The Image of Wisdom (photo credit: Matt Lawler - Wikimedia Commons)
This is a series of blog posts, dormant for a while, resurrected for a while. These would be career tips #15, #16 and #17, meant for young people entering the work force. Little practical nuggets gleaned a few years in the grind.
Do It to Yourself First
“Whatever you choose to do to yourself, will be less painful than if done by others”. Another present-day boss is fond of saying this, and applying the little dictum to internal audits and reviews.
The idea is to change and improve your own processes first, to spackle those efficiency gaps, rather than be forced by outside persons and events.
On the home finance front, not too different from subjecting a household to a draconian debt repayment plan, rather than being hounded by outside creditors.
Look for Grey-Haired Knowledge
In other words, find a mentor. With the disappearance of pensions and the change in culture, long tenure at companies has become a bit of a rarity. In some companies, there may be still a few who old-timers around who have put in their thirty or forty years at the company.
Leaning on an experienced person to learn is a viable strategy in life, let alone a budding career.
Besides operational or job-specific knowledge, a seasoned pro can impart little bits of company lore and legend. Hoary old stories about past campaigns, initiatives, and more importantly, lessons learned, may not necessarily be retained in company training manuals. In fact, just the opposite may be the case.
When these grey-haired persons leave for that final retirement, a little bit of knowledge goes away.
It’s to your advantage, young person, to ensure that it sticks around. And what better place to have it stick around than your own head first?
Don’t Hurry
This is a good tip I picked up from a former boss. He would always be ready for a meeting five or ten minutes ahead of schedule, enter the room and sit down in a very deliberate way. Arrange his folder, his pen or pencil, and then sit back calmly and watch or greet who entered next.
I asked him about this, and his response has stuck with me to this day: “If you look rushed, people might think you don’t know how to manage your time”.
It’s also good policy to not exaggerate and even comment how busy you are, even if you’re on in over your head (as most of us are in these lean-staffed days) and about to explode from stress.
A familiar business small-talk intro is “Staying busy these days?”. The common answer is roll eyes and bemoan the lack of time, people, resources, etc. What is less common is an insouciant shrug and an answer of, why yes, pretty busy, but we manage and by. This projects an image of can-do competence, confidence and optimism. All good things.
At least that’s what I’ve been told by a gray-haired old-timer.
Other reading on this in this career tip series: Toothpaste Engineering, and Career Tip # 14: Right versus Wrong
Finding a mentor is so important. A mentor can be anyone more senior who takes enough of interest in you to help you through your career. I find that they can be a great sounding board, advisor and someone who can put you on the right track.
krantcents recently posted..Friday Night Links: Noncents Edition
Even though I’m moving up in age, and mentoring younger employees, I still hang out with older team members and rely on their expertise. I can squeeze out whatever they know, and pass it on down. Knowledge brokering.
Double check all your facts! This is what I’d add, anyway. I’m definitely new to my career and have found that everyone does things differently – somebody who is helping train me does things by her own rules and tends to give me wrong information that gets me in trouble (not purposely, she just doesn’t adhere to rules which is more important for me since I’m new).
Daisy recently posted..Are Bloggers Really Writers?
Good add, Daisy. Double and triple check! Another set of eyes on an expensively produced report or study is key to success. Banal math errors or spelling mistakes only diminish credibility, but are easily preventable.
Also good point in picking mentors. Contrarians don’t always make for good teachers.
Very nice tips! Along with ‘look for grey-haired knowledge’ I think is something like ‘when you’re new to a job, observe and learn for a while before pushing your own ideas, no matter how clever you might think they are.’
Kurt @ Money Counselor recently posted..Money Counselor Site Tour
Hi Kurt — pushing new ideas can be a hard one, depending on how resistant to change the company is. “we’ve always done it that way” can be fatal for companies.
Young folks shouldn’t be afraid to offer free help to someone who would offer them invaluable advice. I never had a mentor so I’ve been stumbling around through life.
John @ Married (with Debt) recently posted..Spaghetti Squash: Cheap Healthy Food and Recipe
A worthy idea, John, but illegal in many states. In days past, it used to be called an apprenticeship. It makes all the sense for companies to hire young people at greatly reduced wages, or even just room and board, in exchange for training and knowledge.
I don’t think these are just for young people. I know plenty of older workers who still don’t understand these nuggets of wisdom.
Your first point reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will.” – Jack Welch.
AverageJoe recently posted..5 Fees I Hate More Than The New Spirit Airlines B.S. Bag Charge: Our Cuppa Joe Discussion
Me too, Joe. Bad habits are hard to break, especially financial ones.
Brightens prospects for PF bloggers though, does it not?
I really like Don’t Hurry. My first year out of school I tried to rush things to get great efficiency but efficiency isn’t important if you aren’t accruate. I only let minor things slip through the cracks but since then I have definitely tried to be more deliberate.
Lance@MoneyLife&More recently posted..An Easy Way to Save Money (and Calories) While Dining Out
Hi Lance — it’s like rushing to work at 75 mph in the fast lane, instead of just cruising at 65 mph in the middle lane. Maybe you get to work a couple minutes early, but a couple more minutes quiet reflection or planning in the car could be worth just as much or more.
I like the “Don’t Hurry” advice. People always look more in control when they aren’t rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off.
Crystal @ Prairie Ecothrifter recently posted..Benefits of the Great Outdoors
Hi Miss T — I use the “early” time before the meeting to schmooze or just crack a joke or two. It helps to set positive vibes.
Having a mentor is incredibly important as a young adult. There’re so many things that you don’t realize you don’t know and having someone who can point them out to you and show you the ropes is great. Often times there are hidden office politics that may influence people’s decisions, not maliciously, but in ways that might impact your projects. Having someone help you navigate these interactions and to bounce ideas off is great. Also they can be a great source of support and encouragement. And they don’t even have to be that old, they just need to have been around a little longer than you have.
Ryan @ LifeFreshOut recently posted..What is a credit report and why does it matter?
Hi Ryan, you are correct. There can be people in their early thirties with 10 years’ experience already clocked, and ready to share insights with freshly-minted graduates.
I love the advice of “Don’t Hurry”. Too often I feel like I am rushing everything, and just trying to get to the next thing (in work and life). This doesn’t work and it only makes you harried. Not hurrying also says something about your self-confidence and the quality of work you want to deliver.
American Debt Project recently posted..May 2012 Debt Update and 2012 Goals Check-In
Not to mention avoiding internal baths of cortisol.
This is really valuable advice! Not a lot of younger people feel like they can reach out to the more experienced people in their companies, but you’re right – when they leave a little bit of knowledge does go away! Going the extra mile by seeking out mentorship is one sure fire way to optimize your career and your own personal learning.
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted..How the Debate Over Student Loan Interest Rates Affects You
Hi Shannon – with a few exceptions, I’ve found people more than ready to share when prompted by a few appropriate questions.
That’s great to hear that you found people who were willing to help you! Hopefully this will inspire young professionals to do the same thing you did!
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted..Credit Unions vs. Banks: Which Should You Choose?