Rosabeth Moss Kanter
I want to share with you a conversation I had with a client of mine whom I consider also a friend Mr Jon Herrera. Jon along with his sister Rosario are the people behind some of the newest and trendiest places such as Greyone Social, Status Magazine, Styles Entertainment, Trilogy Boutique, Embassy Superclub and now Encore.
After just several years Jon and company had been able to create and reinvent the way we shop, dine, party and be entertained. As early as 2003 I've had this sort of prediction that a new breed of businessmen, from different originations, philosophies and cultures are going to take Philippine business by storm. The umbrella company of Styles Entertainment is definitely one if not the first of them.
I was having lunch with Jon early this year and I was asking him how he started on his journey to success. His answer to me was very simple yet profound. He said
"Everybody sees the swan but not the ugly duckling that came before that."
"Everybody sees the swan but not the ugly duckling that came before that."
Simple, but very true.
He then went on to share his story with me when he was just 18. He said he wrote down in his journals his visions for his future. He wanted to be a DJ, own a cafe and restaurant and be a successful entrepreneur. Coming from a conservative background in the States he did have his share of doubters and naysayers, but went on to burn his ships as the story goes and never looked back. True enough though, acting as if it was impossible to fail Jon realized his dream of becoming a DJ, owning a cafe and restaurant, while having the time of his life doing it!
So what made the difference for Jon that's so elusive to so many? Was it a cosmic alignment of the solar system that made the sequence of events conducive for him to succeed or was it just a lucky roll of a dice? Did he have something about him the same with every other successful person that none of us has discovered yet?
I have had the wonderful opportunity to help several companies create and develop their own Values, Mission
Picture yourself like a ship, complete with a dock, sail and crew. Chart a clear course and more often than not you will reach your destination. Get that same ship, complete with everything but a destination and you will get nothing but a piece of metal and wood being swept by the waves treading where the winds take it. You'd be lucky if you ever leave the docks at all.
The very first but also most important step in Personal Development is creating your own vision. Unfortunately this is where a lot of people get stuck or get it all wrong. "To become a millionaire by thirty" or "Simply fulfill my dreams" won't cut it. I have several signposts for you that I hope can help you draw up a clear vision for yourself:
1.) Whose dream is it? - a lot of people get caught up in the hype of materialism that they are lead to believe someone else's dream is also theirs. Are you pursuing a career that YOU chose yourself or did someone else plot it out for you? I took up Accountancy in college only to find out I didn't want to spend the rest of my life behind a desk. I found out later on that I enjoyed designing and being creative. I particularly enjoyed interacting with people, a lot of them which was something I wouldn't have been able to do in front of ledgers and worksheets.
On the other hand, so many of us believe that having a six figure salary is the penultimate point that you have "made it" Tell that to a friend of mine named Eugene who works as a highly paid executive in New York. He does get his six figures, the quarterly travels and all the perks but never considers himself a success. His setbacks in his personal relationships mask the glitter of all the rewards he's been receiving. Wouldn't you want to be working so hard and be genuinely thankful, not resentful for where you have gone? If you kept on doing what you are doing now, where would you want to be? This brings me to the next point:
2.) What pushes you? - I sincerely believe that one of the best motivators for any person is the opportunity to be recognized for something they do well. With that being said I understand why some many people dread going to work everyday. They simply are not in a position where they have the chance to shine, or are doing something that does not credit their talents and skills. What is it that you are good at? Is it making and executing sales presentations, designing marketing collaterals or putting together software programs? This is called your core competence.
Your core literally means from your center, your gut. This is what keeps your creative juices flowing, it's what excites you to come to work in the morning and stay up a little bit more at night. Eventually this core competence is what picks you out from the crowd and gets you ahead. Identifying a person for what he does well and rewards him for it in time pushes them to go further in performance and deeper in commitment.
Sadly not too many of us are in a position right now where we are chasing a dream we have always wanted, or do something that fuels our God given abilities but do not despair. Today is as good a day as any to reflect and take action. Companies go to great lengths and distances to conduct strategic planning sessions. I just hope they don't come out of those brainstorming sessions just to reiterate a singular vision of being more profitable.
Ask yourself the questions I posed on those signposts, see if your personal mission aligns with the culture of your company and that it fosters the development of your talents and skills. If you suddenly find yourself lost and in need of a push, just keep that image of where you want to be, how you can help other people and make a difference right in your sights. Then ask yourself the same question Jon gave me once you've finalized your vision:
"What book are you reading?"
0 comments:
Post a Comment