Absolutely not. Stars are needed more than ever before. Case in point: "When times get tough, better performers are in higher demand," says Robert Kelley, author of How to Be a Star at Work (Crown, 1999) and president of Consultants to Executives and Organizations. "The best insurance policy is to be a star contributor."
What constitutes being a star has changed though. Being an expert in one area is no longer enough, says Kelley. You need a real understanding of the company's bottom line, its strategy, and how your expertise can have the most impact. And remember: There's a big difference between being a star and being a diva. "Your goal is to make yourself valuable to your company and to the marketplace," says Kelley. "View your-self as a bundle of assets, and make sure they appreciate in value." Chuck Salter
Dear Reader:
You're not alone. Regardless of whose research you look at, there are millions of vocationally joyless people in this country -- people who are deaf to their true calling. A career pays the bills, and it might help you gain a sense of power and status, but it probably won't fulfill you. Only when you know your calling -- your deepest talents, passions, and values -- can you bring your true sense of self to your work. When you bring all of your strengths to the table, you aren't motivated by external benefits like money or a job title. You are motivated from within -- and you ultimately stand a far better chance of being effective in your work and successful in your career.
If you're thinking about making a job or career change, the first step is to "know thyself." I can't help you figure that out in a letter, but I can give you a one-minute formula to help get you started: G + P + V = your calling. The G stands for your gifts; the P is for passion; and the V equals values. Taken together, they add up to the one thing you love so much that you would do it for free. How do you think about that? First, look at your gifts. I've done strength assessments for more than 30 years, and I can attest that all of us are born with certain core talents. Whether it's creating, or collaborating, or leading, you know your strengths, and chances are, your spouse, or even a trusted colleague, knows them too. Next, think about what you're passionate about. To paraphrase Aristotle: Where your talents and your passions cross, therein lies your calling. If you use your gifts on something that you feel passionate about, you'll put yourself on a pathway to finding your life's work.
But there's a third component to this formula: your values, which is really a code word for environment. People instinctively seek an environment where they know that they will have a full voice in matters of consequence. A place where they don't feel constricted, where they don't have to check themselves at the door. Such a work environment lets them breathe life into their gifts and passions. If you don't find an environment that feeds your soul, all you're left with is a paycheck.
You may think that finding your calling is an unaffordable luxury in this tough business environment. I couldn't disagree more. Excellence is a survival skill, and excellent performers know their core strengths and passions, which they leverage in environments that honor their values. Put them up against people who simply work for status and a paycheck, and who do you think will win?
Sincerely,
Richard Leider
Founding partner of the Inventure Group and author of four books, including the best-seller Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Rest of Your Life (Berrett-Koehler, 1995)
Even at the top B-schools, many graduates are scrambling to get an offer before their loan payments kick in. Peter Degnan, director of MBA Career Management at Wharton, has some advice for anxious grads. First, he says, lose the herd mentality with respect to industry, geography, and salary. "Focus more on experience and opportunity than on location or compensation," he says. Which fields are hot? Health care has been healthy, real estate looks promising, and consumer-product companies are still hiring, especially if you're willing to look beyond the east and west coasts.
Second, says Degnan, be prepared to show a company how you can hit the ground running. That may mean emphasizing prior experience over MBA skills. "Experience coupled with an MBA is what makes the difference."
Third, use your network of students, alumni, colleagues, and friends. But be savvy about it, he advises. Focus on building relationships, not simply pleading for a job.
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