There are only a handful of podcasts I listen to with any regularity, not so much out of lack of interest, but lack of "fit" I suppose. Unlike music, my concentration tends to wane if I try to listen to podcasts while I work. I don't travel particularly often. My daily commute lasts all of about 5 minutes. No podcast I've ever heard quite conveys that "fire it up" mentality I need at the gym. Excuses excuses.
Anyway, one of the podcasts I try to make time for at least semi-regularly is the Harvard Business Ideacast - a once a week, innovation themed show devoted to gauging what some of the top leaders in business are (or should) be thinking about. They might not always contain earth shattering revelations, but they do provide high level food for thought more often than not. And at about 10 minutes a pop, its easy to fit into to my non-podcast friendly lifestyle.
Last week, I was catching up on some back-casts (back issue podcasts?) when I came across one titled "What Kind of Leader Will You Be". The podcast featured guest Bill Taylor, and was based around a blog post he had written back in May, which proposed 5 questions every young leader should ask themselves.
The first question, which serves as the title of this blog post, was the one I found the most interesting: why should great people want to work with you?
We've all been a part of job interviews when we were asked what we could bring to an organization, or what our strengths are - the good old "why should we hire you" question. But "why should great people want to work with you" is a whole new beast - one that speaks to less tangible traits - the kind you probably wouldn't find in the average job descriptions, or gracing the average resume.
Clearly, Bill was asking the question of leaders who, in an era footnoted by the increasing significance of job satisfaction, will be called upon to sell their company to an applicant pool with discerning tastes.
But I started thinking about this question on a personal level, outside of the boundaries of cover letter buzz words. What is it that makes me worth working with? Any inspired professional strives to work with great people - but why should those great people want to return the favor?
In the interest of not sounding overly self indulgent, I won't go into what I came up with for myself (unless you really want to know). But there might have been greater value in answering the question than in the final answers themselves anyway. Not in thinking up the same cliche interview keywords, but rather in considering how I want to be viewed and remembered (or perhaps even accepted) by the community of "great people" that inspire me.
No pressure to share you responses here if you'd prefer not to - but I will most certainly ask the question in hopes that you'll take a few minutes to ponder it.
What should great people want to work with you?
Also Check Out:
Image from democratandchronicle.com
Anyway, one of the podcasts I try to make time for at least semi-regularly is the Harvard Business Ideacast - a once a week, innovation themed show devoted to gauging what some of the top leaders in business are (or should) be thinking about. They might not always contain earth shattering revelations, but they do provide high level food for thought more often than not. And at about 10 minutes a pop, its easy to fit into to my non-podcast friendly lifestyle.
Last week, I was catching up on some back-casts (back issue podcasts?) when I came across one titled "What Kind of Leader Will You Be". The podcast featured guest Bill Taylor, and was based around a blog post he had written back in May, which proposed 5 questions every young leader should ask themselves.
The first question, which serves as the title of this blog post, was the one I found the most interesting: why should great people want to work with you?We've all been a part of job interviews when we were asked what we could bring to an organization, or what our strengths are - the good old "why should we hire you" question. But "why should great people want to work with you" is a whole new beast - one that speaks to less tangible traits - the kind you probably wouldn't find in the average job descriptions, or gracing the average resume.
Clearly, Bill was asking the question of leaders who, in an era footnoted by the increasing significance of job satisfaction, will be called upon to sell their company to an applicant pool with discerning tastes.
But I started thinking about this question on a personal level, outside of the boundaries of cover letter buzz words. What is it that makes me worth working with? Any inspired professional strives to work with great people - but why should those great people want to return the favor?
In the interest of not sounding overly self indulgent, I won't go into what I came up with for myself (unless you really want to know). But there might have been greater value in answering the question than in the final answers themselves anyway. Not in thinking up the same cliche interview keywords, but rather in considering how I want to be viewed and remembered (or perhaps even accepted) by the community of "great people" that inspire me.
No pressure to share you responses here if you'd prefer not to - but I will most certainly ask the question in hopes that you'll take a few minutes to ponder it.
What should great people want to work with you?
Also Check Out:
Image from democratandchronicle.com
I second Jim in saying if you liked Bill Taylor's thinking, read Mavericks at Work, the book and the blog. (BTW, I hope this one is a pick on the BS Bookclub soon, hint, hint, not-so-subtle hint.)
I'll look to my Briggs-Myers to explain why people would want to work with me. I'm a teacher-idealist type--ENFJ (though sometimes I'm an ENTJ, but that's another story). I see potential and improvement in people where some may let first impressions, past history, or the conventional wisdom guide them. I believe people usually rise to meet your expectations, so if you want to work with great people you should act in good faith that you already work with such people.
Ordinary people can do extraordinary things-Barack Obama
There's a great chapter in his book (with Polly LaBarre), Mavericks at Work about this very subject. In fact, the whole book is really worth reading. It's a fast read with many good case studies.
P.S. Stop using Google Analytics (blog forthcoming)!
I think the fact you are working to answer the question is one reason why great people would want to work with you. Finding ways to improve is a critical piece to finding a lasting fit within any organization. It keeps you motivated and it gets people around you to take notice. I think in a lot of ways, by pushing yourself to get better you can influence the way others view you (and perhaps the organization).
If I am answering for myself, I guess I'd have to turn it around a bit ... I am interested in working with brilliant people all the time. I like being pushed and challenged and you only get that from first rate people. Not sure if the desire to be around really smart and motivated people is an answer that makes sense, but hopefully it hits the mark on some level.