Top 10 Ways to Lead By Example

Good leaders must lead by example. Through their actions, which are aligned with what they say, they become a person others want to follow. When leaders say one thing but do another, they erode trust, a critical element of productive leadership. Here are 10 of the dozens of ways to lead by example.

1. Take responsibility. Blame costs you your credibility, keeps team members on the defensive and ultimately sabotages real growth.

2. Be truthful. Inaccurate representation affects everyone. Show that honesty really IS the best policy.

3. Be courageous. Walk through fire (a crisis) first. Take calculated risks that demonstrate commitment to a larger purpose.

4. Acknowledge failure. It makes it OK for your team to do the same and defines failure as part of the process of becoming extraordinary.

5. Be persistent. Try, try again. Go over, under or around any hurdles to show that obstacles don’t define your company or team.

6. Create solutions. Don’t dwell on problems; instead be the first to offer solutions and then ask your team for more.

7. Listen. Ask questions. Seek to understand. You’ll receive valuable insights and set a tone that encourages healthy dialogue.

8. Delegate liberally. Encourage an atmosphere in which people can focus on their core strengths.

9. Take care of yourself. Exercise, don’t overwork, take a break. A balanced team, mentally and physically, is a successful team. Model it, encourage it, support it!

10. Roll up your sleeves. Like Alexander the Great leading his men into battle, you’ll inspire greatness in your company.




Author’s content used under license, © 2011 Claire Communications 

Top 10 Ways to Cope With Job Transition

Job transitions can be stressful—whether they’re due to layoff, a new job or working extra hours because others workers were laid off. If you’re facing one, consider the following.

1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, skills? How did those influence—positively or negatively—your transition?

2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care now more than ever.

3. Engage your curiosity. What went wrong, or right? What could you have done better? What worked really well?

4. Focus on what you want, and less on what you don’t want. Keep your eye on the prize.

5. Find support. Since your transition affects your family as well, it may be better to seek the outside support of friends or professionals.

6. Work on your thoughts. Calm your fears and reinforce your sense of hope and happiness.

7. Reassure (or avoid) those who are threatened by, or jealous of, the change.

8. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony and ritual help with all transitions.

9. Let go of how things were “supposed to be” and accept “how things are.” Find appreciation for what is.

10. Keep things in perspective. Or try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck. Remember, the only constant is change. 

Author’s content used under license, © 2011 Claire Communications 

Self-Expression vs. Your Hireability

I often caution my job-seeking clients to be hyper-aware of how they present themselves to prospective employers. This includes online identity management (be careful what and where you post), making a good first impression (dress appropriately for the interview), and having a great resume.

Unfortunately, as this food stylist found out, you can express yourself with tattoos... but it may cause you problems.

This tattoo, "Mofo" -- is short for Motherf---er ...

I was talking to a hiring manager a few weeks ago, and it reminded me of the delicate balance between self-expression and a job seeker's hireability. Particularly among Generation Y, self-expression is often done through tattoos and piercings (including tongues, noses, and lips). And while job seekers have the "right" to have tattoos and piercings, employers may not hire them.

This article explains some of the issues related to tattoos, in particular, but more from an employer's point of view. What job-seekers need to know, though, is that even if an employer can't overtly object to tattoos and piercings, the first impression made can be enough to keep you from getting the job.

So when you're interviewing for a job, consider covering up those tattoos and removing the piercings. Your hireability may depend on it. Once you get past the first impression -- and have the chance to win the prospective employer over with your skills, abilities, attitude, and personality, then you can show off your expression.

UNO Job Fair Set for Oct. 12

UNO will host a job fair on Oct. 12. More details here.

Fall 2010 Job Fair 
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom

The Fall 2010 Job Fair will take place on October 12. Students and alumni who are genuinely interested in pursuing employment opportunities in the immediate future are encouraged to attend. Professional attire is expected, and students and alumni should bring copies of their current resume.

Another Internship Leads to a Full-Time Job

My husband likes to watch Flipping Out on Bravo TV and I was reminded when watching this week's episode of the value of internships in the job search.

Trace Lehnhoff interned at Jeff Lewis Designs (JLD) and, upon graduation from interior design school, joined the firm full-time.

Internships can be a great way to get a foot in the door at an employer where you want to work ... and a great way to get experience for the resume as well!

OmahaJobs.com Job Fair - Oct. 19

Omahajobs.com is sponsoring a job fair on Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 1-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central, 72nd and Grover. The event is open to the public, and free parking is available.

Also, I notice a ton of pharmaceutical jobs advertised on their website:
http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?vnet=0&site%5Fid=102&str=26

Networking and "The Power of Who"

In his book, "The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know," author and headhunter Bob Beaudine writes, "Most people never get what they want for three simple reasons."

He goes on to explain the three:

1. They don't ask. No one can help if they don't know what you want. 
2. When they do ask, they ask the wrong people. For some reason, people are uncomfortable asking their "Who" for help. As a result, they'll ask most anyone except their friends, who are the only ones with a motive to help. 
3. When they do ask for help, they ask you vaguely. Even if I'm motivated to help a friend, I can't do it when I don't know what he or she wants.

I find this to be the case for many job seekers. For example, when my clients are networking, they often don't talk to the people who are best suited to help them succeed.

I had a client who worked in the transportation industry and was laid off. After weeks of telling him to make sure that he was talking to his network about his career goal and asking for specific help, he was getting stuck. So I reached out to my network. Within a day, I had an opening at a local company for him to follow up on. When I gave him the information, he said, "Oh. A guy I used to work with works there now." Well then, dude, why didn't you already know about this opening?

Because he didn't ask.