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About a month ago, my daughter Maggie was a guest blogger on Contemporary Working.  Check out what she wrote in Find a Job.  It was about her year long job search.

I was supposed to follow up the next week with parenting words of wisdom… about patience, support and encouragement.  I waited for a few weeks and then things began to heat up.  Maggie had a few interviews and was invited back for second looks.  The stars were aligning  — I felt something good was about to happen so I waited a bit longer. 

Well, it happened.  Last Friday she received the call and was offered the “perfect job.”  (I thought I had that!)  She’s working for a recognized organization in downtown Chicago.  Besides exposure to some really nice, smart people who work hard (my model for top talent), she’ll be part of delivering a customer experience that reinforces the organization’s brand.  She’s with a group that thrives on learning and innovation.  What could be better for a recent college grad?  I’m elated and proud of Maggie. 

She’s learned a lot this last year and it’s all applicable to her new career. 

• Persistence — she kept on looking, knowing that opening one door would lead to other doors.
• Never give up — ever.
• Patience — sometimes you can’t force things or make things happen on your timetable.
• Learning as a way of life — she volunteered, researched, interviewed and wrote about her areas of interest… progressive not-for-profits and social entrepreneurship.
• Networking — meeting new people, asking questions and following up.

Interestingly, these behaviors and characteristics will serve anyone well and probably will separate the successful candidate from the rest of the pack.  They seem similar to my parents’ advice.  I must’ve listened and passed on these behaviors to Maggie.

Good advice is timeless!

The answer to yesterday’s question is the one hiding modestly at the end of the list . . . humility.

That may seem 100% counterintuitive when you picture today’s stereotypical CEO.  But according to various workplace gurus (including the research team behind the landmark business book Good to Great), it’s true. In short, leaders who are truly (1) servant-hearted, (2) able to put others and the organization first and (3) willing to listen with humility to other points of view are the ones that people will follow.

So, I humbly suggest that you ask yourself this question today:  Do others see humility in me? If you want to be a truly great leader, the answer should be a resounding “YES.”

Mark has a question for all of you . . . _____________________________________________________________

According to studies conducted by big-brained business researchers, what is the absolute #1 most important trait a leader must have to be successful? Here are your choices:

1. Charisma
2. Intelligence
3. Proactivity
4. Results-orientation
5. Communication skills
6. Smooth dance moves
7. Coordinating accessories
8. Humility

Tune in tomorrow for the answer.

You all know that I’m currently undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.  My attitude has been good — but not great.  The serious nature of my diagnosis meant that my mind often went where it shouldn’t go.  And while I’ve tolerated the treatment relatively well, when my mind was in that bad place, I felt much worse physically.

I got some very good news last week.  The lesions on my bones have either shrunk or disappeared — so the treatment is working.  Woo hoo!  This news has given me a much more optimistic attitude as well as confidence that this will go on for years and years into the future — a future I wasn’t convinced I had.

There is a lesson here that I’m going to try to remember.  Our minds have amazing power over our bodies.  When I was less-than-positive, my body reacted in negative ways.  Good news means my body is reacting in positive ways.  And I have to think that my new attitude affects how my body will continue to accept treatment and heal.

Don’t ever estimate the power of your mind!

Now for Maggie’s words of wisdom…

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My dad approached me about writing this entry for Melanie’s Contemporary Working blog over a glass of wine during my first visit home after taking the big plunge and moving to Chicago — jobless.  His sales pitch was, “Just a short message about a young person in the workforce.”  With a chuckle I replied, “You mean a young person NOT in the workforce!”

After graduating in May of 2008, I moved home — like many of my friends.  However, I was quite sure I’d find something great shortly thereafter.  I don’t need to tell you that the market is bad.  While others are feeling it in much more significant ways, I never imagined finding a job would be so difficult.

My game plan has been to get my name and resume out to as many people as possible.  I quickly had to get over the scary prospect of picking up the phone and pleading my case.  But for the most part, every person I’ve encountered has been extremely kind and willing to help in any way they can.  Unfortunately none of these connections has led to a job!

While I’m enjoying every minute of city life in Chicago, the last year at home had some significant positives:

• Bonus time with Mom and Dad:  I am so lucky to have parents who made living with them fun.  I wouldn’t have the confidence to pursue a job that makes a difference without their continued, loving support.
• Volunteering:  Lots of free time has given me the opportunity to identify organizations I feel are doing excellent work in the community.  I’ve gotten involved and I love it.
• Planning ahead:  My latest plan is studying for the GMAT with the hope of getting my MBA in the near future.  It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead!

I remain confident that I’ll find the perfect job for me.  And I look forward to being in a position where I can help those who have been so kind to me over the last year.  And I still fill my free time with volunteering, studying and exploring the city.

But for now, Find a Job will remain at the top of my To Do list.

From Cathy…

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Change is growth… That was the poster in the Manpower office when I first applied for a position with the company in Springfield, Massachusetts over 28 years ago. 

It’s all the rage these days to change companies every three to five years.  Statistics tell us that the average student graduating today will work at seven to ten companies over the course of a career.  I see evidence of this every day when I get invited to join someone’s LinkedIn network or I get “Facebooked” by someone (when did that word become a verb?).

Have I changed jobs that often?  I must admit that I have.  By changing jobs every three to five years I’ve learned new skills, met different people and developed my career.  It has been a very rewarding experience and I regret nothing.  And I’ve always been lucky enough to do work that is meaningful and has value.

The most important thing I always look for at work is getting the balance right for me.  Am I challenged enough?  Learning new things?  Meeting people I enjoy spending my time with?  And most of all, does the way I spend my time earning a living matter in the world?  If work is not meaningful, it isn’t the right company for me.  

So back to the day I walked into that office in Springfield.  I was a newly minted college grad looking for my opportunity to change the world.  Here I am 28 years later, older and somewhat jaded, but still having fun every day.  Yes, I changed jobs often — but I always stayed at Manpower.

My point is this, you don’t have to leave where you are to find what you are looking for.  I found a lifetime of meaningful work and challenges at one company. When you search for a career think about the right company and explore your options to stay and grow. Change may mean growth, but it doesn’t always have to mean a new company — if you pick well.

When he saw me bald for the first time a few days ago his instant response was, “You look good, but this doesn’t change you as a person.  You’re still who you are.”

Good answer, Benny.  What a guy!

• Please, please don’t give me medical advice (unless you’re on my team of doctors).  I trust the medical care I’ve chosen and I really don’t want someone — I know you mean well — undermining my confidence by making a recommendation that is different from what I’ve decided is the best course of treatment for me.  Again — I know you mean well.  But I don’t want my decisions second-guessed by a lay person.
• I also don’t want you to tell me how or what to eat.
• And since I’m now bald, there is another “elephant in the room” for me.  If someone  looks different, my advice is to acknowledge it.  If you ignore it I either think you’ve never looked me in the eye so didn’t notice that I’m shiny bald OR you’re afraid and choose to ignore it.  Remember — don’t ignore me!

My intention with this advice is not to sound parental or judgmental — so please take it in the spirit I’ve intended.  I hope I can increase your comfort level and the comfort level of those who are sick.

P.S.  I still feel great!  Stay tuned for pix of my bald head.

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Like Melanie, I do admit to watching reality TV.  My kids love Wipe Out on Wednesday nights on ABC.  When I’m traveling, I often receive texts from my nine-year-old (using his mom’s phone) about the show.  I’m lucky — texting Dad is cool!

Anyway, let me get to the point:  Watch the show and then try to tell me that it doesn’t remind you of a typical week at your job.  Obstacles, mud, surprise attacks, spinning wheels, waterfalls….  The expectation is that you complete the task at a fast and furious pace.  Always on the clock.  Constantly dodging “bullets.”

Each contestant can be compared to a day in the week.  Some crash and burn.  Others conquer the bouncy red balls in record time.  I dare you to think of your job the way the contestants think of Wipe Out — what an awesome challenge!

I choose to rule the world tomorrow.  Can you promise yourself the same?

Do you have any better examples of strange places to find workplace inspiration?

You don’t want to miss it!