Project Exponential

Tag: perception

  • The anti-resume

    The kind of people you want to work with don’t want to see your list of interests and accolades. They don’t care about your work history, what schools you’ve attended, what awards you’ve won. They want to know what work you’ve put into the world, what you’ve left behind, where you’re going. The best work stands for itself.

    Your resume is the communities that miss you after you’ve left, the imprint you leave behind. The relationships you’ve forged, the lives you’ve touched, and the work that sparkles with your finesse — this is your resume. When you realize this, you’ll be filled with freedom and independence: titles no longer matter, job descriptions are irrelevant, length of employment fails to indicate your loyalty and value. Your success doesn’t rest in the hands of another.

    Why spend another moment waiting for the phone to ring? You’re worth more than that. What if you created your own tribe, shipped your own art, designed a viable solution? Don’t wait for opportunities that may never find you. Create them for yourself and change lives along the way.

  • You belong in this room.

    Don’t sell yourself short. You aren’t to be ordered about. You are here as a professional. Everyone else is as uncertain as you are. They may even be more afraid. Yet they’ve made the decision to not let any of this get in their way. They’ve made the choice to show up and be present, regardless of insecurity and fear.

    You have a choice to make. The first few times might be a show. You may have to talk yourself into it. Once you’re there, you may whisper hurtful names to yourself — pretender, phony, fake. Ignore that voice. Slowly, gradually, that whisper will fade and be replaced with an unmistakeable assertion. A knowing, a conviction, a sense of belonging that will lead you to places you had never before considered. Tolerate discomfort.

    The journey often starts with a moment of anxiety, terror, self doubt, even despair. It’s temporary. In time, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. The decision to put yourself in the game will become easier, and the unknown will appear less of a threat. Accept the invitation.

    Claim your space. Believe that you can hold your own. Ask questions that can’t be avoided. Demonstrate why you must be reckoned with. You must show up.

    If you’re not in the room, we can’t listen, we can’t watch your magic, and you won’t get any better. Tell us — show us — why should we stop here, with you, and not continue on.

  • Lead by example

    Whether a small business or large corporation, the head must act in a forthright, admirable way for the chain of command to follow suit. Same applies to smaller groups of people: the leader sets the tone for what is acceptable and what is not, setting the pace for others to follow.

    By pushing yourself to be the very best you can be, you inspire those around you, build trust within your team, and encourage others to lead principled lives.

    Great leadership shouldn’t be difficult to come by. Neither should integrity.

  • Choose your category

    Some people live on the edge of what’s possible. They defy expectations and buck norms.

    Some people follow what has come before. They do what they are told and stay in line.

    Some people wander aimlessly. They dream about “what if” and believe success finds the lucky. They attribute greatness to others, failing to see it in themselves.

    The difference lies in the acknowledgement of your worth, the realization of your strengths, confidence in your unique talents (for nobody does it quite like you), and the conversion of belief into action. Pick yours.

  • Disappointing relationships? It could be you.

    I often hear the following:

    • My relationships aren’t fulfilling.
    • I’m not meeting the right people.
    • I’m not as connected as I’d like to be.
    • My employees don’t respect me.
    • My team isn’t as close as when we first began.
    • I’m not introduced in the way that I’d like.
    • I can’t find people who share my interests.

    It’s easy to place the blame on outside factors and fault something external, something beyond our control — a difficult situation, a partner’s deficit, the inability of a client to clearly communicate. The challenging route is an active one, requiring self-discipline and honest assessment. For example:

    • How do I represent myself across different areas of my life (to friends, acquaintances, strangers, colleagues, my family)?
    • Are the activities I participate in an accurate representation of my innermost dreams and ambitions?
    • Do I frequent similar kinds of situations expecting different results?
    • Am I investing time and intention to create meaningful relationships?
    • Do I carefully and thoughtfully communicate with others?

    Self-analysis can be trying, confusing, and difficult to navigate; however, it is an essential step in identifying the roles we create in our lives.

    How do you contribute to common perceptions of your character and personality? What behaviors do you repeat that fail to serve you in your most valued personal and professional relationships?

    Most often, the gate towards fulfilling, meaningful connection begins with you.

  • 3 tips to make your meeting count

    Tip #1: If you’re looking to connect meaningfully, place the other before you.

    Most successful people are busy people. They’ve carved time out of their day to meet with you. Time is a resource neither party can redeem after you’ve parted ways. Be considerate.

    After every meeting, thank each and every person for their contribution and time. A follow up thank you builds rapport and communicates respect, paving the way towards a meaningful connection. Your thank you also provides an opportunity to make sure your intent and needs have been clearly communicated.

    Tip #2: People cannot help you if they don’t know how.

    “I’m looking for a job” will quickly place you into a forgotten drawer of miscellaneous. However, confidently stating, “I’m looking to support locally owned restaurants with sustainable missions” positions you in a specific category, making your ask an easy recall. Guess who will be first in mind when any kind of opportunity in the health, wellness, hospitality, sustainable industries pops up? Be specific and know what you want. People generally want to see you succeed and will help if they know how.

    Tip #3: Jazzy Jane from Toledo is sitting by the cheese dip.

    Effective networking and memorable impressions go hand in hand. It’s like learning names. Create a colorful story when you first meet someone, and you’ll have an easier time asking them to pass the salad bowl.

    What characteristics separate you from the crowd? Practice telling your unique narrative to a friend. If you aren’t comfortable making your remarkable presence known, chances are high that you won’t during your meeting, either.