Since late September, we've been telling ourselves we're okay. That it's nothing more than writer's depression. That it's nothing serious.
Heck, it isn't. Turns out, we've just been making things complicated all along. Thanks to an email we've received on Linkedin from a professor, we're back...we think.
As surprised as we were by our reply, we were equally surprised that it was true. That our depression had nothing to do with writer's block, and was just in fact, the product of defense mechanism.
But really, we don't care so much about all that. What really, really irritates us beyond all patience, is this one thing.
It's depressing that we haven't published anything worthy to be bookmarked on this blog for a long time: a reality that we feel rather ashamed to admit, but well, this delusion has got to end. And so we've sworn to make today conducive for discussions, something that will get you to a career development or job hunting mood.
We don't want you to expect too much, but here's the thing: you won't leave this blog without learning something new today. In our perspective (probably because we're career writers), promises are sacred deals and aren't meant to be broken. Those are probably enough for assurance.
So, are you ready?
Brian Tracy. We're pretty sure you find the name familiar. He's the founder of Tracy Training Consultancy and we've been featuring his articles on this blog since early October when Career Advice has started its big revamp for updates. Ranging from leadership skills to career management, citing Brian's articles is like answering two or three questions in one go. Not that we're lazy to give each of the questions in our mailbox a thorough answer (we're ending our "delusion" today, remember?), but well, it just so happens that Brian's articles can help us go over the task much easier. That will give us more time to accommodate other concerns such as Singapore job updates, media announcements, among others.
So far, Career Advice has three career resources from Brian Tracy, discussing communication skills, a leadership style, and a strategy for career planning. We'll give you summaries for those below.
What should I do to get a second interview? What's the best way to tell my boss that I'm in need of additional benefits? Whether you're a career professional or a seeker of Singapore jobs, reading Effective Communication will give you useful scoops. The ability to communicate effectively is tied to performing effectively. For job seekers, the vitality of having such skills comes from the fact that job interviews are an important part of the recruitment process. On the other hand, for working professionals, getting promotion or salary increase is all about making effective presentations and producing results, and how they'll get their boss to notice. Achieving such outputs depends on one's ability to communicate, in other words. To express ideas correctly.
But of course, because communication is a two-way process, effective listening is also a part of the equation. "The fastest and the easiest way to achieve the understanding that leads to performance and results is to listen well", we quote. Effective communication is not possible without listening; practising these two aspects will ensure your victory over job competition or career rut. Do it with class. Remember these four elements of effective listening as listed by Brian to know how:
- listen attentively
- pause before replying
- question for clarification
- feed it back in your own words
Exactly the reason why Career Events has the topic of communicating in its priority list and why LearningDB.com offers two to three communication seminars every month. It's an aspect of career building that anyone who aims to achieve career success shouldn't ignore.
Here's the thing: no matter how many articles about interview questions you read, the knowledge won't be delivered properly without communication techniques. Same goes for working executives. Deliver your message of increased performance correctly by reading this article from Brian. It's here: www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Effective-Communication?ID=485.
A question from many senior managers: How can I motivate my staff to do more? What's a great strategy for increased performance of staff? You don't have to employ a change of leadership style if you don't want to, but we suggest you consider this scoop from Brian, nevertheless. Something about positive expectations -- motivating your staff by making them feel that they're trusted.
Brian's idea of leadership in his Positive Expectations article is built around empowerment. "The superior leader is like a catalyst in a chemical process that causes the other ingredients to work together in a superior fashion", to quote. Involve your staff to bigger projects and perhaps, join them in lunch. People need to feel that they belong. It's like playing with people's emotions in a good way, motivating them to excel through trust. Here are Brian's suggestions:
- delegation of high levels of responsibility for results
- confident attitude
- keeping staff in the know
- regular feedback in performance and results
- generosity with praise and encouragement
Give it a try. Why not exercise the style for a few months? If it's successful, maybe this leadership style's the answer to your dream of achieving an even higher position? Brian's complete idea can be found at www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Positive-Expectations?ID=475.
This last part is reserved for answering these common questions from job hunters and Singapore executives:
- What is our idea of success and how to achieve it?
- How can I stay motivated in my job hunt?
- What does self assessment have to do with career advancement?
- How can I achieve self fulfillment?
In his Maximum Achievement article, Brian has cited the following as the ingredients of successful organisations:
- peace of mind
- health and energy
- loving relationships
- financial freedom
- worthy goals and ideals
- self-understanding and self-knowledge
- self-actualisation and self-fulfillment
Individual careers run in the same manner as organisations; it goes without saying, these ingredients are the things we want you to nurture and achieve for career success. In today's competitive job market, peace of mind and energy are needed to succeed in a job search. Loving relationships and financial freedom are for continued motivation...to stay in line with the goal despite the many obstacles. As for the last three, well, let's just say someone with a career objective is much preferred by top employers and recruitment agencies.
Career professionals are bound to get the same benefits as job seekers on this, albeit in a different backdrop. The first four in the list are for motivation. The last three are for career advancement. Because really, nothing beats having a fixed career focus when it comes to excelling for a task. Visit www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Maximum-Achievement?ID=484 for the complete write up.
Have you learned anything? Or did we fail you in this important department of blogging yet again? We've efforted on this, so we hope your answer is a positive one. Please use the comment section below to deliver your thoughts.
'Till the next time.
JobsDB.com Singapore
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http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore
JobsDB.com Singapore is committed to helping every job seeker land a good job. Currently looking for a job? Browse our jobs database and see if anything is of interest to you. It doesn't matter what industry you're in -- our jobs portal caters to every industry there is in Singapore, from Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs in Singapore to IT Jobs and Singapore Hospitality Jobs. Let us lead your way to rewarding jobs in Singapore, jump start you career with us.
For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.
***edit. Because this can't wait until Friday. Find Jobs has just received new Engineer Jobs, Science Jobs, Legal Jobs, Property Jobs, Information Technology Jobs, and Education Jobs in Singapore.
