Great Work Great Career

1. Define Your Contribution: The Foundation of a Great Career

A person with a great career makes a distinctive contribution and generates a strong feeling of loyalty and trust in others.

What is a great career? It's not just about money or power, but about making a distinctive contribution and earning the loyalty and trust of others. This definition shifts the focus from external validation to internal satisfaction and meaningful impact. It's about finding your unique "what" and "how" – what you contribute and how you contribute it.

Distinctive contribution. This is the "what" of your career, stemming from your unique talents and passions. It's what you alone can create, regardless of your job title. It's about identifying your unique blend of skills, experiences, and interests to create something valuable.

Loyalty and trust. This is the "how" of your career, born from your character and conscience. It's about doing what you know is right, in the right way. It's the fruit of your integrity and ethical behavior, leading to strong relationships and a positive reputation.

2. Unleash Your Potential: Know Your Strengths

Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being.

Tap into hidden reserves. Many people are underutilized in their jobs, not allowed to use their full potential. Recognizing and leveraging your strengths is key to breaking out of this restricted circle. It's about identifying your unique talents, passions, and conscience and finding ways to apply them in your work.

Talents, passion, and conscience. These three elements form the core of your strengths. Talents are your natural abilities and skills. Passion is what energizes and fulfills you. Conscience is your moral compass, guiding you to do what's right.

Shift your paradigm. Move from an Industrial Age mindset ("I am my function") to a Knowledge Age mindset ("I make a significant contribution"). This shift empowers you to see yourself as a problem solver with a unique portfolio of strengths, rather than just a cog in a machine.

3. Discover Your Cause: Volunteer, Don't Just Work

Where an employee has a job description, a volunteer has a cause.

From job to cause. Shift your perspective from "getting a job" to "volunteering for a cause." A job is something you do for money, while a cause is something you believe in. This mindset change ignites passion and purpose in your work.

The volunteer mindset. A volunteer is driven by internal motivation and a desire to serve a cause. They are proactive, energetic, and committed. They don't wait to be told what to do; they seek out problems and find solutions.

Abundance vs. scarcity. Adopt an abundance paradigm, seeing opportunities everywhere, rather than a scarcity paradigm, focusing on limitations. This mindset shift opens you up to new possibilities and empowers you to create your own future.

4. Become a Solution Provider: Solve Problems, Don't Just Find Them

Your employer or prospective employer doesn’t lack problems to solve and challenges to meet.

The solution mindset. Employers are looking for solutions to their problems, not just more problems. Adopt a solution mindset, focusing on how you can help your employer overcome their challenges. This makes you invaluable.

Research is key. Thoroughly research the company, its industry, and its challenges. Understand their financial situation, competitive landscape, and strategic priorities. This knowledge allows you to tailor your approach and offer relevant solutions.

The Need-Opportunity Presentation. Instead of a traditional job interview, aim for a Need-Opportunity presentation. Clearly define the problem, quantify its impact, and present your solution with measurable results. This demonstrates your understanding and value.

5. The Power of the Trim Tab: Small Actions, Big Impact

You are the creative force of your own job and life.

The trim tab principle. Even small actions can have a significant impact. Like a trim tab on a ship's rudder, your small contributions can steer the organization in a new direction. Focus on what you can do, even if it's outside your job description.

Overcome powerlessness. Many people feel disengaged and powerless to change anything at work. The trim tab principle empowers you to take action and make a difference, regardless of your position or authority.

Madeline Cartwright's example. The story of Madeline Cartwright, the principal who transformed a troubled inner-city school, illustrates the power of small actions. Her cleaning, painting, and caring for the children created a ripple effect of positive change.

6. Build Your Village: Authentic Relationships Matter

Other people are important to me in themselves.

Beyond networking. Move beyond transactional networking to building a "village" of authentic relationships. This means valuing people for who they are, not just what they can do for you. It's about mutual support and genuine connection.

The service paradigm. A meaningful career is about meaningful service. Focus on how you can make the lives of others better, whether they are co-workers, customers, or clients. This service-oriented approach builds strong relationships and a positive reputation.

The old-time village. Visualize the personal atmosphere of an old-time village, where people knew each other well and supported each other. This is the kind of community you want to create in your career.

7. Emotional Bank Accounts: Invest in Trust

What is immediately rewarded is repeated. What is immediately punished is avoided.

Trust and confidence. An Emotional Bank Account represents the level of trust and confidence in a relationship. Making deposits through service, goodwill, and honesty builds up a reserve. Withdrawals erode trust.

Making deposits. Regularly make deposits in your Emotional Bank Accounts by offering help, showing appreciation, and keeping your commitments. These small acts build strong relationships and create a supportive network.

The Contribution Statement as a rudder. Use your Contribution Statement as a guide to prioritize your activities and say no to requests that don't align with your goals. This prevents you from being pulled in too many directions and allows you to focus on making a meaningful contribution.

8. Carve Out Your Space: Establish Your Online Presence

All recruiters hire through their networks.

Social media for good. Use social media tools to build your village and establish your expertise. A career blog is an excellent way to connect with people, share your ideas, and showcase your skills.

The career blog. Your blog is a dynamic résumé that demonstrates your passion, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. It attracts recruiters and customers who are looking for your specific expertise.

Beyond the résumé. In today's digital age, your online presence is often more important than a traditional résumé. Establish and control your personal brand by creating valuable content and engaging with your audience.

9. Synergy: The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

A highly synergistic team creates solutions that even the lone genius cannot foresee.

The power of collaboration. Synergy means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. By working collaboratively with others, you can achieve results that would be impossible to achieve alone.

Diversity of minds. A synergistic team brings together diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences. This diversity leads to more creative and innovative solutions.

The Internet's creation. The story of the Internet's creation illustrates the power of synergy. It was the result of countless individuals working together over decades, each contributing their unique expertise.

10. Overcome Obstacles: Independence and Influence

I am the product of my own choices.

From victim to victor. Give up the victim mentality and embrace an independent paradigm. See yourself as the product of your own choices, capable of creating your own future.

Circle of Influence. Focus your energy on your Circle of Influence, the things you can control, rather than your Circle of Concern, the things you can't. By expanding your Circle of Influence, you increase your power to achieve your goals.

Dan's story. The story of Dan, the technical writer who saved his job by solving a cash-flow problem, illustrates the power of independence and influence. By taking initiative and focusing on solutions, he transformed his career.

11. The Interview Edge: Preparation and Presentation

The purpose of a résumé—or curriculum vitae (CV)—is to get you an interview with the right person.

Problem solver, not job seeker. Approach the interview as a problem solver, not just a job seeker. Demonstrate your understanding of the company's challenges and present your solutions with confidence.

The Need-Opportunity presentation. Prepare a brief, hard-hitting Need-Opportunity presentation that showcases your knowledge and skills. This demonstrates your value and sets you apart from other candidates.

The STAR approach. Use the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer interview questions concisely and effectively. Relate your experiences to the challenges facing the organization.

Last updated: March 14, 2025