Not All Things That Can Be Counted Count

By Victor Escalante, NewsTaco

Years ago Steve attended one of my Emotional Intelligence classes at UTEP. His company had sent him with the warning that if he did not attend, he would be terminated. He shared this with me at the end of the class after he learned what he was missing.

Over the course of my life, I have met many highly educated people who had significant deficits in the emotional quotient. Some have been my managers, peers, clients, or subordinates that just didn’t understand how to play the game of life.

The causes of these deficiencies can be traced back to early childhood development, that’s the bad news. However, the good news is that these can be overcome through many different means. Today’s post is a reflection on my life’s path. My hope is that it gives you some food for thought and something you can take away. Much of this information does not come neatly packaged in a college degree. So let’s roll this way.

Develop a reputation for being a fast doer. Yesterday, I had a conversation with a manager that needs to hire employees with a desired skill set that is hard to find. His cliché statement bears repeating, “Good help is hard to find.” In spite of the high unemployment rate there is a ten to fifteen percent rate of open positions (all the time), due to attrition from people moving, retiring, or quitting. Doers don’t wait to be told what to do. They not only act as they are told but get things to do when they are finished before the next assignment. They follow through to completion, and they are confident and proud of their work. A doer reputation can be your calling card.

Always show up! I am amazed at the number of people that never follow through in showing up for an appointment. They schedule appointments or promise things that they have no intention of following through.  I recently had to buy a large ticket item. Two vendors gave me an approximate quote over the phone. One asked me to email him pictures of what I needed. The one that got the order came over within an hour, measured, we discussed options, and he walked away with an order. He showed up! I will use him in the future and would not hesitate to recommend him.

Become an expert, at what you do. This means that you learn as many possible ways that something should not be done so that you do it the best way possible remarkably consistently.

Choose a career that makes your work, your avocation. You will never be bored, and your advanced skills will command top dollar. I have worked with clients that wanted to change careers, due to the burnout.  When you are young if you have to choose between two jobs, one that pay more, and one that gives you valuable experience, choose experience. The money will come later.

Develop a customer service mentality for both internal and external customers. If you benefit peers in what they need, you create value. What have you done for others today? Social networks are full of pseudo friends that just watch on the sidelines. They never do anything for others. The Pareto principle will always apply, only 20% of your online networks are friends, and a smaller number are those you can count on.

Cultivate a real life network of people in high places that know you for what you do. Old school networking still needs to be part of your repertoire. Attend as many business networking events and trade shows as you can. This network is extremely helpful when you need something or will need something in the future.

Steve was lacking in “Consideration for Others” in his treatment of his support staff.  Empathy is the ability to step outside of one’s mind and know what the other person is feeling and personal limitations. When you understand others and their driving motivation you adapt to them in a way that builds teamwork.

Know who you are and who you are not. Work at becoming your own person not dependent on the approval of others or the need to fit in. When you reach a point you don’t need others to feel good, you are free to inter-relate in a healthy and effective fashion. The opposite leads you to a life of co-dependency that is full of emotional frustration.