I had a nice talk with one of my sons who is making a significant professional move. We talked about what's involved and what's important. As we discussed the potential avenues for this move, I found myself thinking about my professional career. In so many ways, I am happy that I was committed to some basic, good principals of effective effort. Of course, there were some unintentional missteps, and I shared those with my son too. In general, these points were emphasized in our discussion.
Be as respectful, kind, and nice as you can be to everyone
In my career, while I valued this principle, I didn't always live up to it. Having analyzed the situation, I know why, and for the most part, I simply did not know how to effectively advocate for what I believed to be right and good when someone was standing in my way. In time, I learned a lot about how to do this, and as I learned it was much easier to be respectful, kind, and nice to everyone while also holding my ground with significant, meaningful issues.
You never know how life is going to play out. That person who is debating you and standing in your way, may be your closest colleague at another point or that person who you disagree with now may hold the key to an important next step for you in the future. It's okay to disagree and hold your ground, but it's not okay to treat others with disrespect or contempt. And remember, when you're looking for the next step, it will be the people you work with today that will write your recommendations.
A little for today and a little for tomorrow
In every endeavor, it is good to do what you have to do today with as much excellence as possible and work for tomorrow too by staying abreast of the field via research, collaboration, trying out new ideas, reflection and more.
Keep a record
Keeping a daily record of your efforts including your wins, losses, ideas, and other thoughts is a terrific routine that leads to success. When you have a record, you have good information to reflect on and use as you build your expertise. You also have the data you need to substantiate a promotion, innovation, or understand a potential error or misstep. The practice of keeping a professional journal of daily wins, efforts, and statistics will help you to be a more successful individual.
Interview often
I learned this tip from an education colleague. He applied for new jobs regularly and interviewed for those jobs. He noted that this practice kept him aware of what was out there and what was expected. This practice helped him to value the job he had and hone his skills and abilities for future jobs too. This is a good practice for any professional.
Have some long term goals
It's good to understand the fields you are entering as well as how you might develop your professional abilities and efforts over time. Talking to people at various levels of your chosen fields is one way to help you create long term goals. Of course reading and learning are other ways to gain a more skilled ability to move ahead in your profession. Staying too long in the same role may obstruct the chances you have to make a greater impact in your field, so it's good to find ways to move ahead in your chosen field.
Be aware of the headline news of your efforts
When tough decisions rose in my profession, I always thought about the headline news of my choice. Often it came down to the headline, Teacher Helps Child. At times to simply do what was right to help a child was difficult due to the politics and structure of school so when I took the leap to do what was right, I had to be brave and think of that headline. I could live with that headline, but I could not live with a headline that read, Teacher Follows Strict Policies and Ignores Children. Sometimes policies were not in the best interests of a child a need as rarely does a too-tight policy match all the needs and interests children bring to school. In any life situation, it's good to consider the headline of your actions and choose actions that garner the most humane, beneficial headline possible.
Treat all people with dignity
Don't reserve dignity for people with the highest titles and salaries, but instead make sure you treat everyone at the work place with as much dignity as possible. Know your co-workers names and make time to be friendly and helpful.
You don't have to do or be all things
It's easy to be overwhelmed in any life endeavor and that's true if you think you have to do it all. One wise colleague of mine always contributed something--she was present and helpful knowing that something was better than nothing. This is a good practice because none of us are superhuman and no one can do or be all things.
Work hard and always do a little extra
There's great satisfaction in working hard and great capacity when you always do a little more than you're asked to do.
Enjoy life
When you are all work and no play, you become dull and cranky. No one likes to work with people like that, and people like that are generally less effective. Make time to enjoy life. Recreate, invest in hobbies, and build relationships outside of the workplace.
Privacy matters; build professional relationships at work, not personal relationships
It's a mistake to think that the workplace is your family. Instead remember that the workplace is a professional and competitive environment. You can share some highlights from your personal life, but I do think it's best to keep your personal life mostly separate from your professional life. You can go out to lunch with your boss, but in general, it's best not to mix your personal recreation with your professional pursuits. At work, focus on work, and at work, build strong, respectful, generous professional relationships, not personal relationships. Of course, there will be times when this can't happen, but in general it's a good policy to keep.
Be brave for the right people and right reasons
Sometimes in your professional life, you have to be brave and stick up for what is right and good when the work place may not promote that. I've been thinking about that in light of the Ukrainian crisis. How difficult it must be to be President Biden now. On one hand he doesn't want to risk making this conflict World War III. He knows he's dealing with madman Putin who is feeling cornered right now since he clearly made the wrong choice invading Ukraine, killing innocent people, and destroying the results of so much hard work and good living. As a military mom, I appreciate Biden's cautious and collaborative approach--I don't want to start an even bigger war, yet on the other hand, there's a madman on the loose who is causing grave danger, massacre, and worldwide conflict. This madman and his cronies must be stopped. As President, it is best to work with other likeminded world leaders and experts to figure out a path to stop the carnage, end the war, and promote as much good living and freedom throughout the world as possible using as much peaceful means as possible. Making the right choice here is a courageous, calculated, and collaborative endeavor.
In every work place, there will be challenges. Thankfully most won't come near the challenge President Biden faces right now. Yet, when those challenges strike, it is good to be courageous, calculated, and collaborative--that will help you to make the best choices and do what is right and good. In Massachusetts, Governor Baker has faced some mighty challenges during his tenure, and he has done a great job with a focus on humanity, working with experts, and prioritizing what has to happen first to save and better lives. He has been tireless in these efforts including the response to the pandemic and a terrible gas leak crisis in the state at one time.
In every job, we are leaders, and as leaders we have to always do our best possible work in humane, respectful ways because when it's all over, we want to move forward with the satisfaction that we did our best work with the skills, knowledge, colleagues, and capacity we had. Onward.