Education Ideas - keeping ahead of the pack

I believe it is necessary to only read a few extra books (esp liberal studies) in your field, and you will be significantly ahead of almost everyone else when it comes to good ideas in management, administration, community, science, politics, finance, etc - all the thing necessary to run a government or business. It's amazing how little most people know, and how little effort they put into their own educations. -- and bright people who make the effort shouldn't underestimate the value they offer.

DB

Original idea: Tue Jan 13 07:38:07 2009

Career Development

I received these tips from a "mentor" when I started my first job out of college. I was a beginning engineer, and another engineer in my office gave me the list in one of our first meetings. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to hire several new staff, and I've always used these in our performance management discussions. They have served my well, too.

SOME IDEAS ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1) Know the right time to approach your manager. Approach your manager at a time in which he can comfortably take the time to listen and work with you. Also, approach him at a time he will tend to be more amiable.
2) Be able to verbally communicate. Testimony is considered the most tedious and demanding type of communication. If you can verbally handle yourself whether through a report, or just in "off the cuff" conversation, you will give off the perception that you know what you are doing and that you are competent.
3) If you need to approach your manager with a problem, also be ready with a solution. Having a solution or a string of alternate solutions to bring in when you approach your manager with a problem shows him that you have put a little thought into the problem before you came to him. He may not always agree with your solution, but at least you put your best foot forward. By approaching him with just the problem, you are asking him to do your work and not just give you guidance.
4) Tell your manager about mistakes. There is nothing worse than having your boss get a surprise call about one of your projects which has an error and coming to you and you saying that you knew about it. Don't try to cover up a mistake, or let one slide through the cracks, because someone will inevitably find it. Rather let your manager know and deal with it in his own way.
5) Be noticed, make contacts with people you don't normally work with, and don't hide in your office or in the crowd. There is an advantage to being known in the company. When you need to deal with others in the organization, if they know you and have spoken to you before, they will be more willing to help. In the same way, if you are being looked at for a job, all other qualifications being equal, if you are known to the person making the decision, you will be chosen.