Career Coaches and Simon Says … really?

Have you ever been in a situation where someone thought you knew, but you didn’t? Maybe there was blame, assumptions, or criticism. And then you found out, and you said, “Well, why didn’t someone tell me”?

I like Maya Angelou’s quote: “When you know better, you do better.” That’s why I wrote this article, because as a career coach I find many times, people just don’t know what they don’t know.

career coach says…

I’m going to play a game that resembles the child’s game we used to play, “Simon Says.” It goes like this: Simon is the leader. When he says, “Simon Says,” you have to do what he says, such as “raise your hand.” If he says “raise your hand” without saying “Simon Says” and you raise your hand, you’re out.

It sucks to be left out. I don’t want you to be left out of a career path you love, so keep reading about how you can stay in the game instead of being booted out by that punk, Simon.

Career Coach Says: Do the work you’re supposed to do

If you’re feeling disillusioned about your career, you’re not doing the work you’re supposed to do. Are you an artist but not creating? Are you a leader but not leading? Are you a problem solver but not solving problems?

I once heard someone say, “You’re not supposed to enjoy your work. That’s why they call it work.” To which I replied (not in a snarky way at all), “So, no one in the whole world enjoys their work?” To which this person replied, “Well, no, I mean some people do, just not most people.”

“So what makes the people who love their work so special? How come they get to do what they love, but not you”? Silence!

This way of thinking is a big – fat – lie. There are examples all around you of people doing the work they’re supposed to do. These folks clearly understand their talents and how to leverage them.

Maybe you need a new career, maybe you just need to set some career goals that bring out your best. I don’t know your situation, but clearly if you’re feeling disillusioned at work, your situation won’t get better on its own.

Truth time: Figuring out what you’re supposed to do requires some work … and the effort is worth it.

Career Coach says: Create a campaign for your next role

Are you the type of person who gets restless in your career? Perhaps you’ve been in your role for a couple of years, and now you’re bored. Been there; done that – so I hired a career coach to help me make better career choices.

Your boss likes your work & she wants you to stay exactly where you are. “Can’t you just be happy where you are? You have more to learn,” she says. Dilemma or opportunity?

What if you were like this guy, Mike. He’s creating a “campaign” to demonstrate why it would be in everyone’s best interest to place him in a role where he can create even more value for himself & the organization. Campaigns are filled with strategies, plans & execution towards a desired outcome. Campaigns are not created in a day. They take time.

And sometimes it helps to have a little fun with your campaign. Mike messes with his boss every now & then by wearing a suit to work. And you know what that means, suit at work = interviewing or preaching.

Career Coach says: Never, ever, ever say, “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

Nothing frustrates leaders more than people just sitting back and waiting to be told what to do. Whether it’s your performance review, project planning, brainstorming session, interview, networking, working with a career coach, customer meeting or whatever … show up fully present, sharing what you want, and inviting others to do the same.

When everyone comes to the “party” as a peer, with the intention that everyone can get what they want, you best believe something special is going to happen. You won’t be playing games to see who’s the winner or who’s the loser. Everyone wins because everyone is showing up as a leader, bringing their unique gifts and contributions to the situation or relationship.

Some results you can expect are: stronger performance, innovation, high-quality work & relationships, clear communication & understanding, better service … essentially happier people who create superior experiences for the people they serve & care about.

Career Coach says: You already have what you need

Is this you? You’ve gotten a good education, you’re a leader, someone people naturally go to; you produce high-quality work and get excellent feedback from people you support … and yet you can’t quite make the leap to the career you’re longing for.

So, you take more classes, get more certifications, do more research, abandon your dreams, or ride other people’s coattails hoping they’ll pull you along.

All the while, there’s this voice whispering inside you, “You are enough. You have everything you need.” But you ignore that little voice – wondering why you aren’t getting what you want.

Please read this sentence carefully. Stop. Breathe. You have EVERYTHING you need.

As a career coach, I see this a lot. I tell my clients: The only thing standing in your way is you. What a relief! If you’re in your way, and you’re in control of yourself, you can get out of your way. How cool is that!

“How do you do that,” you ask? You acknowledge the appreciation that’s coming your way. You recognize your gifts. You stand tall and exclaim to the world, “I have something wonderful to offer you, and I am ready to share it.” Oh man, look out, here you come!

Career Coach says: Get out or else

I see lots of people who have stayed in their jobs too long, and they’re not in a good place when they come to see their career coach. They’re feeling complacent, overwhelmed, apathetic, and really hate Monday mornings.

Wishing and praying and thinking and hoping – good start but take it a step further

I’m reminded of the Burt Bacharach song “Wishing and Praying,” sung by Dionne Warwick. All that wishing and hoping and thinking and praying is getting you really close, but you’re not there quite yet.

According to an article in Health magazine, “For mental health, bad job worse than no job,” researchers found that unemployed people actually rated higher in mental health than people in jobs of high stress (bad boss, micromanaged, underpaid, insecure about employment). Pretty incredible, huh?

You don’t have to quit your job right now. Actually I advise against it unless you’re doing damage to yourself. Just take one step, and then another, and then another. Before you know it you’ll be out the door and on your way to something you want … and I’ll bet much wiser this time around.

And finally, Career Coach says: Your career is not a game where someone tells you what to do and you do it, so you win.

You need to be Simon in your career, directing yourself in a way that sets you on a successful, fulfilling career path. Take a stand, create a vision, invite people in to support and encourage you, and take action only that’s right for you. Take all the time you need; just don’t let someone else decide your career path.

So, now you know. And you’ll do better, I’m sure of it.

P.S. If you need help, check out our online leadership and career coaching program, Leadership and Career Essentials!™

Now it’s time for you to put on the role of “Career Coach.” What do you want us to know?

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