistent message from the top.

All communication, whether you are delivering exciting news or having a tough conversation, needs to be handled with care, clarity and an even tonality. Remember -- communication is a two-way street, so be available and approachable to comments and suggestions.

3. Demonstrate that you care by offering support during adversity.

We have a team member named Brooks who recently shared with me his commitment to retire with our organization. He is a young man with more career ahead of him than behind -- but he couldn't have been more serious about his ambition. Certainly not the only, but definitely a strong reason for his passion about our company, is how his co-workers and managers responded to his recent adversity.

His daughter, unfortunately, was diagnosed with leukemia last year. On the road to recovery, her extensive treatment required weekly visits to the hospital, about two hours away from home. At least once a week, Brooks would be out of the office. His teammates rallied behind him, doing everything in their power to show support. From chipping in to help with his workload, to cards, donations and constant encouragement, these kindnesses from his managers and the entire team strengthened an already strong bond. 

By getting to know your team through quality interactions, communicating brilliantly and showing them you truly care, it is possible to build a team of "lifers." A team that has a long term focus is a team where everyone buys into the success of the organization as a whole. And when that happens, magical things in your business will follow. 

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How to Keep Your Boss Happy with you

1. 1
   Find out what is important to your boss and make it important to you. If your boss is fanatic when it comes to deadlines, then do your best to get everything in ahead of schedule.
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   Make note of anything that you and your boss have in common. From non-work related points of interest like pets, golf and ,jogging, to professional ideals. In general conversation, find an opportunity to make your boss aware of your similar interest.
3. 
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   Agree with your boss, more often than not, without compromising your own values. This way, when the two of you do disagree or if you need to challenge your boss' assumptions,  won't view it as "disagreeing" but rather, a "different outlook."
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   Look for opportunities to "make something happen". For example, there are always projects and assignments that others don't have "time" to do. Find one that you can do and volunteer to do it! Your boss will appreciate it and remember it in the future.
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   5
   Do not throw the racial or the gender card when your boss picks on you for not doing what you were told to do.
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   Be as supportive as you can in controversial situations, even if you really don't like your boss' behavior. This puts you in a position to be honest with your boss without seeming confrontational.
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   Respect your boss' time; do not stand at his or her desk chattering away when clearly they are busy.
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   Make your boss look good. Realize that their success is your success.
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   Help your boss. Every boss has that one project that they never have time for and it stresses them out. This is where you come in. Find out what project it is and complete on your spare time, such as a day off. Since your boss hadn’t completed it, it is probably a somewhat insignificant project so it won’t take much time for you to complete it and your boss will love you for doing that.

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Ten Secrets to Getting Your ever Dreaming Job

Ten Secrets to Getting Your Dream Job

As founder of pdxMindShare, a networking group and email list for Portland-area professionals, I’m intimately involved with the local job market. Over the past few years, I’ve seen hundreds of resumes, met hundreds of people and talked with dozens of employers. Based on those interactions, I’ve discovered a few simple secrets to getting a dream job (or any job for that matter).

The first step, which far too many people overlook, is to conduct a self-exploration and identify possible careers that truly inspire. Brainstorm, organize and filter dream jobs based on level of inspiration, barriers to entry (i.e. level of education or certification fees) and earning potential. After a fairly comprehensive review session, you should be able to hone in on a few front-runners.

The second step is to conduct additional, in-depth research to determine which one of the careers is the overall winner. Create a matrix to help identify which books you should read, courses you could take, organizations you might join, companies you should follow and people you should meet. Then get moving.

As you learn more about job opportunities within the given industry, it may be appropriate to start a blog or build a Web site to compile your research and share your thoughts. It will help motivate you to stay committed, practice writing and understand technologies that may be relevant to your future job. Be warned that a poorly designed or maintained Web presence can come back to bite you in the ass. The benefit, however, is that it can be used as a marketing tool when done right.

As you schedule meetings and interviews, remember that these people (potential employers, connectors, etc.) may Google your name, so make sure your blog, LinkedIn, MySpace, Facebook and YouTube pages contain accurate and appropriate information. Don’t create content or upload images that may be inconsistent with your brand image or core values.

While sending out resumes to target companies and contacts is necessary and can be productive, it’s only one of many critical steps in the path to your dream job. One of the most valuable but least appreciated elements of the job search is networking. Your network is part of your value to an employer, so the larger and more diverse your network, the better. The more events you attend the more people you meet and the larger and more valuable your network becomes.

Networking is all about give and take, and many people tend to network for themselves and tend not to help other people out. I’ve written in the past about referral-based networking, which is the most effective and efficient method of building a network I’ve experienced. Referral-based networking in practice can significantly reduce unemployment downtime and increase the value of your current job.

Being well-rounded is as important as being networked. Everyone has a pet cause, but far too many folks throw money at a charity instead of rolling up their sleeves and get personally involved. Volunteering not only benefits the recipients of your efforts, but also builds your network. Contacts made at non-profit organizations are typically well-connected, influential and are all too happy to help altruistic volunteers with career advice or introductions. Most importantly, it looks great on a resume.

You’ll get old and gray if you wait for a job to land in your lap. With the knowledge gained during your research and networking efforts, combined with volunteer activities, it becomes much easier to request meetings with key contacts in your dream industry. I’ve found informational interviews are the most effective method of securing face time and gaining top-of-mind awareness with potential employers. The low-stress, high value meetings create a level of intimacy and reciprocity that bodes well for future referrals, if not job offers.

To secure a meeting through more traditional HR channels, ensure that your resume is relevant, organized and has absolutely no grammar errors or formatting inconsistencies. I throw out a resume if it has more than 1 mistake, regardless of how promising the candidate looks. Since a resume is a glorified brochure, use the email introduction or traditional cover letter to tell a story of why this company can’t afford not to hire you. Be specific, enthusiastic and flawless.

Once a meeting is confirmed, prepare for the in-person interaction. Always overdress for the interview, as first impressions are everything. Don’t forget to bring a notepad and pen to take notes. Bring printouts of the company’s Web site, job description and questions. Far too many interviewees come to the interview with nothing and I don’t hire them because it demonstrates a lack of preparation, intuition and enthusiasm.

Practice makes perfect. Secure as many interviews and meetings as possible in order to gain experience and feedback from hiring managers. The meetings offer an opportunity to perfect your game in terms of verbal and non-verbal communication style, interrogation and creating a generally strong impression.

Assuming your skills, experience or portfolio is on par with other interviewees, you need to separate yourself from the pack. Prior to the interviews, make sure your documents/portfolio is unique, relevant and error-free. As importantly, demonstrate your diverse and unique background. Highlight unique skills, interests, charity or volunteer work, awards and recognition. Well-rounded individuals typically fit better in a team environment.

One of the most critical elements of a hiring decision is personality fit within the organization. Far too many times, an otherwise ideal candidate (in terms of relevant experience and skills) loses out to someone that happens to fit better with the company’s culture. Beyond demonstrating understanding of a company’s core values, it helps to exude enthusiasm and drive, yet not come off as desperate or flustered.

The meeting isn’t over until you’ve sent a thank you card (yes, through old fashioned mail). For bonus points, follow up with value-add information via email on a regular basis to keep the relationship going and remain top-of-mind (but don’t go overboard or it will have a negative effect). By following the secret steps outlined above, you will land your dream job in no time.

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Seven Unconventional Ways To Land Your Dream Job

There is a difference between a job that pays the bills and a fulfilling career. We wondered why the distance between our job and our dreams is often so wide.

The world has changed, technology has been revolutionized several times over, and yet our hiring process still resembles the way it was back in the 1970s. Little has changed in how we post, apply, and interview for jobs on or offline.

Perhaps the first step in creating extraordinary work places is to rewrite the rules of engagement for gaining meaningful employment.

We have written about how our company, Fishbowl, abolished managers,meetings, and performance reviews. One of the comments we received was, “What do you do all day without these things?” and we responded with, “We work! We still make mistakes, but we love it because we are always getting better.”

You might be surprised by our suggestions for landing the job of your dreams. But since transforming the hiring process and the creating extraordinary work places will require a few years to catch up, here are a few of our team’s ideas that may open up a few new possibilities for you.

Find your dream job by using these unconventional tactics.

1. Apply for jobs that are never listed…by connecting with extraordinary people from all walks of life.

Most of the really great jobs are filled before companies even think to post them on Craigslist or other job sites. Overall, the interviewing process is tedious and if 50 people interview, 49 are going to be deflated and only one elated. How many times have we interviewed for a job we knew was not right for us and yet we were still devastated when we weren’t called back for the next round? It’s like a beauty pageant gone terribly wrong.

Become friends with people who work in companies you’re interested in. Enjoy learning about them and supporting them. Don’t be surprised when they call you up and ask you to join them when a new position opens up or refer you to an open position at another great company. Networking opens new doors all the time.

2. Skills always win…yes, even over likability, charisma, and charm.

Develop mastery in your chosen profession so you will continue to create job opportunities throughout your entire life. Companies will always need people who can deliver strong results. Great companies hire good people who are willing to learn and who are not afraid to educate themselves. There is a wealth of learning available to you – on and off the Internet.

3. Don’t rely on your résumé…too much.

A résumé is a good first step to get your foot in the door and describe what you’ve accomplished in your career. But showing is better than telling. Create a portfolio that represents who you are and what you stand for, which you can add to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Those are the places where hiring professionals will go to check you out, anyway.

4. Don’t focus primarily on money…if you’re really good, it will find you.

Discover the work that calls out to you and start doing it. If you’re just in “the game of work” for the money, title, and illusion of power, you’ll never feel completely satisfied or fulfilled.

Here’s a great example of someone who keeps money in a healthy perspective: We know a young man who loved building websites. He loved it so much he quit school and built them from dawn until late in the evening just about every day. Each project led to another. He had so much work that he started hiring “helpers.” Today, he operates a successful Web development firm and he still builds websites. He hired “a suit,” as he calls her, to take care of the “biz” so he can continue to do what he was born to do.

5. Don’t quit your day job…while you are working on discovering what you want to do.

Your time before and after you go to work belongs to you. A company doesn’t own you; just the time you put into it. Having more than one job for short periods of time, contrary to popular belief, won’t burn you out. Worry, stress, and lethargy take a bigger toll in the long run.

Also, if you have a day job you don’t have to worry about failing or going hungry since you have a steady stream of money coming in. Eventually, you may need to take the next step and leave your old job behind in favor of your new one. But until then it’s nice to have a safety net. Be grateful for that net and don’t shortchange it.

6. Demonstrate genuine gratitude in your current position…no matter where you are working.

Gratitude is an excellent trait to master. Most people enjoy working with grateful, humble, genuine people who give their all. Do the absolute best you can and if you’ve been slacking a bit, go the extra mile to build better habits before seeking that dream job.

Keep in mind that happiness generally has little to do with a job. Happiness is a choice. Neither your boss nor your company can make you happy. One of the happiest people I know works at a grocery store. She brings joy with her to the job. She always has something kind to say to everyone waiting in line to check out.

7. Get off social media and back in the game of work…because social media is a tool, not a job.

Once you upload your credentials, get back out into the real world. Limit your time on social media to a few minutes a day at specified times, such as before going to work, during your lunch break, or at home in the evening. Social media isn’t a job, it’s a tool. A contractor doesn’t live for his hammer. He or she puts it to work building things.

“You will never do anything in this world without COURAGE. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor,” said Aristotle.

We can use technology to remotely learn about companies and jobs. Our question…could we be doing more? Is it time to create a new way to find the right job and build a meaningful career? “Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations,” said Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut.

If you love writing – write.

If you love designing beautiful spaces – design away.

If you want to build a software app – go ahead!

The choice is ultimately yours. Don’t waste your time, regardless of where you are working. Focus it and manage it wisely because it’s more important than money. It’s one thing you can never get back, replace, or buy more of.

Pause for a moment and take a long look at your hands. What is the work they are meant to do? Part of the joy of living is finding that out. Enjoy the journey and keep us posted.

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