Where Are You Headed?

Have you taken the time to establish both your career objectives and personal goals? If not, why not? Do you have any idea where you want to be five years from now? Where do you hope to be by the end of your career? What are your goals for this next year?

Goals are essential but the most important part of career planning is to do a good job at what you are assigned right now. Then, things have a way of falling into place assuming that you have taken the time to decide upon your personal and career goals.

A career goal might be to become the division President some day. In order to get there, you may conclude that you need some specific assignments such as corporate experience, multi-location exposure, or international experience. Likewise, you may conclude that your functional skills need to be better rounded so you should seek assignments that will enable you to broaden your base. The important thing is to set some career goals for yourself and monitor them occasionally.

Lastly, personal goals are important for day to day success. They may include things such as improving your speaking ability, becoming more dynamic, improving your relationships with the people in your organization, becoming a better listener, learning to think before reacting, etc. I force myself to keep a list of 100 wild and crazy things that I want to accomplish before I die. I refresh it annually and it is surprising how many I can check off the list.

The combination of career objectives and personal goals are a powerful combination. Try doing both and you will soon benefit from the exercise.

"What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate"

Communication. Few find it easy. Most find it very difficult. Being an effective communicator is what separates the stars from the also rans.

Failure to communicate effectively can usually be found at the core of most people issues. Wars. Marital difficulties. Executive derailing. Failure to take on a supervisory role. Interpersonal difficulties with the boss or leadership team. Not being able to voice your ideas.

The other interesting thing is that we communicate differently under stress. We may become more blunt or meek. More direct or more oblique. We may become louder than normal or quieter than normal. We may be so stressed that we can't even think clearly or speak at all. To further illustrate the complexities, four different elements come into play when we talk about communication.

Some tend to think of communication as the ability to deliver effective speeches. While that is a part of being an effective communicator, it is only one part. Actually, oral communication is more descriptive than speaking. The ability to talk with people at all levels----upward, sideways, and downward in the organization is what sets managers apart. Some are good with the boss. Some are good with their staff. Some are good with their peers. Few are good in all directions.

Writing effectively is essential for those who wish to progress upward. Reading and understanding is also essential for those in senior management positions because the volume of paper crossing their desks or computer screens is astounding. The fourth leg and the one often overlooked is perhaps the most important element of managerial communication. Listening. An effective leader has to be an outstanding listener. This cannot be faked because everyone knows whether or not you are really listening. Everyone. Yet, listening is the most ignored element of communication. It is also a very common weakness in the executive ranks.

In my coaching practice, listening is the one ingredient of communication that requires the most work by my clients. We refer to effective listening as generous listening. To illustrate---When someone comes into your office and wants your time, you should put your pen or mouse down, face then squarely, look them in the eye and give them your undivided attention. Generous listening. Your people deserve it. They know you are busy and they therefore are reluctant to disturb you in the first place. When they do it is usually for something very important to them. Give them the attention that they need and focus on their every word.

So, the four legs of effective communication are oral, reading, writing, and listening. It is the rare executive who is good in all four. Yet those are the ones that rise to the top. Remember too that each element is impacted by the amount of stress that you are experiencing. The good news is that all four elements can be improved regardless of your current status in life.

The Most Difficult Place To Do Business

Where is the most difficult country to do business? Of course it is impossible to answer this question since we are all different. What is difficult for me because of language or cultural differences may be easy for you because you are fluent in the language and have a vast knowledge of the culture.

Lets eliminate war zone areas such as Iraq immediately since they would not even make the initial cut. It is virtually impossible to do business during a time when a country is experiencing strife. Outside of those areas, from my personal experience, Nigeria wins the prize as the most difficult place to do business. Not only are the language and culture vastly different than what most westerners are used to, their ethics, transportation system, communication system, and inability to make things work make it tough for anyone to do business there. There is still a large amount of corruption throughout business and government plus pirating of goods in the Port of Lagos and aboard trains and trucks goes on daily. No other country comes close to Nigeria. They are the winners hands down.

I found China to be difficult because of its vastness and lack of English in some locations. This is quickly changing however due to the upcoming Olympics. South Korea is tough because of its proximity to North Korea. Japan because of its unique language and customs both of which are unknown to most westerners. Most Japanese can speak English and they have a distinct advantage over most competitors for that reason. Thailand is also difficult because of its alphabet and customs. The Thai people are wonderful however and make excellent employees.

Where have you had the most difficulty doing business? My vote goes to Nigeria.