In the book Strengths Finder 2.0 released by Gallup Organisation (2007) by Tom Rath, it shared a true story of Rudy Ruettiger, the 23-year old groundskeeper at Notre Dame’s stadium.
“At just 5′ 6″ and 165 pounds, tyhis young man clearly didn’t possess the physical ability to play big-time college football, but he had ample “heart.”
He worked tirelessly for two years to gain admission into Notre Dame and after being admitted, he took beatings in daily practices to meet the requirements to join the college team. Finally, in the final game of his senior year (after years of waiting and hard work), with the victory safely in hand, the coach sent Rudy in for the last seconds of the game and he tackled the opposing team’s quaterbaack. It was a dramatic moment and Rudy became an instant hero where he met President Bill Clinton, Colin Powell and football legend, Joe Montana. While Rudy’s perseverance was admirable as he finally achieved his goal of playing in a football competition after thousands of hours of practicing, the fact is unfortunately, he took the path of most resistance.”
Hard Work + Talent = Expertise
Isn’t it true that most of us have been taught that we can be anything we want if we try hard enough?
Think about the time when as students, we were told that as long as we work hard, we will be able to score distinctions in all our subjects. And for the small percentage who succeeded, that maxim became the modus operandi for them even in the working world. They would spend years developing new skills and acquiring new learnings to prove that as long as they have the attitude to work at them, the altitude of success will bear good fruits. It is a great shame when the very strengths which would have differentiated them from others are now put aside in the back burner. This does not mean that we don’t work hard at what we do. What is meant is to work hard at what are your strengths and keep working at them, for there may come a time when you can become experts or masters at what you do.
Now, think of Olympics athletes. All the individuals in it are exceptionally talented – but at different things. The javelin thrower is able to throw his javelin powerfully and release it from his grasp at exactly the right time; the marathon runner has phenomenal endurance; and the sprinter has powerful leg muscles so that she can explode out of the starting blocks. They all have speacilised talents which with the right attitude of hard work, would make them mastery at what they do. What’s yours?
These are few things to think about when writing your career development plan. Remember, your goal is not to be a jack of all trades and master of none. You want to achieve mastery at the shortest time, the path of least resistance.
Uncover Your Talents
1. Uncover Your Attributes, Talents and Skills.
Try some tests available like Strengthsfinder 2.0. You need to purchase the book which comes with an access code to assess yourself online. You can get the book with one hour review of your report by me. Email me at frankie@executivesbranding.com for more details. Alternatively, you may want to try www.truecolorscareer.com/quiz.asp or www.careerplanner.com. Different instruments would focus on different outcomes so you may want to research for more information.
This is so important as most of us see ourselves in our own lens which often are not accurate descriptions of who we and what we do. Through Reach 360° Personal Branding Survey, you are able to discover how others like your colleagues, bosses, friends, associates see you. Such information would validate or provide critical answers which speak of the uniqueness of who you are. As a certified Reach Personal Branding Strategist, I am qualified to administer and review the Reach 360°. Alternatively, you may want to try a free and shortened version of Reach 360 at http://www.reachcc.com/360reach.
3. Seek The Job Which Leverages On Your Expert Skills
You want to get into a job where you can rise to be an expert in your area of expertise. Employers and organisations are always looking for executives who can bring tremendous value into their companies. Highlight, communicate, champion those special skills which you possess to your employers to have them noticed you. Don’t assume that they know. Think about the senior management who seldom come into contact with you and how little they know of your expertise. Find those internal and external groups where you can contribute these extraordinary skills to create value for others. As you begin to use these talents of yours everyday, you will discover that work can be fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding!
Attempt this questionnaire to discover if you are using most of your expertise at work.
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