Attitude is Key

I read recently in a newsletter produced by Nova 100 (http://www.nova100.de/) about attitude making all the difference. Since I agree with much said in that newsletter, I wanted to highlight the consensus here:

"It doesn't matter how intelligent, creative, or experienced you are, not really, it is the attitude that makes the difference."

This is true for so many situations. However, I would weigh in that intelligence and creativity are good additions to your merit list, as well as experience. I would also very many times look at motivation level and service mindedness - especially for roles closer to the customer base.

But I do agree with that attitude is key. If you think you are the best and most brilliant engineer in the world that has ever existed - that may be true - but if your attitude is not cooperative, sharing, and helping others, well then you wouldn't be much of an asset for any company that plans to scale. And you may be the most savvy sales person in the world, and really gets the money, but if you don't really care about your customers and how they progress over time, there will be no long-term relationships and scale for a company, and you wouldn't get my recommendations.

The attitude on how to tackle difficult times, as well as difficult problems. The attitude around everyday conflicts in a relationship. The attitude towards change and life adventures. The attitude towards loss and pain.

It is said that life is 10% interesting events and 90% around how you face and handle these events. I think I agree. It is some key analysis to be made for people who keep on viewing the world with dark shades. I am not saying you need to become Mr or Mrs perky super-optimistic. I am just encouraging to ALLOW and to EMBRACE. And to LET GO. The people I have met in my path that are the easiest to work with, the most appreciated friends and colleagues, and the people that are the strongest leaders that help people grow around them, are the ones with an attitude that views the world realistically: for what it is, but then makes the most out of it.

Let your attitude make your life easier, as it is difficult enough as it is.

Top List

I got the question a week ago: What are your best career tips? The question was asked by an intern at our company. I gave the advise of always networking, select a few mentors, try different assignments, and focus on growth/learning, but when I came home later that day, I decided to really think it through. And here they are, my top five list:

1. Choose your manager - if the current one does not help you grow or see you/your contributions, try to present your achievements to another manager, or the manager one step above... If this is not possible, it is time to seriously consider changing jobs. If the manager does not see you, listen to you, or acknowledge your contributions as well as needs, how will you ever grow and learn in this position?

2. Never believe "it is the way it is" or "there is nothing we can do" or "because this is the way we have always done it". Believe me when I say: there is _always_ another way! Don't let other people tell you what you can or can't do. Don't let other people's fears, failure, or limitations limit what you want to do or your creativity. Yes, you should listen to experience and advice. But if I had followed the rules or listened to the "what if this happens if you do that" or "you can't do that", then I would never have been where I am today.

3. Focus on what you are good at - that will lead to excellent results and good self esteem. You can practise on your weaknesses outside the spotlight, but always present what you did great (and absolutely no excuses for yourself!) Seriously, too many people work on improving their "improvement areas", but do you see many successful people focused on their weak sides?

4. Believe that you are worth more!! Don't ever compromise on your integrity. I have lost some really good deals and negotiations the few times I have doubted myself. Never ever compromise on your self-worth! You are worth it. And more!

5. Choose words like "I want to develop" or "I am ready for new challenges" in your performance evaluation discussions - that will signal you are ready for a promotion or new assignments. Much more effective than to for instance hint that you have other offers or that you are not happy in your situation... Paint the vision, and the vision will become true.

And then a bonus principle I have taken with me from one of my mentors:

"You either win or you learn."

Feel free to add your own career tips to this blog entry.

A Good Start

I am starting this blog as I myself need a new start. I have had a long career with the same company for many years now. Well, the company has changed - through acquisitions and growth - so it feels like many different companies. But really it has been the same. The same technology. The same conflicts, just different people and different magnitudes.

I tried quite a few different roles. Worked with different people and various products. Worked on different continents. I would claim I have gone from a rookie to a pretty experienced person with a career that many of my friends from back home admire (or envy?). I don't feel like I am bragging, as I have deserved every inch of my working success. On my way I have met many challenges. But I want to feel like I can say with pride and no judgement from others that I am capable and accomplished. That I in some areas and by many people would be seen as a very successful lady.

However, it always feels strange to say this. Why? When I started questioning the reason, I ended up with the answer that it is because I have never been allowed to feel really really good about what I do. More is always expected. There is not much slack given. Or much cred.

I know that me, as many of my female friends, am in great need of acknowledgement and encourragement. I would love to state that we all need this, but I fail to see that is the shown reality. I see that women tend to need the verbal connection and reinforcement more.

And maybe this is the reason, or one of the many reasons and observations, to why I am starting this blog. I want to encourrage women out there that they can do it. You can do whatever you want. You are capable. It is only your own reinforced thoughts and fears that are limiting. Old patterns from traditional roles and expectations. From a male dominated social structure, that has been influenced by male thinking.

And don't get me wrong here. I am not saying male thinking is wrong in any way. I am just stating it is different. Based on valid biological differences. And hence the thought processes are different. The structures out there in the working place have mainly been constructed by male thought process. And that is why it sometimes feels so hard tough and impossible or unfair. Because it is a missmatch.

I suggest we create this blog together. To build better confidence in that we are not alone in our sometimes despair like feelings and situations. There are so many others who have felt the same hopelessness and fear or inequality. I hope you are with me on this. I want to make a difference. I want to make a new start. I want to make you believe, as I do believe, that you can do it!

You can do it.