The City Slickers Question
A great movie with lots of lessons for us overwhelmed city dwellers.
There’s a real moment of truth when Billy Crystal asks an old timer, played by Jack Palance (Curly), what the meaning of life is. His answer:
“The meaning of life is one thing.”
What’s that?” asks Mitch (Billy Crystal)
“That’s up to you to find out” he replies.
THEIR ONE THING
Well I think the same secret applies in our careers. Imagine you’re having a career discussion with one of your team and they ask you:
“What’s the secret of a great career?”
Your answer:
“The secret of a great career is one thing”
“What’s that?” they say
You reply:
“That’s up to you to find out”
HAPPINESS AND THAT ONE THING
When I see people who are extremely fulfilled in their career, making as much money as they want, excited, getting great team spirit, providing brilliant customer outcomes, they’ve usually found that secret.
THAT ONE THING
They focus on one thing and get real good at it.
For example, they don’t just become accountants; they become tax specialists in the Motor Industry. They don’t just become a coach they only coach individual entrepreneurs who are one person businesses.
GET GOOD, GET KNOWN, GET GREAT
Not only do they get really good at what they do (that’s the power of focus) they also get known for being good at what they do, which brings more business, more experience, which helps them get more work and their experience helps them get better, and so on, and so on.
Your specialist will always earn more than your generalist. Compare your bill from your local G.P to that of your ophthalmic surgeon, or radiologist. So how do you discover what you’re really good at?
GIVE THEM A B.E.P. TALK
So one of the most powerful questions you can ask to really add value to your team members is what do they want to be famous for in their profession?
Often they just don’t know so you may need to give them a B.E.P talk, No it’s not a typo, that’s B.E.P talk, not P.E.P talk. Ask them to consider three questions and the overlap of these, the intersection will be their place
THE THREE QUESTIONS
1.Best at
In terms of talent, what you are Best At? Where do you really excel?
2. Economic(ally) most rewarding
What has the best potential for economic (monetary) rewards?
3. Passion(ate) about
What are you really passionate about? What do you really love to do?
THE LITTLE BIG THINGS
Your role as leader is to help your people shine. Assisting them to discover their “one thing” is a great start. Your commitment to helping them be great is one of, if not the biggest factor under your control to create a truly engaged workplace.
Go online to www.authentichappiness.com and have everyone in your team complete the V.I.A. Signature Strengths, then discuss it individually and as a team.
Have a brilliant 2008! What’s the ONE THING you’ll get great at this year?
Cheers
Paul Mitchell
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What Subscribers Say
I took the time last night to quietly read your “Beating the Depression” newsletter. Wow… Such a great piece and an important reminder of the power of optimism...Very timely, with so much “bad” news and negativity around the place...it’s hard not to get caught up in the doom and gloom.
Its tough times in our property business, but so important to remain upbeat and focused on your own sphere of influence that I have passed in on to my sales team and pasted it on my own message board. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jim Langford, Principal, Langford Property Partners
Thank you so much for this! There are just so many self-help materials going around but your stuff is just super practical and easy to implement. The Human Enterprise rocks! Keep up the great work!
Ravin Rajendran, SAP South East Asia
Just wanted to compliment you on this outstanding piece of insightful writing. There's so much drivel out there in this field and yours is just superior....Glad to be on your list.
Bill Baggitt, Director, Let's Talk Business
