Andria Corso

How are your personal leadership skills? Do you have the right mindset about leading your own life? Are you managing your energy well and do you have a support system behind you? Take some time to think about whether you are leading your own life as well as you are leading in your work life.

You know how it goes: you start your workday with a pretty good idea of what you want to do and need to accomplish. You have really good intentions about how productive your day will be and then, you get an unexpected phone call. Someone is sick or hurt or perhaps it's your spouse calling to let you know the basement has flooded and you are immediately needed at home. Whatever it is, it is not what you planned and you immediately need to shift your focus.

Life is full of change and often times that change occurs in our professional lives. It also often seems to be directed by others and out of our control. Yet, there are also many times in our lives when we desire change, when we, in fact, NEED change to keep us inspired and motivated. So, how do you truly know when it's time for a change in your professional life? There are three key signs that are clear indicators you're ready for things to be different.

Through the process of working with and coaching all levels of leaders, I've discovered some consistencies in qualities that distinguish those who are high potential and emerging talent. These are not only the qualities I actually see in these individuals but also the qualities that senior leaders speak of when they look for new leaders.

When you first start a new job, it's very beneficial to have a "first 90-days plan." Why? First, because it gives you some direction about where you want to focus your time and attention in your first three months and second, because many companies will give you a "90-day review" after your first three months on the job or even your first three months in a new role. Therefore, having a plan for those first three months is an important factor in your ability to be successful from the start.

Passion is defined as a strong emotion or feeling about something, or, a burst of strong emotions. We all are passionate about things in our lives: our family, children, hobbies and, hopefully our careers. I recently read the book The Corner Office by Adam Bryant. The book captures the thoughts of numerous CEOs in many different industries. Specifically, it is about how they not only advanced their own careers to that top spot but also what they look for in hiring people and promoting people.

Although the job market is not as robust as it once was, companies still deal with issues retaining their top employees. The number one reason employees leave a company is because of an issue with their direct manager (or overall lack of leadership in the company) and the next reason is because they do not feel they have room to grow and develop their careers within that organization.

There is a framed photo on my desk of a runner out for a run in a beautiful field with mountainous views. The photo says, "Persistence - The race goes not only to the swift but to those who keep running." I love this photo because it reminds me to be persistent in the pursuit of my goals and dreams. When we are persistent, we act with conviction and that energy draws us toward those people and events that help our dreams come to fruition. Even if they don't show up exactly how we want or think.

When working with clients in the area career advancement, one of the first things we talk about is their willingness; that is, do they know what it takes to reach their ultimate career goal and are they willing to do what it takes to get there? This is usually a good reality check to ensure that the career goal is meaningful and realistic.

There is a lot of talk today about career transitions. Perhaps because the economy has forced some people out of their jobs and they need to make a transition, or because people are starting to take a more introspective look at what they want to do and how they want to spend their time. Either way, transitioning into a new career is a frequent occurrence today. Although it can be something that seems overwhelming, it is also an outstanding opportunity for a fresh start.