Have You Lost Your "WHY" in Your "HOWs"?

In a recent excellent LinkedIn post by @Edouard-Malo HENRY, "Moving from a 'how' to 'why' company", he talks about how businesses face a significant risk if they lose sight of their core purpose in their preoccupation with new processes and solutions. I immediately identified that as a critical risk I see affecting my career coaching clients.

Many clients come to me convinced they have only one—or maybe two—driving needs: A better resume and, possibly, an improved LinkedIn profile. These clients come from all stages of the career management life cycle: unemployed and searching, about to be unemployed and searching, looking to move up, recently graduated, or at a life and career transition. Yet each one tends to seek a career coach or resume writer for a "product" ... a resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, or bio. But career management is process, an exploration, a journey, not a product!

And this process needs to start with "WHY?"

The "why" needs to be at the beginning, in the middle—and near the end— of every career!

In the Henry article referenced above he writes, "nothing is more essential for an oganisation, or for each of us, than understanding first the sense behind our actions." Do you know what is behind your actions?

Working as a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), the "whys" are as important to me as the "hows" in understanding and partnering with my clients to make sure they are making the right decisions and positioning themselves as strongly as possible to their target markets.

Until you understand "why" you do what you do, you can't possibly understand "how" you do what you do. And until you understand the how of what you do, and HOW to communicate that how in a succinct value proposition, you can't effectively begin or continue a job search or career management plan.The WHY: What drives you? What is your motivation? The HOW: Your behavioral and communications strengths.

 Successful people share the common trait of self-awareness.

They recognize the situations that will make them successful, and this makes it easier for them to find ways of achieving objectives that resonate with their motivations. They also understand their limitations and where they are not effective, and this helps them understand what does not inspire them or what will not motivate them to succeed.

Those who understand their natural motivators are far more likely to pursue
the right opportunities, for the right reasons, and get the results they desire.

Having an objective measure and understanding of HOW and WHY someone will behave is vital to predicting the performance of job applicants, optimizing employee performance, building top performing teams, uncovering the source(s) of communicative dysfunction, and developing self-aware leaders.

Discover your "WHY" by taking a DISCstyles Motivators and Values Assessment, measuring the seven dimensions of motivation and producing a detailed analysis of your personal drivers.:

• THEORETICAL - Knowledge, Understanding
• REGULATORY - Structure, Order, Routine
• INDIVIDUALISTIC - Independence, Uniqueness
• AESTHETIC - Form, Beauty, Balance
• ECONOMIC - Practical Results, Money, ROI
• POLITICAL - Control, Power, Influence
• ALTRUISTIC - Service, Helping Others

Discover your "HOW"—your behavioral and communications strengths—by taking a DISCstyles Leadership, Sales, Self, or Career Management Assessment.

This powerful combination of career coaching tools and process is a vital first step in improving performance, satisfaction, and happiness in your life and career!

Contact me for more information on partnering with me in this exciting exploration of YOU!