Stop wasting your time waiting for the Corporate American shift…it’s well underway.
New reports show thirty percent of today’s workforce hails from the halls of independent contractors, self driven leaders doing it from former bedrooms, old warehouses and garages. A life of freedom is being felt; the daily quake is rocking the Richter scale built to protect the three walls of the pyramid building process of big business.
Its current life support doesn’t feel fear, not until average Joe and Cousin Sally find comfort in the idea of living life without benefits—paid vacations, sick leave, dental plans and approachable co-pays at the doctor’s office. According to business insiders tracking the fields of everyday change, the only reason why there isn’t more solo American projects penetrating the extremely sluggish economy is due to the high cost of insurance.
Dangerous are the games new company owners are playing by electing not to participate with protection. Take a good look…the only thing not getting older are the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift. So what gives? When does this become a win win situation for all parties involved?
Business psychologist Andrea Kay believes its time to start leading your career development with your nose. She doesn’t mean up your nose like the 80’s but to constantly sniff out your own possibilities of growth. Take it completely out of the hands of those governing the ship.
Nearly seventy percent of those recently surveyed believe companies offer nothing in the way of opportunities and today’s bosses refuse to discuss career development. While some say this is a trend, Michael Jalbert who fronts the MRIN Network doesn’t water down the sport when he says, “It’s the employee’s responsibility to move ahead not the department head. Bosses are not in the business to give you the time of day.”
Your career development belongs in the hands of the person wanting you to succeed.
The signals you send might showcase independence in the mirror to which you attempt to look through but to a boss such a display is reason for them to begin searching for newer people to support their efforts of success.
The 2007 Writers Strike that plagued Hollywood and Broadway wasn’t about making more money—those who put the words in between the lips of each and every actor and actress wanted nothing more than R. E. S. P. E. C. T. By suddenly shutting themselves off it became clear to the pyramid owners that a profit building monster doesn’t just happen—it requires a team of players that stretch all the way down to the bathroom cleanup crew.
Constantly the news media spoke of writers wanting their share of the dollars made on websites, reruns and soon to be featured thirty minute sitcoms and presentations on You Tube, I-pods and phones and the soon to be the Zune with its HD Radio. That’s about 80% true. The imaginations belonging to the most invisible people on earth—the writers only wanted to be credited for their efforts. To be seen as well as heard.
When Keith Hawthorne exclaims, “I’m the man! I’m the man! I’m the truck, truck, truck man…” he never publicly gives credit to the writer…me, the same person who developed his Hyundai approach, “What day is it? Everyday is a great day to buy a Hyundai.” That doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy…he’s the opposite! Keith’s approach to selling cars via the radio is highly respected because he takes care of every department involved in making his process work.
Does this mean Keith is responsible for furthering my voiceover and writing career? I would never think of placing such a burden on his already busy life and style.
It’s no different than your daily adventure within the gray shades of the cubical world—picking up and growing shouldn’t be left in the heart the people you’re currently dancing with. Through job description you’re paid to have the ball hiked to you then work your way through a large group of tacklers with extremely high hopes of tossing it to a co-worker who happened to make it down the field. If your passes are intercepted and or you can’t seem to stop fumbling the ball…the unwritten common law is simple…you’re sitting on the bench.
So how does one expect to get better if having an avenue of open communication is more outdated than mood rings and Leif Garrett? Yearly reviews are extremely over researched and the answers shared are what I call butter-cupping. They take you down; to build you right back up. Constructive criticism is a legal license to talk about anything while hopefully being politically correct. And that's where you have to really listen and not hap heartedly.
Your goal is to hear to the message and pick up on hidden agendas they want to put into play. Locate your strength, discover if you really are slacking a tight bit and build a new bridge to an area that you’ve sheltered out of fear of being hurt. Why give a company your 100% if all they’re going to do is hand it off to Mike the Mediator whose just trying to keep his job too?
I’ll never forget the year a radio station GM described me as being melancholy. I must have looked that word up three hundred times, whatever it took to better see as well as understand what shape of poetry he was using when painting a picture of one of the most anal people you’ll ever meet in radio. Finally after three long weeks of dealing with it…I signed the review and under my name I wrote, “Anything but melancholy.”
Lesson learned here: Don’t wait for your boss to approach you about your job performance. If you’re seeking personal growth, you make the move on how to improve.
If your department head calls you melancholy, don’t ever wait three weeks then think you’re protesting in silence. Now you’ve showcased a reason for them to think you’re disgruntled.
Always put your comments on paper…not an email or text. Agree or disagree, always leave a paper trail.
On your time, not your company’s hours…locate newer ways to improve and develop your skills as a professional. Community Colleges are absolutely the best place to find new paths to chase. There’s a new horizon waiting for you everyday.
Experience is no longer job security…learning how to fly over valley’s protects the life you love and all the dots connected.
Steal my art…
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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