1/16/11

What Do You Want To Be When You Are All Grown Up?

Values, Visions and Missions are all important concepts that a sales or management professional should always be cognizant of to best serve themselves, their families, their constituents, their peers, employees and clientele.

I recently had coffee with a friend of mine who is an extremely talented lady.  Not only does she have her doctorate, but she is street smart, logical, dedicated, driven and exceptionally talented manager of people and problem solver.

She has reached a cross roads in her career and just felt she needed to speak with a friend for additional guidance.  And to say the least, I was honored she chose me. 

Her career path had suddenly offered her more than one opportunity with each being somewhat different from each other and she was conflicted.  After listening to her for several minutes, I felt compelled to ask her one simple question;  “What do you want to be when you are all grown up?”  Of course we both kind of laughed, but I chose to purse the question.  “I really mean that” I said.  “What do you want to be when you are all grown up?”

I continued with, “….these career opportunities – are they about the money, the prestige, the power, the personal gratification?  What is your vision for you?”

Exactly like employees, employers want to know what is in it for them.  What are you going to do better for me/us that you didn’t or weren’t able to do at your last career assignment?  What is going to make you feel good about you to ensure a lengthy tenure with me/us?

Vision is like painting a unique picture of what you ultimately want to become.  This is true for an individual or a company.  Vision’s impact should reflect the way you manage and the way you carry yourself through life.

Values are guiding principles, fundamental beliefs and expected behaviors.  Values will provide a cohesive culture that is critical in keeping one on track and supporting the realistic corporate culture of an organization, not to mention oneself.

Your Mission should be the fundamental purpose and inner core of Visions and Values.  If you only focus on the present, it emphasizes what you are at this instant and not what you strive to become.

With all that said, “….what do YOU want become when you are all grown up?”


Regards,
George F. Mancuso, CPC
President
Client Growth Resources