Are You a 21st Century Employee?

SEO Association Newsletter (School Executive Officers’ Association Incorporated)

One aspect of life of which we are sure of is change. It is all around us every day as there is always something new to which we need to become accustomed. In the workplace we have seen much change and as we spend a large proportion of out life at work there are several aspects of change we need to consider.

1. To learn and up skill continually to develop our own employability as there is no employment guarantee.
We need to cultivate the following necessary Human Capital Skills

• High Tech/High Touch (computer literate and good human relations skills)
• Comfortable with uncertainty and constant change
• Confident enough to risk making suggestions and mistakes
• Committed to lifelong learning
• Willing to give first, rather than ask “What is in it for me?
• Optimistic, Passionate and Considerate
• Understand the importance of Relationship Power as opposed to Position Power

2. To be able to work in diverse teams:
The diversity in teams is now much wider than ever before. Not only do we have the diversity of nationality and gender but we have diversity in the generation groups. Each generation has it’s own idiosyncrasies which we need to understand

3. To have flexible working styles
We need to appreciate that everyone has a working style which may not suit our own particular way of working and communicating. When you consider the differences in the members of the team in which you work then perhaps they are different and not just “difficult” The way people learn is the way they communicate: auditory, visual, kinaesthetic.

4. To acquire the skill of networking and building relationships both in business and private life.
It is often not what you know but who you know. Cultivate healthy networks and do not rely just on the networks associated with your work group and family. There may come a time when you need them the most.

5. To be self promoting and think as an entrepreneur
The NKP (New Kiwi Professional) is a Networker extraordinaire, constantly working to expand and maintain his/her own professional & personal contacts. This is the way of the future if you are to be in charge of your future life.

“Some people look for things that went wrong and try to fix them; I look for things that went right and try to build on them”
Tom Peters, an innovative management guru

Celebrate innovation as today’s success flows from innovation not optimism i.e. wealth/success is not gained by perpetuating the known but by seizing the unknown.

6. To self manage your own career
The following quotes will illustrate this well.

" Life is a Do-it-Yourself Project; you must be the C.E.O. of your own Life”
Dr. Dennis Waitley,

“Profound changes are taking place, we must learn to make change our friend and not our enemy."
Bill Clinton ex USA President

“The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get the old ones out”
Dee Hock, Business Visionary & Creator; Visa

“The greatest difficulty in the world is not for people to accept new ideas, but to make them forget about old ideas.”
John Maynard Keyes, Economist

7. To be creative and innovative as yesterday’s world records have become today’s entry level requirements.
The bar has been raised as, what were acceptable skills and qualifications several years ago are no longer the case in many walks of life.

“Everyone needs to be a business person i.e. learn to be a business man or woman not merely an “empowered job holder”
Tom Peters, The Circle of Innovation

“When was the last time your potential gave you goose bumps” Anonymous “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”
T. S. Eliot

8. Focus on customer service (internal and external)
Understand the importance the internal and external functional relationships to your school.

Treat each colleague, each department as your best client with the highest standard of service, courtesy and behaviour irrespective of their position and academic qualifications

9. To part take in teamwork and co-operation
Collaboration and Co-operation have a win - win results so trust and hear what the other person is expressing to allow you to understand the needs of the other person(s)

Recognise the talents associated with the roles which make up an ideal balanced team:

10. Become a leader in all that you do, with the power to influence those around you to become winners.
Successful leaders have these qualities? Do you?
Unwavering courage Self-control Sense of justice Definiteness of decision Definiteness of purpose/plan Exceeding expectations Pleasing personality Sympathy and understanding Mastery of detail Assume responsibility

Character Traits of Extraordinary Leaders: Do you have these?
Integrity Optimism Embraces change Risk takers Tenacious Catalytic Dedicated/Committed to achieving objectives

“Many people go through life collecting things to show that they have arrived, winners go through life celebrating the journey and helping others live an abundant future.”
Dr. Dennis Waitley, author The Psychology of Winning

“You are your own scriptwriter and the play is never finished, no matter what your age or position in life.”

What are you going to Change from Today to make your tomorrow better??????

“I shall do today what others will not so that tomorrow I can do what others cannot.”