Soft Skills

Do you have inspirational quotient

No man is an island; entire unto itself…From "Meditation XVII," by John Donne.

It is true that your opportunities for tomorrow will stem from how you invest in your career today. While the care and nurturing of your career are vital to your professional future, they cannot be your only goal. If they are, your satisfaction will be very fleeting.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many people who are successful by the standards of this world. They have position, power, and money. Some of them have attained levels of wealth and professional status that the rest of us only dream about. And yet I can tell you that their greatest satisfaction, personal joy, and sense of accomplishment do not come from the deals they have orchestrated, the amount of money they have earned, or the size of their estates.

Do not get me wrong. These people enjoy the financial fruits of their labours and all that goes with their success. But those who are truly wise understand one important thing: Nothing that they have acquired or attained can guarantee them happiness or insulate them from problems and worries. In this they are just like the rest of us. No matter what your position in life, the most enduring happiness does not come from what you do. Rather, it comes from what you do for others.

Knowing that you have made a difference to just one person carries an intrinsic reward. This is the kind of treasure that you store in your heart, not in your bank account. Neither time nor circumstances can tarnish this gold or ever take it away from you.

I will focus on the three principles of your inspirational quotient. This new IQ reflects your capacity to inspire others. Regardless of your circumstances, level of achievement, or the amount of money you have, these principles apply:

Adopt an attitude of service

I remember when I was first out in this business. It took countless hours of networking to meet people, to 'sell' my services, to build my client base, and to define my reputation. Over the years, I had the help and support of many people-from friends who cheered me on to colleagues and other professionals who made introductions and opened doors for me. While I have been on the receiving end of such help, I have also made it a point to give it whenever and wherever I could.

And so it should be for you. While you are working to make connections, build your network, and capitalise on the opportunities that come your way, you must strive to be part of someone else's network. This can take many forms. Perhaps you have a particular expertise or level of experience that would be valuable in a mentoring programme in your company or in your industry. Or you might have an 'ear to the ground' for opportunities not only for yourself but also for acquaintances who are looking to change jobs-or find a new one. Just being available to listen to someone or to give them feedback is valuable.

You do not have to try to save the world. Rather, make it your goal to improve your small corner of it.

If you have achieved success, be an inspiration to others. If you found a particular industry group or business gathering to be a good source of job or client leads, then let others in on it. Invite a guest to the next networking opportunity. Keep in mind those talented colleagues and associates who would be of value to your employer. If nothing else, recruiting others will reflect well on you. Introduce someone around. Help him or her to make the next connection. However, be careful not to do this with a sense of charity. If you shepherd someone around because you feel sorry for him or her, you are not doing that person, or yourself, any favours. The other person may end up resenting your attitude, and you could come across as condescending. Encourage and help those whom you really believe in.

Never underestimate the value of listening. If you cannot offer job leads or recommendations to someone-perhaps you work in entirely different industries, such as pharmaceuticals and sporting goods-you can still help. Be a sounding board for someone else's ideas. Listen with an open mind. You do not have to have the answers, but your feedback may help someone to shape an action plan for the future. Read over a resume, or critique a cover letter. These are seemingly small efforts that can be a big help. By giving of yourself, you show people that they-and their dreams and goals-are worthwhile.

Joseph is a success by anyone's measure. However, if you ever met my dear friend, you might not know just how successful he really is. A self-made man, he never 'forgot where he came from,' as the saying goes. More important, when he meets someone, he is far more interested in who they are-what they have to say, their views and opinions-than in talking about himself. What he gives to others is his genuine and sincere attention. He listens with an attentiveness that feels like a precious gift.

Your efforts to help do not have to cost you anything. The most valuable gifts you can give come from yourself-genuine concern, a listening ear, respectful feedback.

You also may choose to extend your help to others in far less fortunate circumstances. Through community or outreach groups, you can donate money and/or your time. Governmental budget cuts and the tightening of household purse strings have put a crimp in the funding of many charitable and social services groups. You do not have to be a millionaire to adopt a philanthropist's attitude. It comes down to this: If you have the means, help out where you can.

My friend Jennifer volunteers at a soup kitchen for the homeless. Serving meals to those who are far less fortunate should be enough. But not for Jennifer. Her goal-her personal goal-is to serve these individuals as if they were in the best restaurants. For example, when Jennifer ladles out gravy on mashed potatoes, she is careful that nothing is spilled on the edge of the plate. Any drop is whisked away with a napkin. The extra care she takes is appreciated by those she serves. Because of a simple 'Thanks,' a smile, or a grateful look, she knows that her efforts do not go unnoticed. To Jennifer, she is serving much more than gravy. She is dishing out dignity.

Finding meaning

What do you do? If you are like most people, you have been asked this question millions of times. In casual conversation, the reply is usually a brief description of your job. However, this is not all that you do. Through your daily interactions in business and through your personal life as well, you touch countless people. When you can put your career into a bigger context, you can find meaning in any job.

Many jobs today are in the service sector. If this is where your career path has led, your daily job has a direct impact on the customer-an individual end-user. It does not matter whether you work for a bank, an insurance company, a utility, or a retail chain, your efforts are all pointed toward anticipating and meeting the needs of the individual.

To find meaning in your professional life, look beyond what you do. Think about why you do it-and those who benefit. Putting a face on the job that you do personalises it. Be like a doctor who does not think about practising medicine but rather about making patients well.

Excerpt from 'Customise Your Career' by Roz Usheroff. Reproduced with permission © 2005, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited. Price: Rs 250.