Bulletin No. 8 | March – April 2002

REMARKS FROM THE EDITOR

Working smart can be confusing, especially for recent graduate or young professionals. As we progress in our career, we discover that we will need to handle ambiguous situations constantly. The nature and scope of our responsibilities, how to interact effectively with colleagues, how to get things done, decide how much risk to take. It’s just part of the nature of being a successful professional in a rapidly changing work world.

In this edition, your editor has chosen a tip of a month – How position yourself to overcome skepticism. A complete tip from A to Z on handling crisis communication will give you some guidance on how to anticipate the unexpected. If you deal with human resource management, you’d better reflect how you transfer your positive attitude to your colleagues. In the management track you will find the expert advice on how to be a more tolerant, likeable, and respected manager. Whether you work for a not-for-profit organization, government agency, or a corporation, you will be able to adapt those strategies and tips to your situation.

Reading, talking and trying, will play a role in your learning process. It’s really a matter of leading with your strenght. Make it easy on yourself and go with what works best for you. Enjoy your reading!

Best wishes, 
Elizabeth Goenawan Ananto
Editor

TIPS OF THE MONTH

Positioning Yourself to Overcome Skepticism

You cannot always control circumstances. But you can control your own thoughts. In today’s skeptical environment, how you position and present yourself to your customers and prospective employer determines how much access to the marketplace you can ultimately achieve.

How can you position and begin to present yourself effectively?

1. Begin by focusing in the buyer’s perspective
   • What does the customer, the prospect in the marketplace want to see in someone like me?
   • How important I am to “You” and how I can make you sure that I’m the right one for “You”. 

2. Keep things in perspective
   • How serious a setback to my long-term objectives is this situation?
   • How serious is this situation when I compare it to what others around me are going through?
   • How upset will I be about this one month from now?

3. Avoid using negative self-talk in your personal and professional life
   • Negative self-talk reduces your ability to be positive
   • If you’ve had bad experiences, you can educate yourself to response positively to them
   • Speak to yourself in ways that reinforce your effort and esteem

4. Practice self-control. Learn to  limit your depression
   • Every time you walk into a prospecting situation, you are on stage.
   • Think about what it is you-re trying to accomplish.

Feel bad? Shake it off, prepare for your next opportunity

Your opportunities are in the future, not in the past

Source: Endless Prospects – C. R. Weylman