Don't Make This Mistake When They Call for the Interview
Recently a client told me of a firing squad interview experience that warrants a share and checklist.Â
Thirteen candidates were interviewed in a large room, 20 feet apart, by 12 people who scored them on three questions. Their names were drawn from a hat as to who would go first for all three questions. Candidates could hear other candidateâs responses. There would be a second round of these interviews to reduce a pool of 26 candidates to 4.Â
Question Checklist for When They Call to Schedule the Interview. Ask:
- Who will conduct the interview and their title. Who else will be present/title?Â
- Where will the actual interview occur? Not just where do you meet the HR professional.Â
- How much time is allocated for the interview?Â
- What do you see as the biggest challenge of the position and what should I focus on in my preparation? Â
- Please send me the complete job description? It may have not been posted online in its entirety. Â
- Will there be other candidates in ...
The Tool to Narrow the Gap in the Equation of Career Happiness
Throughout my years as an executive coach I have seen people triumph over immense hardship while others falter over minutiae. Iâve seen a sense of urgency spearhead achievement while chronic victimization hamstring progress. Iâve been party to personal transformations because people risk vulnerability with great courage and Iâve seen stagnation be the end-product of complaining about unmet expectations. Most often the underachievers carry self-doubt that they donât know how to convert to confidence.Â
Itâs pretty clear to me what makes people happy and empowered to create the life they want and what does not. Itâs a simple equation.Â
The Golden Rule of Happiness
The shorter the distance between what you want and where you are the happier you will be and the more risks you will take.Â
You Want a Better Job
Letâs say you want to move up in your career, possibly changing companies. And right now you are in a miserable role. There is an undeniably huge gap between what you want and whe...
Breaking the Cycle of the Treadmill to Nowhere
As an executive coach I see three main challenges repeatedly surface for leaders seeking to better their careers, teams and relationships.Â
- The Treadmill to NowhereÂ
When things arenât going well people get stressed and think that if they just try harder the situation will get better. They focus on one size-fits-all strategies such as â work more hours, hold more meetings, take a course, call a recruiter, network more, get another degree, put in for another promotion, change for the sake of change, read more self-help or business books. They think things will improve because of their fierce dedication when in fact doing more of the same just brings more disappointment, let down from unmet expectations, stress, lack of confidence and makes them feel exhausted on the treadmill to nowhere. They seek âmoreâ instead of less. They canât slow down enough to be vulnerable â to risk searching inside themselves where the answers always lie. So they end up more tired and stuck.Â
- All the ...
No one wants to hurt
Recently I had the honor of attending a mindfulness presentation and meditation session by Buddhist Monk Dr. Barry Karzin, physician for The Dalai Lama, sponsored by UPMC in celebration of Nurses Week.
He reminded us that one of the kindest things we can do for someone we are serving, no matter what the industry, is to ask them, âWhatâs the most important thing I can do for you today?â
There is no word in the Tibetan language or in Buddhism for âguiltâ because when we have healthy confidence no one is ever condescended to. There is no putting down - especially of oneâs self - only compassion. Compassion is the desire and action to alleviate suffering. Loving others, especially when their behavior makes it difficult, helps us to be compassionate.
We all want to be happy. No one wants to hurt.
Your coach,
Mary Lee
P.S. Money replenishes itself. Time does not.  Click here to request a call with me and let's talk about your situation.
Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAEÂ is an International ...
The Seven Deadly Sins Leaders Commit That Hold Them Back
The Seven Deadly Sins is a group of vices within religious teachings that are known as excessive versions of one's natural faculties. Though identified by desert fathers in the third century as passions one needed to overcome, these shortcomings play out today in the workforce. And they can make you pretty scary to deal with.
- Pride that you are more capable than your employees. How gratifying is it to be dubbed âKing Know-It-Allâ when everybody hates your guts? When you make all the decisions and give continual directives it cuts off their independence and desire to take risks. Innovation suffers and disengagement grows. Hire good people and get out of their way.Â
- Sloth in your dedication to develop your personal growth and that of your team. You develop projects but how often do you develop your emotional intelligence? When was the last time you asked an employee, âWhere do you see yourself three years from now? What project would you like to develop?â What mindful routines do ...
The Dos and Donâts of Executive Presence When the Pressure is On
When you are in that high-stakes meeting, sales presentation, interaction, or conflict your executive presence is both emotional and physiological. Your thoughts race and your heart rate escalates. People watch you. How do you execute when the pressure is on?
Confidence and self-esteem are two different things. Both are essential for executive presence. Confidence is being capable, but that isnât enough. Self-esteem is feeling worthy â that you belong. We build both intentionally by challenging ourselves and regulating our emotions in the moment. That means you know the goal but focus on being your best without pre-occupation with your performance. Slow down your breathing and move your focus from anxious thoughts to following your breath. That clearing allows you to observe your behavior before emotions move you into a fight-or-flight mentality.  Â
A prime athlete trains to win. When the game is played she isnât focused on the score, just doing her best right now. A good goalie know...
Self-Awareness Building Questions to Answer Before the Interview
Before you spend time preparing to answer difficult interview questions here are some questions to ask yourself. If you can answer these questions you will better be able to position your signature strengths in alignment with the companyâs goals.Â
Self-Awareness Building Questions to Answer Before the InterviewÂ
- Do you understand the purpose of the business for which you are interviewing? Study it on their web site. Ask people who know the organization questions about the culture. Be able to describe what your impression is and ask questions about it. Say it out loud.
- Why are you passionate about the company mission? How do your values align with the companyâs values? Say this out loud.
- Have you defined your transferable skills -Â click here for free training on Transferable Skills and other ways to advance in your career)- from your education and experience that can be applied to this position? Can you recite them out loud?
- What signature strength do you have that can bring valu ...
Five Ways to Establish a Strong Leadership Brand
Create a five-column matrix and fill in the blanks with responses to the following points. When we have humility to mindfully accept the truth of our situation on paper, it gives us a tangible and actionable plan to execute and track.Â
- Your Aspiration: List three things you want to be known for.  Â
If you arenât sure, imagine you were giving your retirement speech. Looking back, what would you comment on as your most fulfilling accomplishments?Â
- Their Perception: What do you suppose your colleagues would say about you now? Be honest.Â
Ask yourself this: What would be said about you at your funeral by 1) a friend 2) a family member and 3) a work colleague? What would those who donât care for you say?Â
- Your Reality: Ask five people you work closely with how they would describe you at work.
Send an email to five unbiased people with whom you have worked over the last year. Tell them you are working on your leadership development and want to know how they would describe...
Holiday Weekend Aha Moment
This past holiday weekend held a moment where I realized that with all we work so hard to achieve and how we strive for perfect experiences that the greatest feelings in life come when your hair is down and no one is watching. Fortunately for me my daughter was watching and captured this one with my grandson. Love on the Chesapeake.
With work, with family and with just about any situation we can get stuck projecting what we want the situation to be like to suit our needs. I used to do this a lot with family get togethers. As leaders we repeat this blind habit because we think our almighty discernment is always necessary. My life is so much more peaceful and rewarding when I don't have to direct it like a movie but when I can watch it like entertainment. Believe me - there are plenty of comical moments. When I think back to how often I wanted things to be on my terms and how really silly I was to think I could actually make that happen it makes me chuckle. Insight is enlightening. Wisd...
Three Ways to Manage Up When You Have a Bad Boss
One of the tests of being a leader is knowing how to navigate a boss who doesnât score highly as a leader him/herself.
Mapping a Course to Manage a Difficult BossÂ
- Manage YourselfÂ
Start from the perspective that the disconnect might be a miscommunication. âI want to make sure I understand what you need from me.â Then clarify. Â
If you internalize a bad bossâs anger, insecurity or lack of skill you could allow your weaknesses to show instead of your strengths to shine. Their lack of confidence, disorganization or lack of inclusiveness is about them. Not you. Donât mirror their insecurity. Be self-aware. Who are you when under fire? How do you demonstrate grace and grit â executive presence? If your work life were a movie who would play you and what would he/she do in your situation?Â
Be a mindful third-party observer of your own thoughts and feelings. Ask yourself what is really going on with you? What are you afraid of? That you wonât get recognition for your work? Is recogn...