The Dolezal Group

WISE WORDS FROM BARBARA BUSH

I was saddened to read the news of Barbara Bush’s passing.  I respected her public persona, her humor, and her focus on family and building relationships.  She was a great lady.

Several years ago, I had the privilege to hear Barbara Bush speak at a leadership conference breakout session for Women in Leadership.  The room was full of smart, successful women who were buzzing with ambition and energy.   We were eager to go conquer the world.

Other speakers talked about accomplishment, achievement, and advancement.  They meant to encourage and inspire.  I admit I do not recall their points in any depth.   One speaker did stand out.  During a Q&A session, a frustrated audience member asked about balancing all the demands of work, family, volunteerism, and community.    Barbara Bush, looking regal in her signature blue dress and silver hair, looked intently out at the audience.  She used a thoughtful pause and the room got quiet.  Her advice to us was that we CAN have it all, but don’t expect to do it all at once.  She encouraged us to be smart about how we apply our energy, and what we can accomplish during different seasons in our lives.  Some things, like raising children, can’t be deferred and deserve the very best of our attention.   That may mean that volunteer work will wait until another season in life.  In all cases, we need to keep ourselves and our relationships healthy, and can’t do that if we are exhausted and feeling pressure to do it all right now.

That message, coming from a person who had seen a lot in life, had operated on the world stage, was making a national impact in literacy, and wanted to preserve the health of her family, was the most inspiring thing I heard that day.  Her wisdom and certainty gave me a new way to define achievement.  Thank you, Barbara.

I recently read Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book entitled Grit:  The Power of Passion and Perseverance.  In Grit, Duckworth asks whether there are common traits among successful people in various walks in life.  Research indicates there is a common thread.  She defines that universal characteristic as “grit”.

Grit = Passion + Perseverance

Whenever an author encourages readers to “discover your passions” and to “do what you are passionate about”, it can give a reader pause.  What exactly is “passion”?  In poetry and anthemic rock songs, passion is a fiery, consuming emotion.   Passion can hijack normally rational people and make them do some irrational things.  But that’s not what passion means in this context.  Rather, passion is an interest that is so absorbing that one remains loyal to it.  I read and understood this to mean an interest that is intriguing, absorbing, worthy of commitment.

Perseverance is defined as the willingness to keep going, staying resilient despite setbacks or perceived failures.  A failure simply means the goal was not met “yet”.  A person demonstrating perseverance is driven to improve and keep improving for its own sake.  That drive to improve infuses every effort.

For success to happen, passion and perseverance are channeled in a particular direction.  Action occurs and results are seen, over time.  The key ingredient there is remaining consistent over time, working hard on something one believes is important, and remaining loyal to that effort and end goal despite any obstacles encountered.

I wish you grit.

The NO PROBLEM Interview

Employers want employees who will help grow their business and keep it running smoothly.  How can you encourage a prospective employer to see you as a problem solver?   When you are interviewing for a position, use this NO PROBLEM approach to help make the case that you are an ideal candidate.

• I have NO PROBLEM.  You may have had a bad break in life, you may have lost a job unexpectedly, you may be increasingly anxious about finding a good position.  Leave all that baggage behind you as you walk into the interview.  You do not want to communicate directly, or even subliminally, that you have burdens that may overshadow you.  A prospective employer who senses that cloud over your head may pass over you in favor of the next candidate.  Come in with optimism, enthusiasm, and confidence.  You want the employer to know you will hit the ground running.
• I will cause NO PROBLEM. This is about your ability to work operate successfully in their employer’s environment.  Team chemistry is important, and employers want to know that new employees bring in collaboration, a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, attention to detail, communication skills, and consideration for others.  Be sure to talk about ways you demonstrate these traits.
• I will solve your business challenges so that you have NO PROBLEM. Prior to the interview, think about your experiences and successes.  Be prepared to tell stories that illustrate how you encountered a work situation (the “problem”), what factors you thought about, what actions you took, and what results you achieved (Situation, Action, Results).  Problems will always pop up.  Employers want to understand how you approach challenges and how you overcome them, to have a better understanding of how you might do the same for them.

The NO PROBLEM Interview

Employers want employees who will help grow their business and keep it running smoothly.  How can you encourage a prospective employer to see you as a problem solver?   When you are interviewing for a position, use this NO PROBLEM approach to help make the case that you are an ideal candidate.

• I have NO PROBLEM.  You may have had a bad break in life, you may have lost a job unexpectedly, you may be increasingly anxious about finding a good position.  Leave all that baggage behind you as you walk into the interview.  You do not want to communicate directly, or even subliminally, that you have burdens that may overshadow you.  A prospective employer who senses that cloud over your head may pass over you in favor of the next candidate.  Come in with optimism, enthusiasm, and confidence.  You want the employer to know you will hit the ground running.
• I will cause NO PROBLEM. This is about your ability to work operate successfully in their employer’s environment.  Team chemistry is important, and employers want to know that new employees bring in collaboration, a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, attention to detail, communication skills, and consideration for others.  Be sure to talk about ways you demonstrate these traits.
• I will solve your business challenges so that you have NO PROBLEM. Prior to the interview, think about your experiences and successes.  Be prepared to tell stories that illustrate how you encountered a work situation (the “problem”), what factors you thought about, what actions you took, and what results you achieved (Situation, Action, Results).  Problems will always pop up.  Employers want to understand how you approach challenges and how you overcome them, to have a better understanding of how you might do the same for them.