CompassPoints
August 2003	Compliments of: Janine Moon, MA, Career & Business Coach
Challenged by the current employment market? Looking to get an edge in finding your best work, in defining your career? CompassPoint Coaching is offering a pilot program this September, "Boot Camp for Career Transitioners: Not for Wimps!" The 12-session, 6-week program is an intense, one-of-a-kind series that takes participants far beyond traditional job and career transition approaches. Interested? Email me! Columbus Senior Roundtable Thurs, Aug 21/03 7:30 to 9:30 am Trillium Place Register by Aug 18^th: Link to Register Execunet Meeting Thurs, Aug 28/03 7:30 to 9:30 am Bank One Corporate Register by Aug 25^th: Link to Register Get-It Columbus! Check out the newest program in the Columbus area… a combination of learning, networking, mentoring, discussion boards, and more! “Mentoring: We want you to get it!” – a seminar presented by Janine Moon, Thurs, Aug 7/03 7:30 to 10:30 am Sparkspace in the Arena District. Link for Info Janine Moon CompassPoint Coaching LLC 2015 Arlington Ave Columbus, Ohio 43212 U.S.A. Tel: 614.488-6876 Fax: 614.488-1458 Email Janine We’re on the Web! Link to CPCoaching CompassPoints To sign-up for our monthly newsletter: Subscribe If you’d rather not receive CompassPoints: UnSubscribe Copyright (c) 2003 Janine Moon CompassPoint Coaching	Character: Value at the ‘Top’ Executives who focus all their energies on the bottom line may find it pays off in the short term, say business analysts. But the reality is that decisions made based on profit alone have been shown to lead to long-term loss: loss of talent and innovation, employee and consumer confidence, and a motivated work force. However, character-driven leadership—based on a clear sense of values—can actually energize the spirit of an organization, and lead to extraordinary outcomes. Leaders with character- * value employees, customers and shareholders alike; * value individual strengths; * value authenticity; * create and maintain balance between economic, social and environmental responsibilities; * stay-the-course with long-term strategies in the face of short-term gains; * work from a crystal clear personal foundation; * know their strengths and acknowledge their shortcomings; * tell the truth and support truth-telling; * disallow arrogance, superiority and blame; * encourage questioning, checking, investigation, research and devil's advocacy; * recognize and promote people as the product and information/knowledge as the currency -- and practice expense control accordingly; * see themselves clearly enough to be consistently focused on their own growth and learning; in other words, they know what they don't know. Character-driven leaders take responsibility for their mistakes and take action to make things right. They espouse the values of four generations in the workplace. They value ideas and innovation. They tell it like it is. They value the basic equality of all people and interact first at a human level, second at a business level. They do ‘the right thing’. Mary Pickford- “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Growing your character We often use the word character to define something that leaders and successful people have. Psychological experts say that character comes from defining moments and challenges successfully met in childhood. But how does one improve one's character in adulthood? And how can one reflect one's positive character traits on one's resume, when interviewing, when interacting with colleagues, when networking? You can develop your character by- *not worrying about others' taking note...if there's something to see, they will see it; *paying attention to risk-taking and rising to/accepting/requesting challenge; *making a point of initiating and contributing to your organization's forward movement; *seeking out and learn from mentors, including at least one younger than you; *valuing and teaching others to utilize diversity for personal and organizational growth; *seeking ways to expand the organization's competitive position; *encouraging and practicing innovation; *taking responsibility for a larger sphere of influence *focusing on your own growth and development... growing and changing creates momentum and develops resilience... only when you are open to change are you open to business reality; *being who you are, not your job title. When interviewing and networking, remember that your actions speak louder than your words. You can demonstrate character by making commitments, following through, and having the courage to be innovative. Job vs. Work The trend toward non-traditional employment is putting a new spin on conventional careers. Have you made the distinction between "finding a job" and "finding work"? And do you know how that affects your career movement? Check out this incredibly important distinction in an article by Ron McGowan at this link. To thine own self… be true Successful people capitalize on their strengths. They know their current and potential talents and focus on them. They learn and grow as much as they can in these areas and concentrate all their energy on them. They take themselves out of the ranks of the ordinary into a group of extraordinary performers. -JM If you have thought about coaching, but just aren’t sure how to begin, call or e-mail me, I’ll introduce you to coaching and you can “try it on” with no commitment, only learning! - JM Until next month... “That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something that you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” Doris Lessing