Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
"Strengthen Your Backbone!": Career Advice from Banking Dynamo Elaine Agather
Elaine Agather is quite the powerhouse when sharing her impassioned career advice from 33 years in banking working in London, San Francisco, and New York until she relocated to Dallas, Texas in 1984. She is currently the Chairman of Chase's Dallas region and she also serves as south region head and managing director of The Private Bank at J.P. Morgan.
Agather is energetic and chic but she is also tough
She has thrived through more than 10 bank mergers in her career. How does this pint-sized Texas cowgirl-at-heart do this? By following what she had dubbed as "Elaine's 8", career advice stemming from a banker who also sits on the advisory board of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Her list is appropriate for kids aged 2 to 92!
I had the personal opportunity to hear first-hand from Agather and wanted to summarize her prized Elaine's 8 with you:
Saddle Your Own Horse...then ride with a good teamDon't wait for others to take care of you or for that dream job to come along. Never wait! You're in charge of your life and your career. Don't wait for someone to tell you your next step.
Know how to give some of it up and trust your team; empower people. The more you let go, the more you end up getting.
Like What You Do...and then decide what to like next
I didn't say "Do what you like"-there's a big difference. Liking what you do means you know how to make the most of opportunities. You look for the positives in every situation. Figure out how to "own" your current job. You play the hand you're dealt, and you win.
Turn on a Dime...but remember to slow down
Become a speed demon at changing directions. Embrace new opportunities and ideas. Adapt and thrive because changes will just keep coming. Change is about your attitude. How you respond to change is what matters most.
Stay Connected...but vary the connectionsDevelop and nurture relationships. Diversity is a good thing. Find mentors and reach out to those who might want to learn from you. Stay close to those you care about.
You do not have to "formalize" mentor relationships. I have many, many mentors that don't even know they are my mentors. Vary how you connect with people. A relationship is not just email communication. Deepen relationships and they will keep a memory of you.
Practice Free Speech...and sprinkle it liberally with "thank yous"
Communicate all the time. Repeat your message as often as possible. People need to hear what you have to say. Don't assume they already know-they usually don't.
People trust you more if you tell them what's going on. Women especially have to make it easy for someone to give them feedback without fear of reaction. Don't cry at work about work related drama. It will impact other's openness in giving honest feedback.
Get Over It...but spend a little time in recovery
Don't dwell on the past. Don't take things that happen in business personally. Tough decisions have to be made; that's part of the process. You will make mistakes. Fix them and move on.
Develop Your Funny Bone...but cry with them too
You cannot survive--in business or in life-- without a sense of humor. Lighten up, loosen up and laugh. It's amazing how far this will take you. And, you'll sure feel a lot better!
Show tears when time for compassion (when team loses loved ones, sicknesses, etc.) (But not for work related stress...see above) I am competitive but I don't take myself too seriously.
Strengthen Your Backbone
Do the right thing when it's not easy or popular. Character is our foundation. Integrity has to be our guiding value. We're nothing without it.
Saddle up these Elaine's 8 for your career and life and we hope that it puts you in a position for your next promotion/opportunity to say "Giddyup!"
Que Fagan
Blogger in Chief
www.thesupagroup.com
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