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Know Thyself: Launch a Business Doing What You Love
June 18, 2010
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“Julie and Julia” and your career -Part One
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Know Thyself: and Then Forget What You Know
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Know Thyself: Feeling Gracious? Or is It Something Else?
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Know Thyself: Emotional Intelligence and Your Viability as a Job Candidate.
June 8, 2010
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Know Thyself: Put Your Best You Forward.
June 4, 2010
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Learning from UpModels: Challenge the Norm
April 18, 2009 | Author: Aswan Morgan | Filed under: Moving Up, Setting Goals
I was talking to our Director of Methodology, Lisa Strand, earlier this week and she related a story about a one-finned sea turtle that was doomed to swim in circles until a 21-year old intern at a rehabilitation center devised an apparatus to fix its orientation. Despite his boss’ skepticism, Tom Wilson designed and engineered a neoprene suit with a carbon-fiber dorsal fin that allowed the sea turtle to swim as normal.
The lesson here isn’t that we should all devote our lives to rehabilitating injured animals (albeit admirable). Rather, as Lisa explained, this kind of behavior underscores the trait we see in many of our UpModels; specifically, if you have a qualified idea, don’t be afraid to share it with higher-ups. Wilson confidently pushed for his idea and despite his boss’ doubt, he gave it a shot and it worked. Many successful professionals are known for taking a chance, sticking their neck out, and being intrapreneurs.
UpModel Natalee Roan is a prime example, who explains “My entire career has been one of convincing people to take a chance on me.” As a professional in the mobile telecom industry, she challenged the way cellular service plans were packaged and contributed to the emergence of the bucketed minutes model versus pay-as-you-go. When Harold Koenigsaecker, another UpModel, was laid off from Community Bank, he was the only person let go that thought to march directly to HR and find out what positions were available. He applied and landed a new job within the same company.
A lesson to learn from your UpModel: Be vocal; be assertive.
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