What is holding your career back from progress 4?

In my last posts, I have given some factors which restricts career progress of some workers. Today, we are going to look at another factor, inability to work in groups. This factor is really a limiting one.

     Companies are made up of people and never an individual. Companies are also divided into different departments. Therefore, it is impossible for a worker to carry out his or her function solely. Since a company has a defined target, all jobs must be coordinated and directed towards the target. If all workers execute their functions individually, then, the company becomes a tower of Babel. But, why do some workers have this defect? 

     There are many reasons to that. One of them is that some people feel they know more than others. As a result, they should be left alone to solve all the problems. During my doctoral degree program at the University of São Paulo, we were informed of the result of a survey conducted by the Trade Association of São Paulo which represents industrialists of the named state - FIESP. The survey indicated that the alumni of the University have a big defect: inability of working in groups. This fact results from the fact that the University is considered the best in Latin America. As a result, the alumni consider themselves to be above others and do not like to work in groups. The effect of this defect is that the market has restrictions in recruiting the alumni from the cited University.

     No matter how intelligent you may be, there is always something you can learn from others. Companies cannot promote someone to managerial position if he cannot work in groups. The logic is very simple. How can someone who cannot work in group lead a group? This is because being any type of manager implies leading teams. 

     Another reason for this problem comes from the fear of losing the priveledge tied to holding knowledge. Although many companies campaign for dissemination of knowledge, some of their workers hestitate to do that because they fear they will lose their power and the priviledge that goes with it. Companies stimulate collaboration by creating Knowledge Management Departments. You should negotiate with your Organization to see how it will recognize you for it. After that, put your knowledge at the service of your Organization. You should remember that it is your Organization that gave you the platform through which you were able to invent or create something.

     Remember that your career depends on the value you bring to the organization. Your knowledge or skill constitutes a major part of that. The other part is your behavior. In my last post, I commented that you can get what you want only after giving what you have! Therefore, you should give or share the knowledge you have so the organization can compensate you with an excellent career. Work in groups and bring your knowledge to life and you will never regret it. Think about this!

              

          

  

What is holding your career back from progress 3?

In my last post, I mentioned the lack of flexibility or adaptability to changes in a company as one of the reasons why many people get stuck with their careers. Today, we are going to look at another factor that also causes the same problem. That is lack of identification with your company. 

     Lack of identification with your organization is a big career killer. This is especially true for someone eyeing to occupy executive position. Remember that the most important information in a resume for executive hiring is a well-documented result achieved in your former organization, or what is called is called the value added to it, and consequently, what you can bring to the new oganization. Your education and experience are considered basic requirement for entry level positions. Organizations want to know what you can bring to the their institutions that will make justify them paying you such a high salary. Your achievement is determined by your ability to identify yourself with the organization and can motivate others too. 

     This is a concept that many people do not understand. Identifying yourself with an organization means considering it as your own. That means you should do everything you can to make it succeed as you would do if it were your own company. However, the element that will make you do it effectively is your understanding of the company's vision. Your Company's vision must be aligned with your vision in order to be fully engaged. The irony is that some workers do not know their companies' mission statement, not to talk about their vision. 

     In order to get what you want from a company, you must first understand what the company wants from you! It then follows that if you give the company what it wants, you will receive what you want. As simple as that. This is the guiding principle from making any business profitable. In other words, this is the principle on which wealth creation is based. No company can give you an excellent career opportunity unless you are highly productive to it. 

     Therefore, if you want to have an excellent career opportunity in an organization, you must understand its vision and ask yourself what you can do to reach that vision. Think about this!

          

What is holding your career back from progress 2?

What is holding your career back from progress? Many people find themselves trapped without any chances of moving forward or sideways. One of the reasons for this situation is lack of flexibility or adaptation to new ideas, technology, concepts, or processes. 

     Companies compete on a global basis in varieties of areas. This is because we have new countries entering into the traditional markets dominated by developed countries. This puts pressure on traditional companies which try to defend their market share. In order to defend their market share, companies computerize their processes in order to be more efficient and reduce costs. They also do this by introducing new business ideas with different business models. Whatever they do for survival alters workers' ways of executing their functions. It is impossible to make changes in organizations without making changes in the workers.

     Although companies offer change management training as a way to prepare workers, some do not adapt to the proposed changes. This occurs mostly to older workers. As a result of their time with company, the management generally keep the workers. Secondly, companies may lose a lot of money by firing them. Instead, younger workers are promoted because they are more flexible or adaptable to anything new. 

     So, if you are not making any progress, you should verify your position with respect to the changes occuring in your Company. How do you embrace these changes? This is one of the reasons for being stuck with your career.

     In the next posts, we will look at other reasons why some people do not make progress in their careers!

                 

What is holding your career back from progress 1?

Many people are found trapped in their careers. They do not move forward nor do they move sideways. They are stagnant. They are found trapped in a hole. But, what are the factors which hold people's career back from success? Before we look at the causes, let us first define what is meant by a stagnant career.

     The career of a person is considered stagnant when compared with his or her peers. When someone does not receive promotion while almost all his peers have been promoted. Some peers may have even reached the position of vice presidency or presidency. In some cases, promotions are not done vertically, but horizontally. For example, the function can be the same, but importance may be different. A person may hold the same function, but with many subordinates or with many subsidiaries or even more important department such as the Finance.

     How do you feel when you see your peers going into higher positions? If you feel bad about it, what do you do? The first thing to do if your career does not move vertical or horizontal is to ask yourself what is wrong with you. For you to do a thorough analysis, you need to consider some factors. These factors will be explained in the next post!             

   

The effect of culture on negotiation 2

In my last post, I wrote about the effect of Oriental Culture on negotiation with the western culture and what westerners should be aware of. Today, let us look at how Latin American culture influences its negotiation process. 

     Latin America is composed of countries located in the Southern and Central America. Someone doing business or going into negotiation with a Latino person should be aware that he or she needs a reference or referee who is known by the Latino. The door opens to you through this referee. Generally, they do not trust people they do not know. So, having a good referee is more important than a written contract. 

     Another observation is with respect to pricing. Prices are not generally given freely through the phone. Prices are given to you only when they see you in person and are sure you are going to buy the product or service.

     So, do not ignore these cultural differences while negotiating with someone from Latin America.         

The effect of culture on Negotiation

In my earlier post, I wrote about the art of negotiation. In that post, the art of negotiation did not consider the effect of culture. The post considered people of the same culture. Now, how does one go about negotiating with people from other cultures? The cultures generally considered are East and Western cultures. However, we have sub-cultures within these. 

    The Eastern or Oriental culture is known for not being too verbal or too persuasive like the Western culture. In the same way, the Orientals do not like a lot of persuasion. This means when you are negotiating with people from Asia (China, Japan, etc.), you need to give them all the information you have without making a lot of maneuvering tactics or going from point to another. Present your minimum price because there is no room for a lot of bargaining. You should understand that you should not get immediate reply or order for your products or services. Do not consider that to mean the deal will not be closed.

     Another difference lies on the fact that they maintain their words, with or without written contract. In the next posts, we will look at the effect of other cultures on negotiation. So, check out!       

  

How does your behavior affect your career 3?

In my earlier posts, I gave some tips about the effect of your behavior on your career. In the present post, I will give some advice on what to do after discovering that your behavior may be affecting your career. Immediately you notice any of the tips given in the second post, you need to take the following steps:

 - think about the last time you met with your superiors and remember how
    they felt about your comments and your suggestions;   

 - did you notice anything from their body movement when you made the
   comment?
 - imagine yourself to be the boss and someone made the comment to you. How
   would you react?
 - if you cannot find solution by yourself, look for outside help immediately;
 - do not look for help from your organization because your colleagues might be
   afraid to tell you the truth; 
 - the appropriate outside help will be psychological one. They have various 
   tests about human comportment. This is what you need;
 - you need to invest some time and money in this process. It is not a problem
   someone solves in very short period of time;
 - bear in mind that changing behavior is very difficult, but you can do it
   because you are the one who desires for the change; 
 - do not enter into the trap of thinking that investment in personal development
    is a waste of money. It is an investment with a huge return; 

After the training, you will see how people will like to be associated with you. Good luck!
      

    

Negotiation is an art!

Negotiation is an art. It is an art of discovering who needs the deal the most. Who needs the deal the most has to accept the conditions imposed by the other side. It is as a simple as that, although nobody will give you this information. The jargon generally used is a win-win negotiation. There is nothing like a win-win negotiation. If one wants something he does not know how to produce or know the components or from where to get them, the person will be very happy to have the product at the price given to him. If the buyer has some information or some knowledge about the product or where he can get competitors, his negotiation capacity increases. In this case, he cannot any price given to him.

     When going into negotiation, try as much as possible to have information about what you are negotiating. On the contrary, you are going into submission and not into negotiation. So, think of that!    

How does your behavior affect your career 2?

In  my last post, I wrote about the effect of one's behavior on his or her career. I wrote about how bad behavior may be a barrier to his promotion to an executive position. But, what are the red flags that may tell you that your behavior is not all that good? You should watch out for the following signs:

- your invitation to participate in some meetings with your peers and not invited

  in other meetings;

- not sending you to represent your Company in important events;

- your boss asking you if you would like to work another subsidiary of the

  Holding, but to accupy the same position;

- your boss asking you to head a smaller company of the Holding instead of 

  being promoted to an executive position at the head office; 

- your director, vice president or CEO wanting to have only brief meetings with

  you;

- your superiors always in a hurry whenever you are approaching them or

  always trying to dodge you;

- your superiors wanting you to send them reports by writing instead of face-to

  face meeting;

The above tips may give you indication that your situation with your compny is not very good. After observing these signs, you should immediately check yourself. The next thing is to ask yourself: what should I do?

     In the next posts, we will give you some guides on what to do. So, watch out for the tips!

       

  

How does your behavior affect you?

In my last posts, I wrote something about the two qualities that affect our work. These are your skill and your comportment (behavior). You may be an expert on something, but nobody likes working with you neither your company's clients wanting to negotiate anything with you. On the other hand, you may be the most sympathetic person on earth in attending people and working with people, but you do not have the necessary skills required for your job. People will like to have fun with you and hang out with you socially, but cannot consult you in order to solve technical problems. In other words, you need the two attributes. You need to have good skills and good behavior. 

     I know you have good skill before your Company hired you. This is because job interviews are generally centred on skills and less on behaviors. The question now is: how does your behavior affect you? Have you ever asked yourself this question before? The fact is that nobody will tell you about this, even your closest friends. This is because many people are afraid of hurting others. The situation is worse for people in high positions. Everybody likes to be a friend of the boss in order to be favoured by the boss. As a result, they cannot say anything negative about you in order to continue with their priviledges. Stop for a while and ask yourself the question above. 

     One director of Human Resources once told me that they do not verify the behavior aspect during the interview. They only worry about it during promotion to managerial positions. As a result, they provide trainings about leadership and people management for senior positions. If the trainings do not solve the problem, they tend to hire executives from the market. That is the reason for writing this post. You may not why your Organization did not promote you to the executive position. It may be because of your behavior! In the next posts, we will verify some of the points you should consider in order to assess yourself. Have a good week!