WEARING TOO MANY HATS?

There is one sure-fire way to succeed in your career and that is to develop your reputation as an expert.

Keith was an attorney who excelled at litigation. He was so successful at managing his cases and client development that his partners wanted him to manage the firm. In this new position, however, Keith was miserable. He wasn't detail-oriented by nature and he didn't feel comfortable managing other people.

This is a common problem for professionals who excel in one area. Often, the company wants to capitalize on that expertise by moving them into a management position. I see this frequently with sales people who are promoted to manage others, but then find themselves in positions that do not tap into their expertise. In fact, many struggle because they are unprepared for this new role or just not on the same level of competency as they were in their previous job.

Fortunately for Keith, he was able to appeal to the partners of the firm who, in the end, recognized where Keith would be happiest and make the best contribution to the firm. A replacement was found to manage the firm, and Keith happily returned to a full caseload.

Are you wearing too many hats? Is the hat you‚re wearing the one that suits you best?

In today's workforce, many of us are forced to wear many hats. The ranks are thinner due to attrition or layoffs. With no one to pick up the slack, we are forced to do not only our own jobs but many other tasks as well.

In addition, companies often stress the importance of being a well-rounded individual. Someone who excels in outside sales ends up in marketing because the company thinks that's a skill to be developed. At other times, the positions we end up in are the result of job changes and lateral moves.

Whatever hat you're wearing, it‚s time to go back to the one that really fits.

REDISCOVERING YOUR EXPERTISE

For some people, it may be difficult to identify their expertise. This is not because they lack it, but rather they've allowed themselves to be sidetracked over the years. If this sounds familiar, it's time to go on a journey of rediscovery.

• Think back on past successes in your life, professional or personal. What do you recall with pride?
• Go back to your college years and move forward in time. What events stand out in your memory?
• Make a list of these past successes. Now examine the list: What talents or abilities are common to these successes?
• The skills and traits that made you successful in the past will be the key to your future success. Further, focusing on past successes will help you to elevate your mood and your confidence as you move forward.
• At this point, ask yourself what skill or ability do people naturally seek out in you. What tasks or jobs are the most gratifying to you?
• Seek out the feedback of others. Ask an associate or colleague a hypothetical question: „If you were to start your own company, what position would you give to me any why?". You might be amazed at the answer!
• If you have the courage to ask your boss for input, you'll be the better for it. You‚ll get a clearer sense of how your boss values you and where he/she sees your expertise. Your boss‚ feedback on the value you bring can be a reality check - or a wakeup call.

ARE YOU WAITING FOR A WATERFALL IN THE DESERT?

Too often people expect to be recognized for their expertise. They believe a golden opportunity will suddenly appear like a waterfall in the desert. A far better plan is to be more proactive. With the feedback - both internal and external - that you've been given, I'd suggest the following steps:

• Evaluate your current job. What do you like most about it, and what do you like the least? How often and in what ways do you demonstrate your expertise?
• Describe your dream job. If you could have any job that would showcase your talent or expertise, what would it be? What would you do every day? How would you choose to spend your time?
• Know what‚s stopping you. What is standing between you and your „dream job?". Are you self-promotional enough, or do you hold back? Are you modest to a fault? Are you self-effacing without even realizing it? Do you have an entitlement attitude, expecting that others will automatically recognize your expertise?
• Are you bogged down with jobs and tasks that you loathe but that you can‚t seem to get rid of? Are you just doing your job or are you demonstrating added value? Does your boss recognize your talent, or are you hiding the light of your expertise under the proverbial bushel?
• Set concrete goals for yourself to begin showcasing your talents. Are you willing to volunteer for a committee, team project or internal task force? Will you go the extra distance to show others what you can do?

GIVING AWAY YOUR EXPERTISE

The challenge for many people is that they see few (if any) opportunities to be recognized as experts in their current job. If that has happened to you, the problem may be that you are waiting to be „invited." Take a more positive and proactive approach!

1. There are no shortages of opportunities to demonstrate your expertise but to do so effectively you must be savvy, strategic and humble. And never, ever, miss a chance to champion someone else.
2. Seek opportunities to demonstrate your talent - inside and outside the workplace. Volunteer for projects and leadership roles. Freely offer your expertise to someone who can benefit from it. Your expertise will be further enhanced by your willingness to share it.
3. At meetings, don't stand on ceremony and expect people to ask you to participate. Come prepared with thought-provoking ideas and insightful questions. Make it a rule to speak up in the first ten minutes to be acknowledged as a team player.
4. Don't seek to make other people „wrong"in meetings. Your expertise can shine when you add to the ideas of others or when you offer another point of view. Become comfortable with diplomatic phrases such as, "I like what you said". "Here's another perspective."."To piggyback on what you just said, I recommend that..."
5. As you showcase your expertise, don't be afraid if your boss steals your ideas. It's difficult to get ahead without making your boss look good. Hopefully, it will be reciprocal.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAREER

To be called an expert is both an honor and an obligation. The pride we feel in being recognized for our talent or expertise goes hand-in-hand with our duty to share it with others - to make an impact, to make a difference.

I have had such an honor through the publication of my book, Customize Your Career: How to Develop a Winning Strategy to Move Up, Move Ahead, or Move On. What began as an idea has become reality in a book that I believe will be instrumental for everyone, whether seasoned professional, entrepreneur, new job seeker, or someone looking for the next opportunity

I've filled the book with advice, practical tips and inspiring stories, gleaned from my many years of coaching and teaching professionals. My goal was to give you - the reader - real-world strategies for reaping success and living a more fulfilled life.

In my own life and as I've seen reflected in the lives of so many others, what we are most passionate about - what brings us joy and fulfillment - lies at the heart of our expertise. Now it's time to bring YOUR expertise to light. You deserve the recognition!

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