James McDuffie: Perspectives

James McDuffie

A weekly exploration of various topics, and trying to get a good perspective on all side of the conversation. Join James McDuffie on a journey, with experts in their respective areas, as they try to keep an open mind and build a more rounded world view.

  1. 04/28/2020

    Advancing your professional career

    Looking for that edge to succeed at your professional career? Excelling technically, but just never seem to get noticed? This weeks discussion the topic in depth and cover important issues like how many hours should you be working, how do you get noticed for your next promotion, and the importance of finding a mentor.  Join me as we dive into this exciting topic that holds so much possibility for changing your career trajectory, this week on Perspective. Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com Summary: How many hours do you have to work? What do you want out of your career? At least 40+ Comparing yourself to other people Dress for the role you want, not the role you have Understand the role you want, and dress more like that role Even CEO’s that dress comfortably – dress nicely Never an excuse for bad hygiene Stay healthy and fit Visibility matters Leaders need to know about your successes Your manager should care about your yearly accomplishments Your yearly report out matters, keep track of your successes Perception matters Language Matters Negative Visibility Being a team player You are only as successful as your team You want to be the most trustworthy person on your team (in or out of the office) You want people to come to you for help, you want to make yourself available Use the terms us and we instead of me or I, the perception that everyone is in it together makes people feel invested in your joint success Point out other people’s successes Try to be kind when pointing out people’s mistakes (do it in a positive way if possible) Owning your failures You make a mistake, immediately take responsibility for it Never blame someone else when you are even partially to blame. It’s better to take full responsibility, than no responsibility Finding the gaps and improving them Things that people say are problems – working a few extra hours to find solutions Listen to people’s complaints Influencing positive change in culture Listen to the problems that your weakest team members are having and solve them Always find the root problem, ignore the symptoms Don’t be afraid to step into other disciplines or help across the isles in a different department Becoming an expert Improving your skills, make you a valuable source of information Expertise isn’t being a leader Listen to what other people have to say first before sharing your opinion Acknowledge what their saying has merit before pointing out what they missed Helping others learn Teach classes Mentoring is important Documenting your success / failures so others can learn Finding your own mentor Try to find someone is a role that you want to be in Don’t be afraid of firing mentors and finding new ones Advancing with a family Family comes first / career second Finding a schedule that allows you to success that doesn’t impact your family Don’t neglect self-happiness The happier you are the better you perform in your role The more sleep you have the better you perform in your role The less stress you have the better you perform in your role

    1h 4m
5
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6 Ratings

About

A weekly exploration of various topics, and trying to get a good perspective on all side of the conversation. Join James McDuffie on a journey, with experts in their respective areas, as they try to keep an open mind and build a more rounded world view.