Storm chasing - a fun, and potentially dangerous, profession. How does a storm chaser decide which storm is worth chasing and how do they weigh the risks of chasing said Storm? Similarly, how does an employer, the Storm Chaser, decide which candidate is worth chasing. What characteristics, like a Storm, categorize you as being chase-worthy? Equally as poignant, how do you become the Storm to chase and not run from? Be the Tornado, the Hurricane, the Tsunami.......
How? Your sheer awesomeness may be enough. Respectfully, probably not. What desired behaviors will launch you to the top, where those consummate professionals congregate? How did they get there? After many years of surrounding myself with both winners & losers, I've learned a few things about myself; strengths and weaknesses, and I've learned to surround myself with people I admire and learn from. I've been dawned with many achievement awards, and I've also been "let go". How can you morph yourself into the Storm that is highly desired, not run from? In the immortal words of the Talking Heads, "You may ask yourself, How did I get here?"
When we enter the workplace after our carefree, glutenous, self-absorbed days of college, the workplace seems like a foreign and distant land. Not to say by senior year of college we aren't ready for the change. Certainly by then we have figured out how truly broke & exhausted we are. Maybe even disgusted at our current living conditions. We've matured and have lost our taste for Ramen Noodles.
Entering this foreign land, we are immediately surrounded by folks with learned behaviors expected in the workplace; how to act, interact, display ourselves, agree, politely disagree, comply, and take direction. Adopting these behaviors are required to deem yourself worthy of keeping. The smart among us discover quickly the need to emulate the professionals already in play. The key here, and the point of this note, is to examine, with our newly hired, and hopefully decently paid eyes, why some co-workers are the proverbial Storm and some, well, just aren't. Surround yourself with those that have paved the way and force you to be the best version of yourself.
Longevity doesn't mean what it used to. Aligning yourself with the "seasoned" employee may be your detriment. Keep a keen eye and realize that just because an employee has been allowed to linger around the same organization for years, that doesn't display the desired behaviors of successful Storms, doesn't mean they are chase worthy. In fact, it's not failure on their part for still being employed, it's failure on the organization. Discover who they are, and you're on your way up. Competition is stiff. With 1.8 Million Bachelor's Degrees handed out each May in the U.S., there are many fantastic, eager, hungry Storms awaiting the opportunity to display themselves. As well, there are millions of proven Storms, that have passed through other organizations that come with knowledge. They are also awaiting the chance. Why allow a rain-shower to take the place of a Tsunami? Plant yourself in an organization that knows the difference.
So, what are some key characteristics of a real Storm...the ones worthy of chasing.
Determination. Grit. Patience. Energy. Integrity. Charisma. Attitude. Intellect. These traits are either innate or can be studied and learned. Question is, can you recognize a fellow Storm when you see one? Let them know you're coming with every professional interaction and allow yourself to be chased, not run from. Simple.
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