Four Effective Ways to NOT get hired!!!!

 

Wouldn't you agree that as a young leader it is a real pain to have to interview for a job? I mean really... who wants to get a good job, who wants to communicate well who you are and how you can be a blessing to a company or organization, who wants to have meaningful ways to serve your community, who wants to make a difference in this world through your work. It's so much more fun to be turned down in a job interview, even if you would do a great job, right?

So try out these effective strategies that I guarantee will keep you from ever being employed... ANYWHERE.

First, never create eye-contact. Eye-contact demonstrates confidence. It communicates strength of character. It shows you are present in the moment. NEVER DO THIS! You might get a job it you do this. Yikes.

Second, whatever you do, not matter how hard it may be... do not, I repeat, do not smile. If you share a genuine smile during your interview, that person may think that you are a kind and caring person. DISGUSTING! And if they think you care then they might give you the opportunity to (I'm about to say a really bad word) WORK! Uggghhhhh.

Third, remember, mumbling is your friend. Never ever speak clearly and enunciate. Never talk with enthusiasm and purpose. This communicates that you would bring energy and passion to your work and that you would add value to the organization. It just gives me the creeps to think about it. So, just keep your mouth half or mostly closed and rarely speak in the direction of the person you are talking to.. and you'll be fine.

Finally, I cannot say how highly I recommend checking every text, listening to every sound, talking to every passer by, and generally staying distracted during an interview. I shudder to think about it, but if do the opposite, if you stay connected in conversation with your interviewer he or she may see you as a respectful and focused person, the kind that would be a joy to work with. What a horrible possibility!

In summary, if you don't want to be weighed down with a meaningful, compelling, useful job, four sure fire strategies are to 1) Never make eye-contact, 2) Never Smile, 3) Never Speak Enthusiastically, and 4) Never stay connected in conversations. I guarantee that you'll never get a job.

Good luck... I mean bad luck to you!

Special thanks to Frankie Turner for Chic-fil-A at Hunter's Crossing, Alcoa, TN for the positive version of these core 4 competencies.

It's Everything. But what is it?

Integrity- If you have it, it's everything. If you don't have it, it's everything.

Click on the image below to hear Craig Groeschel share a powerful, INCREDIBLY powerful sermon on this.

Leadership Lessons from Lincoln

Leaders solve problems. They communicate and they persuade. Leaders know that many varieties of communication styles are needed to accomplish their tasks. Based on the recent 2012 movie, Lincoln, we will focus here on two.

At times leaders may communicate through direct, brief statements. They may use this style to create new inertia and break through fears that hold a team back. This kind of communication lends itself well to situations where ongoing inaction can kill an organization, team, or family. However, this style of communication has its downsides as well. It can lack the power to motivate people to change and overcome their preconceived notions. Relevant story-telling is another communication tool that can strengthen a leader's communication repertoire. Through simple, poignant storytelling, listeners are disarmed and challenged to consider new ways of thinking and being. In compelling and incredibly powerful ways, President Lincoln, played by Daniel Day Lewis, these two communication styles in the recent film Lincoln. 

On the evening of the monumental vote to permanently end slavery through the acceptance and ratification of 13th amendment, Lincoln is meeting with his cabinet. Angered and frustrated by the politicking of his cabinet, in no uncertain words, Lincoln demands the support and help of his team to get the final votes needed. He forcefully declares, "I am President of the United States of America, clothed in immense power. You will procure me these votes." To be effective, sometimes leaders must be direct, pointed, and crystal clear. In fact, sometimes tact can get in the way of clear communication.

However, at other times, directness can actually encourage the hearers to discount or resist taking needed steps or making necessary changes. In these instances stories can engage listeners in ways that are deeper and more persuasive. Remember a time when you were drawn into a story, told with enthusiasm and purpose. By its completion, that story not only captured your attention, but challenged your way of thinking. On some occasions, it can even change long term, deeply rooted ways of thinking. Take, for example, Lincoln's exchange with Thaddeus Stephens.

Thaddeus Stevens, played passionately by Tommy Lee Jones, is a powerfully determined and somewhat reckless abolitionist. With or without the support of his fellow congressman, or frankly anyone, he is focused in a single-minded way on garnering full citizenship for for enslaved African-Americans. His quest is reaching the "True North" of full equality for slaves. Lincoln, desperately needs Stevens' support to pass the 13th amendment, but Lincoln knows Stevens cannot be persuaded by sheer force of will. Instead, Lincoln seeks to persuade Stevens through the power of story. Engagingly Lincoln says, "A compass, I learned, while I was surveying, it'll point you true north from where you're standing. But it's got no advice about the swamps and deserts and chasms that you'll encounter along the way. If in pursuit of your destination, you plunge ahead, heedless of obstacles and achieve nothing more than to sink in a swamp, what's the use of knowing true north?"

As we see, later in the movie, Stevens is persuaded and is willing to change his strategy in order to reach the goal of abolishing slavery from the United States.

So leader, if solving problems lends itself to either of these communication styles, consider the following: when do you need to be direct, clear, and strong and... when do you need to harness the power of story? If those you lead already know where you stand and are fearful or unsure about moving forward clear, direct communication may be precisely what they need. However, if you are faced with deeply ingrained beliefs, a well told and aptly applied story may be just the tool you need to persuade and motivate.

Lead on.