Word-Of-the-Week #1068: Talent
February 6, 2025 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #1068: Talent
Talent – a special, often creative natural ability or aptitude.
Does your job make you excited to wake up each morning and go to work? What job would you want if there were no parameters?
This week features excerpts from Phil Blair, “Finding your gifts that let you dream big about your career.”
“When it’s time to change jobs, that can be your choice or your employer’s.
No matter what, the worst reaction would be saying to yourself, “I don’t know what I do want to do.”
The second worst is, “I’ll do anything.”
To which I say, “Every person has unique gifts, and these gifts give him or her the power and the opportunity to accomplish great things, if he or she learns how to use those gifts and channel them in the right direction.”
I wish it was my quote, but it’s from Zig Ziegler in his book “Born to Win.”
At times, it can seem like everybody else knows more than we do. They appear to have a job they like, a successful career path, or at least a career plan. They know what they want to do. They also know what makes them happy in their job, at least for now.
But workplace situations can change very quickly, sometimes when you least expect it. The trick is to be prepared for what’s next.
My favorite exercise with clients who are wondering what to do next is play-acting the game of “What’s Your Ideal Job.”
What job would you want if there were no parameters? No education level, experience, location, salary, comp package, or anything else.
Over the years, I’ve found that my biggest challenge is getting attendees to think big — really big.
- A practical choice
In a recent session, one of my middle-aged clients told me he wanted to be a warehouse manager, a very practical choice for him. But I wanted him to dream bigger, so I countered with “How about CEO of FedEx?”
He surprised himself by saying, “Sure, that’d be great,” which is what I hoped he’d say.
It’s best to do this with a small group of people who know you, but maybe not enough to have preconceived ideas about what’s best for you.
The first few questions are, why would this be your ideal job? And what are the aspects of the job that most attract you?
- Helping new and interesting people
I gravitated to being an HR entrepreneur. My favorite parts of my job are still sales, marketing, staff development, and meeting new and interesting people.
If you’re looking for a job, write down your top four career paths in pencil, so you can change them at any time.
That way, you’re proactively working toward finding what career will make you happiest, and how to get there. You’re excited and focused, yet continually flexible.
After one of our recent paddleball matches, a friend parroted back to me my mantra of finding a career that makes you excited to wake up each morning and go to work.
That needs to be your goal, too.
Not “I don’t know” or “I’ll do anything.”
This week’s focus is on career. Are you thinking of changing jobs? Do you know what your special talents are? What would your ideal career be?
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Word-Of-the-Week #763: Talent
March 21, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #763: Talent
Talent – possessing an innate ability, aptitude, or faculty for accomplishment.
How adept are you at finding a better or easier way to accomplish tasks at work? Are you receptive to new ideas from someone much younger than you?
This week’s WOW comes from long time friend Joe who had this to say about working with younger generations.
“What I have enjoyed most about younger workers I have dealt with over the years is that they are very adept at finding better and easier ways to accomplish tasks in the workplace.
Their grasp of the potential of technology in the workplace has helped save time, energy and money.
As much as they want to progress in their careers, they have a realization that it is just a job and it does not define them. Also, they realize that this is not going to be the only job they work in their lives, so if things don’t work out they will go someplace else.
Now, that does not please a lot of old school employers who expect conformity in every aspect of the job. Younger workers like flexibility so that they can give their best in the time they are in the office.
The young people I have worked with, in a number of cases 18 to 20 years younger than I, still had a respect for the knowledge and experience I brought to the table and they were not afraid to ask questions.
Employers have to realize that they can’t be demanding in the workplace or they will continue to lose good, young talent.
And it is the good, young talent that invigorates workplaces and keeps them competitive for the future.”
This week’s focus is on talent. Do you fully grasp the potential of technology in your workplace? Have you lost good workers because management was too demanding? How flexible is the company you work for?
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Word Of the Week #554: Talent
March 19, 2015 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #554: Talent
Talent – possessing an innate ability, aptitude, or faculty for accomplishment.
Do you want to be more successful at work? Do you have a desire to be promoted to a higher position or move to a different company? What talents do you think you possess to help you achieve that?
This week’s WOW comes from Henry DeVries UT article titled, “3 key characteristics of talented employees.” He writes, “No matter what the job, there are certain qualities that all top-performing talent share, according to the owner of one of San Diego’s largest employers and the author of a popular book for those starting out or starting over in a career.”
“These are success skills applicable to almost any kind of work. They’re portable. You can take them with you from job to job. Master them and you are master of your fate,” says Phil Blair, co-owner of Manpower San Diego. He is the author of “Job Won! 500,000 Hires and Counting.”
His firm is San Diego’s fourth largest for-profit employer, providing about 3,500 jobs daily. 
According to Blair, here are three ways to be the talent that companies crave:
- Look and act promotable. You’ve got a job, but unless you plan to make it the last job you ever have, think long-term. Act like you’re a man or woman on a mission, always prepared to take the next step, to take your career to the next level. Dress accordingly. In fact, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Showcase your work when you can. Go above and beyond.
- Create value in everything you do. Don’t just cross things off a to-do list. If you have a job to do, do it well. Commit your best effort to all tasks, large and small. That might be challenging at times, but people notice.
- Be resourceful. Think outside the box. If you’re doing a job and you see a better way to do it, speak up (in a polite, respectful way). Anticipate problems and find answers before they’re needed. Don’t be afraid to do a little legwork, a little sweating before it’s necessary. It will always pay off.
A bonus tip from Blair: Always offer to work with key customers. “They are your magic carpet to being invaluable to your company,” says Blair. “If the company’s largest customer loves you, your boss will love you too.”
This week’s focus is on the talent you bring. Are you willing to go above and beyond what is expected of you? Do you put forth your best effort no matter how large or small the job assignment is? Are you able to anticipate problems and find answers before they’re needed?
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