Written by Ian Salsman
One of the hardest things to define for an individual is one’s purpose? “Just what is my ‘purpose’? Why do I want to do what I do.”
So, you have a choice here. You can either (1) look for a job and hopefully find it or (2) look for something in line with your purpose. One will land you ANYWHERE but will likely not bring you fulfillment or make you productive. The other will carve out that special place in the universe that had been set aside just for you.
To introduce today’s keynote speaker was Sandi Ashton with her zest for life and passion to communicate hope for all. Transition was her word today. “How we respond to circumstance is always a matter of choice.” Leaders are masters of the “ambiguity of change” learning to adapt to uncertainties that are part of the very definition of transition. This all was, in my opinion, an excellent lead-in for this morning’s address.
Keynote
Brian Mohr,“full of caffeine and raring to go,” asked on simple question to each of us: “What did you want to be when you grew up?” What did I want to be? Hmmmmmm….. Do you mean beyond being the world’s greatest hockey player?
One man wanted to be a doctor. Why? Because he liked golf, liked helping people, and thought that his family doctor was a really great guy. He is not a doctor.
Another gentleman said he dreamed of being President. Something about politics intrigues him. He did not become President…or go into politics.
A third man said, “Paleontologist.” [That is the study of dinosaurs.] He wanted the life of Indiana Jones full of adventure all of the time and get paid well. He learned that the days were boring, you did not get paid well and you needed a medical degree. He did NOT become a paleontologist.
Only one man, who wanted to become a stockbroker, actually became what he wanted to become: a stockbroker!
But for Brian, it was a Rock Star. Oh, how he idolized the girls, the fame and the money inherent with such notoriety. That was his dream. He did not become a Rock Star although he loves music. Nevertheless, he said, he did reach the real dream later in life in a very interesting manner. No, it did not involve girls or fame or lots of money. He realized that music communicates to the heart of people. This ability to communicate a message – a heartfelt message – was more of a driver for him than girls, money or fame. THAT really was the core of why he wanted to be a Rock Star.
He also learned from an experience where he managed a Bank One branch, that it was not the job that motivated him, but that he was able to provide means that others will meet their dreams.
How does this factor into the “What’s Your Why?”
To start with, times have changed. Only 15 years ago, the number one place to find a job was through the job listings in the local newspaper. Since then the “humanness” has been lost because of the ease of clicking the computer mouse. Before, one would have to work hard to apply for a job….today you can quickly saturate the job market with resumes for jobs for which you should not even be applying. This lack of humanness has lead to hiring companies missing out on one thing: purpose – YOUR purpose.
Here are some gripping stats that indicate the lack of purpose in the workplace according to the Gallup Q12 (survey designed to measure employee engagement)
29% employees are engaged in their job
52% employees are disengaged
19% employees are actively disengaged
In other words, 71% of the workforce for either underperforming or are undermining their work.
This means $355 billions of lost productivity in a given year.
The hiring process is partly to blame. The computer can measure what you have done, but it cannot measure who you are and it is the “who you are” that makes the difference for the company and for the worker.
There are three factors that lead to better performance (and you can see this on Daniel Pink’s YouTube video):
Autonomy – the desire to be self directed.
Mastery – the desire to get better at something.
Purpose – what you do MATTERS.
Looking to serve your PURPOSE will get you further than simply looking for your JOB. There are lots of “jobs” out there but only one “purpose.” Brian encouraged us to seek out the company for which you want to work…not the job.
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only a lack of purpose or meaning.”
-Dr. Viktor Frankl
Resources
Localwork.com
Ryan Naylor
The main factor for many people in considering jobs is the corporate culture…not the benefit package. If we want to make an impact in our communities, we must have a strong workforce. Localwork.com is a local employment website commited to finding local employers wanting to hire local talent. Focusing on local jobs, Localwork.com won’t sell your information and they have a plethoria of tools such as Video Resumes, Social Media connections and Verified Letters of Recommendations to help the job seeker. They host six job fairs per year with the next one being in May.
Training To You
John Dvorak
John shared with us the extensive training programs they have in a variety of areas. Through the Workforce Investment Act, you can qualify to have the tuition covered…so there is little excuse not to explore further.
Hiring Companies
Telesphere
Karen Smith, Vice President of People Development
Telesphere has partnered with Y Scouts to completely revamp how they go about finding employees. They are a Cloud Communication Solution Provider. Their company’s values are to WOW the customer; hire, challenge and reward people; run lean – think big; deliver innovative quality services; and succeed with teamwork. They have several current opnings from Senior Voice Engineer to Indirect Channel Managers. Go to www.teleshpere.com for more. … oh, they also have free ice cream.
Goodwill of Central Arizona
Holly Schor, Manager, Talent Acquisition
Goodwill of Central Arizona has gone past the old second hand store to a thriving business with more than 6.5 million customer transactions last year in Arizona alone. Still based upon resale of donated items, Goodwill has a big stake in Employment Services. As a non-profit, they, themselves anticipate adding 200 new positions this year alone from commercial maintenance, retail operations, goodwill career centers and corporate services. It is all about pride in Goodwill, the team and to yourself.
…and, please, keep donating.
EDMC Online Higher Education
Ryanne Dean, Staffing Specialist
EDMC is one of the largest and most diverse for-profit post-secondary education companies. Thousands of students are enrolled through EDMC to the Art Institutes, Argosy University, South University and more. Investing in school and education is an investment in yourself where age is truly irrelevant. They have a good benefit package. Go to their website for more information.
In Closing
Sandi closed the meeting reminding us of the next event in Gilbert on May 14, 2013. Also, please volunteer. There is plenty to do for Career Connectors as they serve so many who are in job transitions.
In the end, what is it you want to do when you grow up? Decide, then go be that.
