| One of the most common business initiatives | | | | It is the day of their performance evaluation. |
| today is being a team player. In fact, I was | | | | These people aren't practicing "ME!" They go along |
| recently questioned about this at women's | | | | with the flow and don't think beyond the |
| leadership conference at Emory University. How | | | | day-to-day survival issues. I have been accused |
| do you stand out from the crowd when the | | | | many times of having a big head (read Big Head |
| company wants you to be a team player? | | | | Bio article) or being full of myself. So what? I |
| It's an important practice used by today's | | | | know where I'm going and I do something about |
| companies, and it is considered a negative if you | | | | it every day. |
| are not a team player. The thing that most | | | | I accept most challenges and always looking for |
| people don't understand is that you can't lose sight | | | | new ones. I'm tireless in my efforts to promote |
| of the "ME" factors either. | | | | myself. I share my knowledge and expertise to |
| Teams are great. They build consensus, share the | | | | enable both men and women to reach their full |
| workload, and come together for a unified | | | | potential. This should be your mantra too. I can't |
| purpose. But where does individuality, initiative, or | | | | emphasize it enough. Don't wait until it's too late |
| just plain ego in the team concept? | | | | to make that call to share your resources and |
| When I say ego, I don't mean the typical | | | | your network. People will be much more willing to |
| appellation the big heads that are full of | | | | help you when you have established an ongoing |
| themselves. I mean the M for "ME". Looking out | | | | line of communication. Not when you call out of |
| for numero uno. We all want to be successful and | | | | the blue and want some help. |
| today it's becoming increasingly difficult to find the | | | | So plan a campaign to enhance your "ME Factor" |
| right path toward that success. | | | | as part of your spring personal branding initiatives. |
| Job uncertainty, information overload, and | | | | Some ideas to consider: |
| balancing work and family issues -- it goes on and | | | | Give a speech that you have to do research for; |
| on. Whether you work for yourself or work for | | | | Accept an assignment that you consider a |
| someone else, don't lose sight of the fact that | | | | challenge; |
| you need to look out for you. If you were self | | | | Contact someone who you consider to be a role |
| employed or worked as an independent | | | | model or who you admire; |
| contractor, you would spend 50% of your time | | | | Reestablish ten old acquaintances; |
| marketing for the next job. Aside from good | | | | Plan to attend a conference or seminar for |
| eating, exercise and other regimens to take care | | | | personal enrichment; |
| of your body, are you doing anything to enrich | | | | Take a mini-vacation (long weekend) no cell, or |
| your mind? This needs to be as firmly entrenched | | | | laptops; |
| as an exercise program. | | | | Treat yourself to something you have always |
| Every day you need to set aside some time for | | | | wanted. (It could be anything that makes you feel |
| "ME". Whether it's reconnecting with old friends or | | | | good about yourself); |
| making new ones, you need to satisfy and | | | | Invest in yourself for the long haul. Continuing |
| nurture that inner person. That's the person who | | | | education, training, learning more about your |
| says, "I'm important, I count, I can make a | | | | industry or business field. |
| difference." The critical part is to take some time | | | | The important thing is to take action, even just a |
| to make that difference too. | | | | small thing can make a difference. Remember to |
| The largest numbers of calls I get are for help. | | | | think about your "ME" factor at least once a |
| But usually they come when it's too late. The | | | | week. Bring out your best "ME" and you will get |
| caller just lost their job. Their company was sold. | | | | the support of everyone's "WE. |