Anne Guetschow

Actually, I disagree. An interviewer could care less about your career goals. They are hiring for a job today that no one can predict will even be around in three years. So, as they suggest, give a standard answer like, "I plan to work hard and learn from others." Good enough.

One may read mission, vision, values and maybe get a peek at strategic goals from a company website, but learning about culture is truly an inside job. What behaviors are encouraged in people and systems over time? You cannot find this out through regular research. You would have to actually talk with someone you trust who works for the company to get these insights. The truth is it's a game of chance at best. At worst, you learn a valuable lesson.

Actually, I disagree. I believe long-term goals need to be much shorter than five to fifteen years in duration. The rapid pace of change dictates that long-term is at most three years out. Give any new role, industry, or organization one year to determine fit. If it doesn't fit, move on as soon as possible.

Self-discipline is something that doesn't come naturally to certain aspects of my life. Work effort? No problem. Anything involving my head, thinking, creating, writing, designing, organizing, etc. I have self-discipline galore. My bosses love me. I'm a "work horse" 🐎 🐎 💪 🐎 🐎 (I dislike that metaphor immensely, but it's true.) It is the physical realm where self-discipline always escapes me. Physical workouts are painful. As soon as pain sets in it is easy to stop. Thinking about future pain also makes starting difficult. "Commit to Will" is the hardest step and I haven't found the right adhesive. Where can I buy some "STICK-TO-IT-TIVITY" for exercise????

I think this hits all the psychological needs that Self-determination Theory tells us that we humans crave: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. 1. I need to find tactics I will actually implement and thoroughly explore the pros and cons of each (Autonomy). 2. If I select the right tactics for me and I achieve my goals, I get to give myself credit for being an expert on myself - the one person I get to spend (literally) a lifetime improving (Competence). 3. I get to work with a coach who has my best interests at heart and has taken the time to learn about and has an obvious interest in helping others (Relatedness).

I strongly agree with Nanveet Jaitly. I suggest that we learn to become comfortable with silence. How? Pose the questions and pause. Then, give "permission" aloud for the team to think and exist together silently. Say: "I am comfortable with silence. As you gather your thoughts, we will be quiet together until someone is ready to share." Then, do that.