Career Tear

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Stumbling Upon Achievement

Posted by Stephanie Robertson on November 9th, 2009

We all have seen it. The colleague who has worked their way up the ladder by the skin of their teeth. The student who completed school within an inch of graduating. The musical one hit wonder that is an overnight success. How simple is accidental success?

Accidental Achievements

From the onset accidental achievements appear to be deserved and well intended. On the contrary, accidental achievements are often unconvincing and lack a natural progression toward a specific goal. Accidentally on purposes are unplanned and their flaws lie within the expected qualities of preparation, gratitude and vision.

Reality television is a shining example of accidental achievement. Participants take a chance doing something daring and fun that would guarantee them fifteen minutes of fame, but the result was unplanned and unexpected. Essentially they fell into the lap of achievement. Although they have discovered ways to extend their fifteen minutes to twenty their accidental achievement is marked by unpopular motives. With the emergence of social media we have cultivated masses of accidental achievers. Their success is surprising to them and they feel overwhelmed by the attention of their short term efforts. Their staged gratitude is revealed at intervals of successful results. The truth of the quote centered on a low man raised to a high position reinforces the value that accidental achievement goes only so far.

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The Faith of “Can”

Posted by Stephanie Robertson on October 27th, 2009

There is no greater story that exemplifies the passion of “I Can” more versed than “The Little Engine That Could” animated parable.

A little railroad engine was employed by a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill “I can’t; that is too much a pull for me,” said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. “I think I can,” puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, “I–think–I–can, I–think–I–can.” It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, “I thought I could, I thought I could.”

The Little Engine Interpretation

What did the Little Engine have to lose by trying? He was already smaller in stature and rank. He overheard the rejections of the stronger engines and knew this was his opportunity to prove himself. His strength lied in his determination to be greater when the obstacles of circumstance were in opposition. Never once did the tale suggest that the Little Engine needed time to decide if he was going to take action. He witnessed idle execution by others and immediately initiated a course of self-motivation. Certainly the other more powerful engines would have accepted the challenge had they known that their worth would later be compromised.

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The Death of “Can’t”

Posted by Stephanie Robertson on October 19th, 2009

I experienced an overload of “can’t” while at the bank this past Saturday. Through no fault of my own, the banking service was down and I was unable to initiate a transaction due to system malfunction. Surely there was a solution to extracting my funds from the hostage of the bank. After waiting, I attempted to explain the situation to the Assistant Branch Manager. Even before I was able to communicate my problem she said “I can’t do anything. If the system is down it is down.” I knew that with immediacy she was setting up a perimeter of resistance. I noticed that she lacked the attitude to offer an alternative. Within a short period of time I counted 11 times that she said “I can’t.” I was so frustrated that she lacked the empathy and willingness to fix the problem that I remarked “You have spent so much time emphasizing what you can’t do that I want you to now spend the same amount of time focusing on what you can do.” Without hesitation she said “I can’t do anything.” That made 12 times. Her mind would not allow her to shift to a level of customer service satisfaction that she could be proud of. She is now in the Career Tier Hall of Fame for the most “I cant’s” in 5 minutes and has earned the distinction of being the inspiration for this blog.

What “Can’t” Really Means

Repeating the phrase “can’t” diminishes your authority to solve a problem. By emphasizing “can’t” you are contributing to the declaration of the dilemma. One relinquishes the power to change an outcome simply by blocking an opportunity to present a solution. Your effectiveness is severely crippled by your belief that this situation is unsolvable within your standards. The word “can’t” weakens your strength and questions your value.

The Customers Interpretation

When you say “can’t” the customer hears “no” and “won’t.” “Can’t” does not always translate to inability. It often times signals that your attitude to be inconvenienced is more important than your attitude of service. A customer will view your absence of cooperation as poor customer service. Even if you are unable to appropriately address a customer’s dilemma, presenting a more cooperative and positive response will garner the respect and maintain the loyalty of the customer.

Your Value to an Organization

When I encounter the quick “I can’t” I automatically begin to question the true value that person has to an organization. I commonly think “Then what did they hire you for?” If I [as a customer] have the same power as you [who is a representative of the company] then I rationalize that your value within the organization is compromised. If a representative of the company does not have the influence to keep a customer or bring in new customers based on their level of customer service then what value is that individual to the productivity and reputation of the organization? Your ability to solve problems and produce exceptional customer service is solely based on your attitude of “I can.” When you say “I can’t” you are proving, with conviction, that you are dispensable.

How Far “Can’t” Goes

Can’t deflects responsibility
Can’t reinforces pessimism
Can’t says “I won’t”
Can’t prevents change
Can’t exposes deficiencies
Can’t is unproductive
Can’t blocks opportunity
Can’t lives in isolation
Can’t misses chances
Can’t builds walls
Can’t burn bridges
Can’t refuses
Can’t ignores

Thanks to the Assistant Branch Manager, I have written 5 blogs based on the substandard service that I received. The 15+ minutes that we shared bonding over “can’t” has sparked a standard of customer service awareness that will continue to inspire me beyond the “I can’t” blog series.

This month in the “I Can’t” blog series

Focus on “Can” – October 23, 2009
Offer Alternatives – October 30, 2009
Adopt a New Attitude – November 02, 2009

Here’s to Your Success!

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Signs of a Success Addict

Posted by Stephanie Robertson on October 15th, 2009

How to Spot the Signs:

An addict will attempt to achieve success through impossible feats. They will break all man-made barriers in hopes of achieving a dream. Their determined spirit defies the logic of all doubters permanently silencing their negative remarks. They have established goals both of long and short duration and have the nerve of surpassing everyone’s expectations when they are accomplished. They spend long hours in a hollowed daze dreaming of fulfillment. They are completely disconnected with the fear of failure. They ignore all obvious warning signs of discontent, low self-esteem and laziness. They become fidgety when they sit idle for too long. They pace the floor emerged with ideas of change, prosperity and growth. Most disturbingly, they isolate themselves from unproductive friends and family in an effort to continue their dependence. They are relentless in their pursuit of a life fueled with their craving. They have not yet realized that there is another way. They simply can not kick the habit.

Here’s How to Help:

You be the example! Live your life in the exact opposite manner. Choose not to be the leader and stand proudly in the shoes of complacency. Whisper lies of negativity and discouragement until their success addiction reaches a height of perfection. Refuse to supply the support needed to continue their abuse. Allow them to get what they need from another more reliable source. At least the guilt of their addiction won’t be on your hands. If all else fails pretend to be on their side at least one time and convince them that you want the best for them. Then at the most inopportune time stage an intervention. Gather together other like-minded back-biters, defamers and non-supporters to put a stop to the nonsense immediately. Openly express how disappointed you are at that the path they chose and sympathetically suggest that you can help to correct their mistakes. Remind them of the support that you haven’t given them from the start. If they physically attempt to overpower your strengths hold them down. Hold them down to prevent them from hurting themselves. Hold them down to prevent them from hurting those around them. Hold them down until they just can’t succeed anymore.

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The Role of A Goalie

Posted by Stephanie Robertson on October 5th, 2009

I am always fascinated with the structure of accomplishment. I know that accomplishment is not happenstance, but rather a willful acknowledgement of persistence and a plan of unyielding action that is set forth. Where does it derive? It does so with the identification of goals and is achieved with the implementation. Examine, closely, the role of a professional goalie.

Achievement

The Value of a Goalie

“Goalies are valuable members of the team in a number of different sports.”

From the onset we know that the role of a goalie is deemed a valuable asset even before the goalie is personally selected. By structure, the goalie is essential to the team no matter what cross-function of athletics.

Defending the Team

“Sometimes referred to as a goaltender or a netminder, the usual role of the goalie is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by defending and deflecting any attempts to access the goal.”

The success of the goalie is achieved by his/her ability to protect the goal and thus the team’s interest. It is then reasoned that the strength of the goalie lies within the tenacity of defending the team’s vision through skilled and purposeful action. Taking the focus off the goal could prove fatal for the goalie.

Protecting the Goal

“From this perspective, the goalie can be seen as the keeper of the goal, empowered to perform a set type of movements in order to protect the goal from being breached by the opposing team.”

One of the most integral aspects of the game is ensuring that the goal is in no way breached through deliberate interference from the opposing side. A favorable attempt would compromise the success of the team.

The Difference

“The work of the goalie has been known to make all the difference in the outcome of a game.”

The outcome of the game is solely dependent on the effectiveness of the goalie. Opposing distractions could instantaneously lead to the team’s defeat, if allowed.

Creating Opportunities to Win

“Goalkeepers who are especially proficient about deflecting the completion of a scoring move by the opposite team not only help to keep the point spread somewhat low during the event, but also often are able to create set ups on the playing field that provide the team with a chance to reverse the course of play and possibly score against the opposing team.”

A goalie is not limited to defending the goal, but creating new opportunities to set up plays that provide the team a chance for victory.

What would the art of athletics be without a concise defender of the team’s goal? The performance of the goalie determines the outcome of the game. There are other members of the team who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the organization, but none more crucial than the goalie.

_______________

Who is the goalie in your life? Who protects your vision and promotes your dreams? Who is the person designated to ensure your victory through a score of action and results? Shouldn’t it be you?

Begin Within:

What are your goals?
Have you written your goals down?
Have you posted your goals in plain sight to view daily?
Who holds you accountable for achieving your goals?
Have you cultivated a blazing team of achievers to help you reach your goals?
Have you established a clear plan of action to achieve your goals?
Have you vocalized your goals?
Are your goals specific?
Are your goals achievable?
Have you removed distractions that would prevent you from pursuing your goals?
Have you eliminated relationships that do not support your goals?

Stephanie’s Side note

You are the protector of your goals. Surround yourself with influences that immediately support your direction. The shortest distance between you and your goal is relationships. The longest distance between you and your goal is relationships.

Insightful definitions (as appears in color only) provided by wisegeek.com.

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