AMDG

In "The Intelligent Entrepreneur", a new book out from author Bill Murphy, Jr., Bill distills 10 rules of successful entrepreneurship from the stories of several Harvard Business School graduates from the Class of 1998, including yours truly. As I read through the stories, and looked at Bill's rules, it struck me that there are similarities between the successful entrepreneur and the successful job-seeker. You're both trying to create something new — a new company or a new position for yourself. You're both faced with the emotional challenges that go with any new endeavor. There are plenty of setbacks along the way in starting a company and getting a job. And success is dependent on sticking to it and seeing it through. So with that in mind, I thought I'd share five of Bill's 10 rules with you and show how they apply to your job search. #2 Find a problem, then solve it. It's not enough in the 21st century to simply describe yourself to future ...

At the center of every high performance team is a common purpose-a mission that rises above and beyond each of the individual team members. To be successful, the team's interests and needs come first. This requires "we-opic" vision (What's in it for we?), a challenging step up from the common "me-opic" mindset. Effective team players understand that personal issues and personality differences are secondary to team demands. This does not mean abandoning who you are or giving up your individuality. On the contrary, it means sharing your unique strengths and differences to move the team forward. It is this "we-opic" focus and vision-this cooperation of collective capability-that empowers a team and generates synergy, the power of teamwork. Cooperation means working together for mutual gain-sharing responsibility for success and failure and covering for one another on a moment's notice. It does not mean competing with one another at the team...

Perhaps the most significant challenge to the creation of a global compensation and benefits strategy is the conflict between the need for a unified global strategy and the need to address local differences, particularly those that are legally mandated. Maintaining the appropriate balance is a constant dilemma for most HR functions, but it seems particularly acute for compensation and benefits. Of all the global HR practices, compensation and benefits is the most localized (mainly due to economics, tax laws, and labor requirements).

I've been in business for over 12 years, and I've come to realize the difference in success, or failure, is not how you look, not how you dress and not even how you're educated. It's how you think. I can't overstate the importance of being able to maintain a positive attitude but I'm the first one to admit...it's not easy. I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills. A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault! To get some perspective, I visited a well known, Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leader...

How do you define leadership? What gives a man or woman the right to lead? What gives a man or woman the right to lead? It certainly isn't gained by election or appointment. Having position, title, rank or degrees doesn't qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn't come automatically from age or experience, either. No, it would be accurate to say that no one can be given the right to lead. The right to lead can only be earned. And that takes time. The Kind of Leader Others Want to Follow The key to becoming an effective leader is not to focus on making other people follow, but on making yourself the kind of person they want to follow. You must become someone others can trust to take them where they want to go. As you prepare yourself to become a better leader, use the following guidelines to help you grow: Let go of your ego. The truly great leaders are not in leadership for personal gain. They lead in order to serve other people. Perhaps tha...

In recent weeks, I have seen job candidates arrive up to an hour early for interviews. Other candidates have alluded to financial hardships while in the hot seat, and one person even distributed bound copies of documents describing projects he completed for past employers. These sorts of tactics aren't exactly winners. In today's ultracompetitive job market, even getting an interview is a feat. Yet recruiters and hiring managers say many unemployed candidates blow the opportunity by appearing desperate or bitter about their situations — often without realizing it. "People are becoming a lot more aggressive," says Julie Loubaton, director of recruiting and talent management for Atlanta-based Consolidated Container. "They often wind up hurting themselves." At an interview, you want to stand out for the right reasons. To do so, you'll need to leave your baggage and anxiety at the door. For starters, wait until 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time...

Are you getting ready to launch an executive job search for the first time in more than 10 years? If you’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a long, consistent career with the same company, an unexpected thrust into unemployment or a career transition can cause some panic.Even if you’re Internet savvy, it can be easy to get lost in a maze of job boards and company databases without a clear direction. It’s important to note that while it’s critical to engage in online job search activities, it should only be a portion of your strategic plan. Here are several strategies that you can engage in right now to re–brand yourself, revive your network, and reposition your experience for top–paying career opportunities. Know Where You Want To Go. Before burying yourself in a frenzy of resume and cover letter drafts, determine your target. Do you want to stay in the same field, are you using this opportunity to pursue your dream job or are you only interested in a lateral move until retirement? Maxi...