Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Last year a few smart, ambitious Gen Y employees at TalentSmart asked me about the things I’ve done and learned that might help them steer their careers. These conversations plus the fact that I have a younger brother finishing college in the fall got me thinking and eventually researching. Here is part one of my answer.
THE RESEARCH
As a recovering trophy kid myself, I’ve learned quite a bit about this
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
04.27.09
Looking forward to reading the rest of your posts! Just realized I am more of a trophy kid than I originally thought. I guess admittance is the first stop to recovery...
04.27.09
I agree so very much with this post. I see most folks our age dividing almost down the middle to these two camps, and then wondering why they haven't earned the golden office in the corner by age 27.
I would, however, question one point on your table (while appreciating that it is a quick and dirty.) You mention that it is an attribute of a leader vs a trophy kid to use self-depracating humor rather than sarcasm. I see where you are going (don't be the smartest smartass of them all) but at the same time don't think that any leaders are formed by allowing themselves to always be on the depracating end of a joke. I see more witty banter occurring with other leaders I encounter, with a little humility humor tossed in.
04.27.09
On Elisa's point - I think that the key there is probably humility in some ways, but not really to make yourself the butt of all the jokes. In the same vein, it's good to laugh at yourself once in a while. Don't be so self-entitled so as to forget that :)
Great post!
04.27.09
On top of this, there are some things that only time and experience will solve. The young shot callers realize this and most do develope some patience.
Sometimes, it's getting down in the trenches and doing all the ugly, messy, but necessary stuff that makes the business work. Sometimes, it's going back to school to fill in the gaps in your knowledge. And sometimes, it's listening to the old-timers and their there-I-was stories to gain insight into not only how things are done, but why certain choices and directions were chosen.
04.27.09
Nick,
Great post. Your work attitude is just as important as the work itself. You obviously "get it."
04.27.09
Nick,
this is a good post with some amazing content and I can't wait to read the rest of those posts your planning.
04.27.09
Nick, excellent post, I think it's interesting that the characteristics of a "Next Generation Leader" remain essentially unchanged over the past 3 decades. I think although our experiences and drives can change, the qualities of a true leader remain quite constant.
04.27.09
Nick,
Really great post. I think it's especially helpful that you took the extra effort to put it in a table form - anytime there's some strong, concise language in a table, it can be used as a reference point for other people. Really helpful stuff.
04.28.09
I really like this post and it really got me thinking. I hope you'll do some more follow-ups, I think it's great you went out there and really asked people.
04.28.09
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Your insights will help immeasurably to make the coming series that much more beneficial for everyone else so please keep them coming.
04.28.09
@Josh - your point about Tables fits well with one of the 10 strategies. It's not about tables directly, but rather the kind of organized thinking that goes into a table. Stay tuned...
04.28.09
@Jimmy - You're absolutely right that the fundamentals of good leadership are relatively constant.
What changes, I think, are where each generation starts from. For example, Madison, Wisconsin never moves, but to get there from the east requires different directions than from the west. While we're all trying to get to the same end goal of strong leadership, in many areas we seem to be starting from a different place than our predecessor generations.
04.28.09
@Elisa @Mehnaz - Great points. In some ways you're both right. Self-deprecating humor is a poor cover for incompetence. If you're constantly performing below average and calling attention to it with self-deprecating humor, then it's not going to be too funny for too long and won't become that leader. But that's a performance issue, and not a humor problem.
Self-deprecating humor is a great way to diffuse the perception that you're entitled and arrogant (even if you're not arrogant, you are often pereceived that way simply b/c of your age and confidence.) Whereas sarcasm--the comedic tool of choice for our generation--only feeds into that perception. The main point is that if you must use sarcasm, don't direct it at other people. It only makes you look small and insecure even if it's done under the guise of "witty banter." It might get you a date, but it probably won't get you a promotion.
Thanks again for your great thoughts!
04.28.09
This is great! I like that you have research to back up your statements. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of your posts!
04.28.09
Thanks, Irina. Look for a new post every Monday for the next 10 wks.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
|
 |
|
