Today is the first day of the rest of my blog.

I didn't plan to start a blog.  Blog schmog.  But recently, while working with a direct marketing executive on defining his criteria for career success, he threw the question back at me.

My response, “I succeed by enabling people and organizations to fulfill their potential.” 

His pointed reply, “In that case, wouldn’t reaching out to a broader audience enhance your success?”   

Good point.  Consultant-coaches also advance by responding to insights from others.  

Decades of executing strategic initiatives for business and non-profit leaders has taught me to blend thought and action to get what they want done…done.  Plain and simple. 

These leaders are amenable to whatever strategic discussion is necessary to clarify a successful outcome.  But after that, they don’t want to invest time pondering considerations and obstacles.  That’s my job. 

Their only interests - progress, directional decision-making and more progress.  When we reach the goal, we win.  Then, the next day they start again with a higher standard or different endeavor. 

It’s a cycle of aspiration and realization. 

This blog will offer you concrete ways to realize your aspirations: 
      • Strive towards “a” success not ultimate success.
      • Balance inner reflection with outside perception.
      • Collect input and facts along the way.
      • Progress today to build even more success tomorrow.

Colin Powell tells it straight out, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

Success has a lot to do with failure.  How you frame failure, how you react to failure, and how you avoid failure.  It matters and it matters a lot.

Joann Lublin, management editor of The Wall Street Journal asked me how professionals can succeed when assigned to a project which seems doomed to fail.  As always, her column offers a variety of perspectives:
Assigned to a Flop? You Could Wind Up Looking Like a Winner
                                                              
Here are some additional thoughts on how to spin project straw into gold:

1. Brainstorm three reasons working on this project benefits you.  Self-advancement trumps self-pity every time.  Have you met new colleagues?  Did you learn new technical or leadership skills?  Before addressing problems and pitfalls, think about the lessons and experience you’ve gained.  This balanced and constructive context will lead to your best solutions. 
2. Prepare a project summary of six factors: goals; budget; timeframe; team; resources; and key milestones. 
3. Now prepare two proposed alternative summaries changing one or multiple factors to enable the project to succeed.
4. Engage other team members in finding a better solution.  Incorporate and credit their input.  Present the alternative to your boss as a path to success.
5. For projects “owned” higher up than your boss, hone the alternative scenario with him or her to take it up the line.  Gathering support up the food chain builds positive momentum for changes.

In sum:
Your best move - change course fast and find an alternative route to project success.
Your worst option – wait and hope it works out.  That won’t feel good and won’t yield good results.  Unless, you’ve also started searching for a new job.
                                                             ***
Questions or comments?  Please contact me Stefanie Smith, executive consultant and coach.