Volume II Issue 5 • June 26, 2014

Note from Susan and Lynn

Happy Summer!

Susan was spending some time in the country recently observing the wildlife around her. She reflected on how squirrels, birds, rabbits and deer all instinctively know what to do to take care of themselves. Why is it so hard for women?

We actually do have a natural way to help us make decisions – if we let it. This month we write about listening to that inner voice in the midst of well-intentioned advice from others.

The 5 Strategies to Own Your Career™ program is all about recognizing those instincts that drive us – sometimes to our detriment – and developing skills that override the detrimental behaviors. If you’d like to learn more about the 5 Strategies virtual program starting in August contact us at seminars@womenleadingtogether.com.

Warm Regards,

Lynn and Susan

Feature Article

Career Advice: Should You Listen?

It’s hard enough to make career decisions and maintain balance in your priorities. It’s even worse when you are being told by others what you “should” do. There are always plenty of people who want to give us their well-intentioned advice. Relying too much on the advice and expectations of others can actually take us off our desired career path.

Certainly there is a time and place for guidance from others. In fact, we recommend that you seek out multiple perspectives when making major decisions. But when it’s time to make the final decision on whether to take that new job, move to another city, lead that project, get involved in the next big thing…the final decision has to come from you.

Susan tells a story about a point in her career when she was under pressure from others to take her career in a direction she didn’t want to go.

“I was just coming out of a difficult job that I had not liked. It didn’t play to my strengths nor did it have elements that energized me. I was tired, drained and glad to get out of that job. I had been offered another position which played to my strengths, had leadership challenges that I loved and responsibilities that energized me. It wasn’t a high profile job, but I was pumped about taking it on.

“Just as I was about to start the new job I was approached by two senior executives proposing that I take a different job. This alternative job would not only be similar to the job I hadn’t liked, it would be bigger in scope, responsibility and visibility. By most measures, it was one of the plum jobs in my function.

“I was flattered, and almost got hooked by my ego. They want ME for this job!

“Fortunately I paused, and asked for the weekend to think about it. They were shocked that I didn’t jump at the chance to take the job. Over the weekend I sought the guidance of a friend. She told me, ‘Susan, this is the brass ring! You have to go for it!’

“But it didn’t feel right. In my heart of hearts I knew I needed to turn it down. On Monday I turned the job down, and probably lost some supporters in doing so, but I spent the rest of my corporate career doing jobs I loved. For me that was a much greater measure of success.”

It’s easy to be pulled in a direction that others feel is best for us. Only you know what is best. Here are three things you must do when faced with any major decision, especially if you are being influenced by others:

Remove yourself from the situation. Before you can gain clarity, you need time away from whomever and whatever is influencing you. Give yourself physical and emotional space to independently consider the issue.
Give yourself time. Don’t succumb to the time table of others if you’re on the fence. You can almost always get more time to consider the decision. If you’re not clear, and you absolutely have to answer, then the answer is likely to be “no”.
Be quiet. This is something we don’t do a lot these days – spend time in silence. It’s critical to getting clear. Take time to listen to your inner voice. Every right decision will feel good. If you feel nothing, or it feels unsettling, then it’s not the right decision, no matter how many people say you “should”.

Taking the time to do these three things will help you make sound decisions. If you are interested in learning how to keep your career on the right path, contact us about our 5 Strategies to Own Your Career™ virtual program starting in August 2014.

Resource Corner

Winning From Within: A Breakthrough Method for Leading, Living and Lasting Change by Erica Ariel Fox

We recently saw Ms. Fox speak about her book. She encourages us to recognize and balance the four components of ourselves: the dreamer, thinker, lover and warrior. We wouldn’t call it a “method for change” as the title promises, but it does give some food for thought on how to allow the “Big Four” as she calls it, to show up in your life.

Upcoming Events

August 2014- 5 Strategies to Own Your Career Virtual Program

About Susan and Lynn

Susan Hodge and Lynn Rousseau created Women Leading Together in order to provide seminars, workshops, and coaching circles to help career women move forward to create fulfilling careers. Visit our website at www.WomenLeadingTogether.com.

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Events

5 Strategies to Own Your Career Virtual Program Begins August 2014

Click here to have Susan and Lynn speak at your event in 2014