Values

Edgar H. Schein, Professor of Management at MIT has identified eight themes/values in which every person will prioritize their professional preferences. These themes, called Career Anchors by Professor Schein, are as follows:

Technical/Functional competence
This kind of person likes being good at something and will work to become an expert. They like to be challenged and then use their skill to meet the challenge, doing the job properly and better than almost anyone else.

General Managerial competence
Unlike technical/functional people, these folks want to be managers (and not just to get more money, although this may be used as a metric of success). They like problem-solving and dealing with other people. They thrive on responsibility. To be successful, they also need emotional competence.

Autonomy/Independence
These people have a primary need to work under their own rules and steam. They avoid standards and prefer to work alone.

Security/Stability
Security-focused people seek stability and continuity as a primary factor of their lives. They avoid risks and are generally 'lifers' in their job.

Entrepreneurial Creativity
These folks like to invent things, be creative and, most of all, to run their own businesses. They differ from those who seek autonomy in that they will share the workload. They find ownership very important. They easily get bored. Wealth, for them, is a sign of success.

Service/Dedication to a cause
Service-oriented people are driven by how they can help other people more than using their talents (which may fall in other areas). They may well work in public services or in such as HR.

Pure Challenge
People driven by challenge seek constant stimulation and difficult problems that they can tackle. Such people will change jobs when the current one gets boring and their career can be very varied.

Lifestyle
Those who are focused first on lifestyle look at their whole pattern of living. They not so much balance work and life as integrate it. They may even take long periods off work in which to indulge in passions such as sailing or traveling.

During a very challenging and informative course offered through my employer, I assessed my own values according to the aforementioned Career Anchors. It was eye opening and something that I wish I had the privilege of considering early in my work life.

The highest priority in my career is a sense of service or dedication to a cause. This explains my yearning to make a sincere difference in this world, and why I am seldom motivated by the mere acquisition of things. It also challenges me to prioritize my activities according to what is integral to satisfying this need.

Two anchors tied for importance in my professional priorities; life-style integration and entrepreneurial creativity. Whatever I do must blend with my family obligations, and provide the opportunity to be creative and participate in the successes of the organization for which I work or own.

What are your career anchors? Which of these anchors can you not live without?

Values are the root system of your career. They provide the "anchor" when the circumstances around you buffet.

Always make a difference!

Making A Difference

Has "Making a Difference" become a cliche? More and more I've seen and heard the phrase used and, yes, abused.

What does it mean to make a difference? Can one quantitatively or qualitatively assess the difference they are making? Is it possible that "making a difference" is merely a marketing catch-phrase intended to make a consumer feel good about a product or service? Could it be that "making a difference" is sometimes used to cover up a poorly executed or even ill-conceived business plan?

Every new year brings the opportunity to assess how much of a difference one has made in the lives of those with whom he works and lives. Even the "best laid plans of mice and men," may result in outcomes that are less than stellar. As I reviewed my own 2005 goals, my performance appraisal for 2005 would likely be judged as "needing improvement" in almost every area.

As such, I have decided to ascertain my priorities anew. I have determined to look at my life according to four areas:

1. My Values
2. My Personality
3. My Skills
4. My Interests

Because of this reassessment, Difference Makers will be taking a decided turn that will reflect these four themes. My expectation is that I will be able to measure how much of a difference I have made in 2006.

I urge readers to similarly reassess their own values, personality, skills and interests. Perhaps you'll discover something that will enhance your "performance appraisal" as well.

Always make a difference!