Habits of the Most Likeable People

When you're in a highly competitive field, talent and intelligence are prerequisites.
To excel, it helps to know how to connect with others and develop relationships. Nothing replaces a charismatic personality.
Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich" — one of the top-selling books of all time — wrote about the habits of the most likable people in his essay "Develop A Pleasing Personality," published in the collection "The Science of Success."
He introduced his steps to having a "million-dollar personality" by explaining it was steel magnate Charles M. Schwab's charming demeanor that in the late 19th century elevated him from a day laborer to an executive with a $75,000 salary and a frequent million-dollar bonus (a massive amount for the time).
Schwab's boss, the legendary industrialist Andrew Carnegie, told Hill that "the yearly salary was for the work Schwab performed, but the bonus was for what Schwab, with his pleasing personality, could get others to do."
Here are what Hill determined to be the habits of people who are so likable that others go out of their way to help them.

1. They develop a positive mental attitude and let it be seen and felt by others.
© Provided by Business InsiderIt's often easier to give into cynicism, but those who choose to be positive set themselves up for success and have better reputations.
2. They always speak in a carefully disciplined, friendly tone.
The best communicators speak deliberately and confidently, which gives their voice a pleasing sound, Hill says.
If the idea of speaking in front of an audience terrifies you, practice until the experience of presenting to a crowd no longer feels alienating. It's all a matter of repetition.
3. They pay close attention to someone speaking to them.
Using a conversation as an opportunity to lecture someone "may feed the ego, but it never attracts people or makes friends," Hill says.
4. They are able to maintain their composure in all circumstances.
An overreaction to something either positive or negative can give people a poor impression. In the latter case, says Hill, "Remember that silence may be much more effective than your angry words."

5. They are patient.
© Provided by Business Insider"Remember that proper timing of your words and acts may give you a big advantage over impatient people," Hill writes.
6. They keep an open mind.
Those who close themselves off from certain ideas and associate only with like-minded people are missing out on not only personal growth but also opportunities for advancing their careers.
7. They smile when speaking with others.
Hill says that president Franklin D. Roosevelt's greatest asset was his "million-dollar smile," which allowed people to lower their guards during conversation.
8. They know that not all their thoughts need to be expressed.
The most likable people know that it's not worth offending people by expressing all their thoughts, even if they happen to be true.

9. They don't procrastinate.
© Provided by Business InsiderProcrastination communicates to people that you're afraid of taking action, Hill says, and are therefore ineffective.
10. They engage in at least one good deed a day.
The best networkers help other people out without expecting anything in return.
Wharton professor Adam Grant categorizes these master networkers as "givers," and he's found they build much stronger and more fruitful relationships than those who see professional connections as a zero-sum game.
11. They find a lesson in failure rather than brood over it.
People admire those who grow from failure rather than wallow in it. "Express your gratitude for having gained a measure of wisdom, which would not have come without defeat," Hill says.
12. They act as if the person they are speaking to is the most important person in the world.
The most likable people use conversations as an opportunity to learn about another person and

A Career Plan That Actually Works

If you had to guess, how many women out of a thousand would you think have a robust career plan that is working for them? What percentage feels right to you? 60 percent? 80 percent? Surprisingly, it's much, much lower. For the U.S. release of my book, Getting Real About Having it All, I researched 1,000 professional women, looking at everything from work life balance, to career ambition, wellbeing, and yes, career planning. I was a little staggered at the results.
More than 70 percent of women said that they didn't have a career plan that was working for them and 48 percent of women said that they were just winging it when it came to their career. Winging it, meaning that they had absolutely no plan, no vision, and no foresight into what they were actually doing. They were just making it up as they went along.
When I was growing up through my management career, I never had a plan. I would constantly get into heated discussions with women who were older and further through their career than I was who would argue intensely that you absolutely needed a plan. You needed a five-year plan. You needed to know every single step of what that plan looked like. I never agreed with that, but whilst I didn't have a formal plan, what I did have was a vision for what I wanted my career to look like.

Over my 20-year corporate career working for some of the worlds largest companies like GE, PwC and IBM, and more than a decade of coaching women on their careers and leadership development, I have developed six key steps to building a career plan that works, and that will set you up for success, no matter what level or type of position you are currently in.
1. Where are you on the scale right now? If you looked at a career planningscale, with 0 meaning no plan, and 10 is a rigid five-year plan, where are you sitting? Perhaps you are somewhere in the middle with a vision, but not much else? Understanding this and being really honest about it is the first step.
2. Get the balance right. The days of having a career plan set in stone, that you follow down to the letter are long gone. The world is too fluid and changeable, and you need to stay open to opportunities and indeed create them. You want to be in the middle of the scale, directional vision and goals, but open to the magic moments that can be career defining.
3. Understand yourself. Before you can build a career plan that works, you have to understand yourself. What are your strengths, what's your life vision, what work is purposeful for you, and how do you move through the world with confidence. Knowing these things will guide you with clarity on who you really are, what you want most, and how you show up as your most authentic self. Building a plan on this foundation is your ticket to success.
4. Build your personal brand. Speaking of authenticity, your brand needs to be based on it. Don't even think about trying to build your brand on anything other than who you truly are, what your strengths are and how you really show up in the world. One of the most critical questions here is, what do you want to be known for? This can short circuit your planning process by getting to the core of the work you really want to do.
5. Get the right support. Everyone needs support to create a career they love, even if we think we can do it all on our own. Two of the most important relationships in a professional career are mentors and sponsors. Let's be clear on the difference. Mentors give you advice, sponsors advocate on your behalf. Work out who your mentors and sponsors are, or who you need to cultivate, to help you achieve your career goals.
6. Build an action plan. Once you have gained some clarity on where you currently are, you need to take action. Out of the areas covered here, what needs work? Do you need to go and take a strengths survey to get clarity around what you like doing and are good at? Do you need to find a mentor? Does your brand need some work? Get clear on the actions you need to take over the next 30, 60 and 90 days, as well any longer terms ones, and you will be set to create a career that really lights you up.

Are You Promotable?

It’s September already, and year-end reviews are just around the corner. It isn’t too late to show your boss that you’re worthy of a promotion.
Maybe you’ve been holding down the same position for a few years and are ready to move up. Maybe your company is going through some internal shuffling and you’re expecting your dream job to open up. Or, maybe you’ve been disappointed a few too many times by other people getting promoted ahead of you.
Whatever the reason, you want to make certain now that you’re ready to move up. In other words, you need to make certain that your boss sees it that way.

“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” –Steve Martin

Anthony Greenwald at the University of Washington has studied bias more than just about anyone, and his research findings have major implications for your ability to get promoted. His recent studies showed that unconscious workplace biases tend to stay constant, and bosses follow these biases, whether they are aware of them or not.
"People are claiming that they can train away biases," Greenwald says, "[They’re] making those claims without evidence."
When it comes to getting promoted, you want to present yourself in a way that feeds into the biases that bosses’ have about what makes someone promotable. You’re already doing the hard work, so why not frame your effort in such a way that it increases your chances of obtaining the position you want?
While this probably sounds a bit manipulative, there are several straightforward things that you can do to showcase your work and make certain that you're promotable. The following five actions will appeal to your boss’s inherent biases about promotability, without you being disingenuous.
1. Stretch your boundaries
Anybody (well, almost anybody) can do what they’re told. To get promoted, you have to go above and beyond. Taking on additional responsibilities without being asked is not only a great way to demonstrate your work ethic, energy, and skills, but it also lets your boss know that you’re ready (and able) to expand your scope. When you take on more than the norm, your boss can’t help but think that you’re capable of a bigger role. This includes showing that you’re willing to take risks by making innovative suggestions.
2. Don’t be too irreplaceable
Most people fail at this. Of course, performing at your highest level regardless of the position you’re in is always the best idea. The key here is not to be seen as the only person capable of performing the necessary duties in the position that you want to move on from. If you do, your boss will conclude that promoting you isn’t worth the trouble (and risk) of finding someone to replace you. The best way to find a balance between doing your best and showing that you’re ready for more is by developing other people. As tempting as it is to hoard knowledge, don’t. Instead, make certain that there are others who know how to do important aspects of your job. Plus, teaching is a critical leadership skill. So, in addition to alleviating concerns about finding your replacement, you’ll demonstrate that you can handle the responsibility that comes with a more advanced position.
3. Demonstrate emotional intelligence (EQ)
You might be able to get away with being a temperamental genius in entry-level positions, but you’ll never move past that without emotional intelligence. If you’re the type who’s prone to temper tantrums when things don’t go your way; losing your cool when people cross you; storming out of rooms, yelling; or going silent during conflict, you’re signaling to your boss that you don’t want a promotion. No boss wants to be known as the guy or gal who promoted a short-fused person. Once you’re promoted, your behavior is a reflection of the judgment of the person who promoted you. Show your boss that you have enough self-awareness to acknowledge your weaknesses and to work to improve them. This will prove you’re capable. Emotional self-control is the result of hard work, not an inherent skill.
4. Make certain you speak the company’s language
Bosses appreciate vision more than anything. They love it when you see what could be useful to the company over the long term and tell them about it in language they understand. As you move up in any company, your choice of language becomes increasingly important. It’s no longer enough to simply be an expert at what you do; you have to demonstrate that you understand how the work you do serves the business. That means learning the vocabulary of the executive team and your boss. Whether that’s KPIs, EBITA, profit margin, market share, failure rate, or what have you, know what the terms mean and why they’re important so that you can use them correctly when speaking with upper management. Speaking the right language will not only show that you’re interested in more than your current role, but it will also demonstrate your intelligence and fit within the company.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for it
Not everybody wants to be promoted; some people are perfectly happy doing the same job for years on end. If you don’t tell your boss otherwise, he or she may assume that you’re one of them. When the time comes to show up in your boss’s office and say, “I’m interested in a promotion,” it’s important that you have something specific in mind—if not a specific job title, then at least a clear idea of what the responsibilities might include and how this ties in to your career goals. And, if the job requires skills you don’t have yet, outline your plan for acquiring them.
Bringing It All Together
You may not get the promotion you’re aiming for. If that happens, ask for feedback, but stay away from sour-grapes questions like “Why did you pick him and not me?” In fact, don’t speak about the person who got the promotion at all. Instead, ask which of the critical skills you lack and what you need to do to be ready for the next opportunity. Don’t argue; just listen, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. Just make certain you follow through on the suggestions you’re given. If your boss suggests some things you can do to become more promotable and you don’t follow through, don’t expect to be considered the next time around.
Promotions don’t just happen, and they’re not a guaranteed result of high performance. That’s because you don’t get promoted as a reward for what you’ve already done. You get promoted because your boss thinks you have the potential to add more value in a larger role.
What have you done to demonstrate your readiness for a promotion? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.

There are many things worth getting up in the morning for.

We just need to plan and hyper-focus.

10 Things You Should Never Do On Your Resume

What is your resume? A hassle you must undergo to walk into an interview with any hope of getting hired? Or is it a history of your professional life—ready to be shared with others to make lasting, career-forging connections?
If you view your resume as nothing more than a hurdle, you probably don't take it as seriously as you should. But if you value it as a game-changer, you understand its importance. Unfortunately, those who are new to the world of resumes (and even seasoned jobseekers) often make mistakes that can take them out of contention. Here are 10 resume mistakes to watch out for.

1: Lying

It shouldn't have to be said... but surprisingly, it needs to be said. People falsify or "pad" their resumes all the time. Thing is, it will come back to haunt you. It's a small world that only gets smaller with every passing day. Even the slightest exaggeration on your resume can catch up with you. Keep to the facts. Don't stretch or bend the truth. Don't alter employment dates to keep from having gaps in your timeline. Don't claim duties or experiences you never had. Don't. Don't. Don't.

2: Stating an unattainable goal

I'm just going to say this right now. Everyone knows you want to someday be the CEO of your own company. Everyone knows you want to stare down from above and run the corporate machine. Even beyond the unattainable goal, get rid of that objective that has littered resumes for decades. It's worthless. Saying that your goal is to climb the corporate ladder and be as wealthy as Bill Gates just piles on the bad. Scratch that section altogether and you'll have more room for what matters—experience and skills.

3: Adding achievements that aren't

We get it. You were prom queen or you were voted most likely to succeed in business (without even trying) by your peers in high school. But consider this: Are those achievements really achievements? The last thing you need is to puff up your resume with awards that have no relevance for the career you're chasing after. If you were elected president of your school's computer club four years running or you were awarded a citizenship award for your volunteer work at a local community center... then maybe we're talking. Academic achievements? Certainly. Just be judicious in choosing those highlights.

4: Citing previous salaries

Please, don't include your previous salaries on your resume. There are so many reasons not to do this. Here's one simple, self-serving reason not to do this: It will give your prospective employer a springboard for determining your new salary. Your goal should be to make more—so don't give the interviewer the means to undercut your true worth. Leave that information off so you can approach salary needs from a neutral point.

5: Including personal information

There is no reason to include the fact that you're married, have 2.5 kids, drive a minivan, attend X church, have a man cave, coach your middle child's soccer team, or think "khaki is a way of life." All of that will eventually come out in the wash as you begin your career in the IT or business world. On a resume, it has no place. If you don't agree, consider this. What happens if you go into an interview and the hiring manager happens to hate soccer or khaki? You've immediately put yourself on the defensive side of things and have to work your way around a preconceived notion.

6: Listing your age

It's not illegal for interviewers to ask you your age. They can. They shouldn't... but they can. Most often, it won't happen. But if it does, I'd recommend that you terminate the interview. Regardless of whether an interviewer plans on asking that question, you shouldn't prompt them or give them reason to question your value simply because you added your birthdate or age on that document. Leave it out.

7: Providing references

Don't include references. Don't even add "Available upon request." You're just wasting valuable real estate. If interviewers need references, they'll ask. Saying that your references are available upon request is like saying that you promise to come to work if hired. It's implied. Besides, the space on that single-page document is far too important to be used up by worthless statements.

8: Writing in third person

Jack believes that your being snarky or trying to impress by writing in third person makes you look cocky. Jack is certain the vast majority of people hate it when others talk of themselves in this manner. In fact, Jack insists that you never refer to yourself in third person unless you're trying to make your co-workers laugh. Jack would go so far as to not even write in first person. Why? I'm fairly certain it is understood every detail on your resume is about you. Agree with Jack...everyone is doing it.

9: Using a less-than-professional email address

It doesn't matter that you've used bromancewithbooze@gmail.com as your primary email address for years. Leave it off your resume. If that's the only email account you have, create a new one with a professional name (as in, your name). Even if you use it only for resumes, do it. (Along the same lines, don't use an AOL account address—especially if you're applying for a tech job!)

10: Including your current business contact information

Do this and you might wind up receiving a call at your current place of employment by your prospective employer. Never list the contact information of your current business. If the potential new employers want to contact your current business, all they have to do is look up the name to get the details. The only phone number you should include on your resume is your mobile number. Nothing more. And don't forget, your current employer might well be monitoring your phone calls and emails. Let that be your guide when you add information to your resume.

Other tips?

Your resume should help potential employers navigate the waters of your professional past and present. Don't muddy those waters with unnecessary information that could send you to the slush pile. Keep it relevant, fresh, and to the point and you'll increase the chances of getting to the next round of interviews.