Occie Norton, PE M.ASCE’s Post

I frequently see people congratulating others on promotions, new positions, and recognition with, “well deserved.” Although I appreciate the intent, I believe what people really mean is, “well earned.” We don’t deserve anything, especially professionally. Probably true in all aspects of life too, but I’m going to focus on professionally. Congratulating someone with “well deserved” implies somehow they became worthy of their new state. In fact deserving means - worthy of being treated in a particular way, typically of being given assistance. Given the definition of deserving, I don’t think this is what most people actually mean with their acknowledgment of the the other person’s accomplishment. My concern with the congratulations being communicated as “well deserved” is we’re developing a misguided societal view of what it takes to accomplish things professionally and in life. There isn’t a magical day of crossing the threshold to a state of worthiness. Another key aspect of the definition is “being treated in a particular way.” I recognize people of different levels of authority and accomplishment get treated differently than others not at the same levels. As a company owner, I get treated differently than our team members, by my partners, by clients, and by vendors. My hope would be that we aren’t treating people as worthy or deserving based on title, a promotion, or some award. Especially professionally, we should be acknowledging the time, focus, energy, and expertise applied that produced the outcome. I believe “well deserved” sends a message, specifically to young people, that says at some point in your professional life you will be deserving of recognition. Of course this isn’t true, but I’m concerned the narrative is already in place around “well deserved.” So the next time you are congratulating someone for a professional accomplishment or recognition, I encourage you to pass along “well earned” and see if it doesn’t strike a more appropriate sentiment than “well deserved."

How I got every one of my 12 promotions during my career :: >> Showcase and share accomplishments. Don't wait for your annual review. Highlight achievements as they're happening. Talk about the progress you and your team are making. It ceases to feel icky when you make it part of your usual conversations. >> Commit to growth and initiative Look for opportunities to invest in yourself. Volunteer for projects and activities adjacent to your job responsibilities, especially if it's a chance to lead. Everyone has a natural leadership style. Lean into it and learn how to apply it. >> Leverage imagination and belief The steps above are helpful, but they're nothing without unwavering belief in yourself. This is why most people fail... they haven't changed their internal identity. How do you change your internal identity? Picture yourself in the role. Picturing means imagining what it will be like to have the promotion and feeling it as a reality. Accept the promotion as an inevitable truth in your mind and your subconscious will go to work for you. You will see the opportunities for each of these steps and follow through effortlessly because you're already living it in your mind. Always for you, Elissa #Careers #Leadership #CorporateWithAHeart Is it crazy to want a promotion? Share ♻️ if you found this helpful.

My first career-job was a nightmare… Ok not all of it, but the first 3 months were the toughest of my career to this day... I’m forever grateful to Brett Shreck, who gave me my start in leadership as a 23yo, fresh out of college, to lead a volunteer department at a church… Boy did i struggle! My first week was marked by a public screaming-match with a colleague over differences in opinions. When Brett saw me struggling during the first few weeks, instead of firing me 😬 , he introduced me to the discipline of reading books, baptised me with fire by giving me John Maxwell’s Winning With People (I recently finished reading that book for the 3rd time). From that time on, I've made it a habit to create at least 30 minutes in my day to read. 3 careers later, I agree that experience is not always the best teacher, sometimes a good book can help you break the hurt cycle that can best be described by The Pain Principle from Winning with People: hurting people, hurt people and are easily hurt by them. Currently, I’m over halfway through #TheAdvantage by Patrick Lencioni. The discipline that speaks to my result-oriented mind is discipline #2 - seeking clarity. I ended up having a very fulfilling 5 years in that first position. What was your first 3 months like in your first career job? #qualityassurance #Leadership

Here’s a picture of me accepting the Executional Excellence of the Year Award in our annual Haiilo gala that took place a month ago. A long time ago I decided I don’t want to compromise who I am as a person in my professional life. That has meant that I don’t fit into every organisation. I have strong views on what makes sense in contemporary working life and what doesn’t. I’ve given the “wrong answer” in numerous job interviews, knowing it is probably not what the interviewer wants to hear, and will probably cost me the job. But if they don’t get it, I wouldn’t want to be there anyway. In some places my opinions might be seen as negative or counterproductive to the team. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I want myself and everyone around me to be better and do better, and that doesn’t happen if conflicts are avoided and things are not challenged. I try to always find the essential and remove the noise, and believe me, there is a lot of noise. Sometimes you naturally wonder if it’s worth it, staying true to principles that might not matter to anyone but yourself and in the worst case, hindering your own career progress. That’s why it feels extra good to hear that “constructively challenging the status quo” is considered a plus and thought of as leadership. That was one of the things mentioned in the reasons for this award. And I do feel it too. Haiilo is definitely the place where I’ve felt most confident expressing my views, knowing that I’m heard and met with respect. That’s why you can go all Gene Simmons on the stage with the whole C-level rallying behind you. 📸 : Mareike Gravenhorst

Regardless of where you’re at in your career it’s never too late to raise your profile and go for that promotion you’ve secretly been coveting. But expecting your results to speak for themselves and your managers to notice you is going to have you waiting a long time, chipping away at your confidence. Meanwhile Colin who joined a month after you just got that promotion handed to him on a plate and he doesn’t even work half as hard as you do! Unbelievable! You feel like you’ve tried everything, you don’t even know what else to do and you’re frustrated AF. The main reason talented people get overlooked for promotions isn’t because they are not good enough or not delivering, it’s because they are invisible to the people making the promotion decisions. You have to advocate for your results to make sure you and your achievements are visible, putting you top of mind come promotion time. Giving your results a voice is a career advancing strategy and one you must learn to confidently use to get the recognition and promotions your desire and deserve. It’s not braggy or arrogant. It’s factual, strategic and smart. In my upcoming webinar I’ll take you through exactly what you need to do to raise your profile, get noticed and get your next promotion. Register now using the link below. https://lnkd.in/eu3Z665G #CareerSuccess #PersonalGrowth #RiseToRecognition #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching #LeadershipSkills

What does 11 years Compare the Market teach you? Well, Adam S. gives us some insight into that question.👀 🎧 Listen to this month’s Characterful Career podcast episode; Adam talks about his career journey, his MBA apprenticeship, all with his unique neurodiverse perspective. #ndcw2024 #characterfulcareers

So I recently had someone tell me that because they didn't get promoted, they were going to just get by, effectively quiet quitting. I responded by saying "So your work product is conditional?", you only put forth an effort based on how much you feel you're valued and appreciated. As someone who's been under-leveled, undervalued, under-compensated, and underestimated, I certainly get it. It is most certainly demoralizing to not have your contributions appreciated or acknowledged, but consider this. What if you push anyway because that is who you are and what you believe in? It's more than just a brand, and you don't have anything to prove to anyone else but yourself because you are that good. Striving for excellence can lead to personal growth and skill development. Even if external recognition is limited you can continue to enhance your abilities and knowledge which can benefit your career in the long run. Also, a commitment to high standards can be intrinsically motivating when you take pride in your work and seek to improve it, you derive satisfaction from the process itself regardless of external rewards. You can enhance your professional reputation and credibility, and your dedication to excellence may open up future opportunities even if they are not immediately apparent. It could lead to promotions, new projects, or roles in which your skills are more valued. Reference: #GinnyLeads Brand: Somtochukwu (Nsofor) Nnajim #HighValue #brandidentity #discipline #dedication #Linkedin #iServe

Thanks to Amy Myers for nominating me to post my #DefiantOriginStory. I often think about how interesting it is that I fell into the world of Staffing. Growing up in a family of educators, education was a big priority, and having a job when not playing sports was expected. My brother and I worked in our off seasons and summers, which was never a contentious issue but rather a norm. This early work experience instilled a sense of independence in me, and the more I worked, the less I had to rely on others, giving me a lot more freedom. After college, uncertain of my career path, I moved from Manhattan, KS to St. Louis, MO determined to figure it out.   I was really fortunate to be introduced to someone who would later have a profound impact on me both personally and professionally. The first time he offered me a job, I happily accepted! But, after a month and a half, I un-accepted after finding another opportunity I felt was a better fit. I was so nervous about that phone call! I knew it was disappointing, but he handled it with grace. We stayed in touch, and a year later, I was right where I was supposed to be with that original job offer and the business cards he had already ordered the year before. Lesson #1-Make the difficult phone call instead of email or text. Lesson #2-Even if the outcome isn’t what you want, don’t be a jerk. You never know how your paths will cross again.   I went on to spend most of my career at that company. I learned something every day, and I was challenged to do things I never dreamed were possible. I traveled to cities I had never been to and had experiences I had never had before. I learned that if you consistently expect excellence, you will consistently get excellence. I learned that accountability is key not only for others, but also for yourself. I learned that achieving goals are meant to be celebrated. And, I learned that sometimes you have to make tough decisions that will make you lose sleep for weeks. In the end, I learned so much about business, relationships, success, failure – and I learned that sometimes it just takes one person to encourage, believe in and inspire you to do more than you ever thought was possible.   That same person once pushed me to attend an out-of-town client event, where I met a competitor who became my Business Partner. We founded Workforce Connections with a simple goal to be purposeful in our work. Driven by that passion, we created a program specifically designed to support Veterans that ultimately led to co-founding Veteran Connections. We are proud of the work we are doing to positively impact the Veteran community and excited for its continued growth. Looking forward to hearing from my good friends Jonathan Yeomans and Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA! 😊 Thanks to Bryan Peña, CCWP for getting this started.

My Extensive Experience Was Not Being Properly Showcased!! For years, I found myself in a frustrating position. Despite my extensive experience and numerous achievements, I felt like my career was stuck in neutral. My contributions were substantial, but somehow, they weren't being noticed or appreciated. It was like shouting into a void—my hard work and dedication seemed to fall on deaf ears. Here’s my story: Early in my career, I assumed that delivering exceptional results was enough to advance and be recognized. I threw myself into projects, often taking on more than my fair share, thinking that my work would speak for itself. But as the years passed, I realized that simply doing great work wasn’t enough. My experience and contributions were not being properly showcased, and I wasn’t advancing as I had hoped. The Turning Point: The turning point came during a performance review that left me feeling particularly undervalued. Despite leading several successful initiatives and mentoring new team members, my accomplishments were barely mentioned. I left that meeting determined to take control of my career narrative. Here’s what I did: Articulating My Value: I started by meticulously documenting my achievements, both big and small. I quantified my contributions—projects completed, cost savings achieved, and teams led. This wasn’t just for my own records; I began to weave these accomplishments into conversations, presentations, and my personal branding. Rebranding My Professional Identity: I revamped my brand personally in many ways. I highlighted key projects, outcomes, and the impact I had on the organization. Seeking Visibility: I took on roles and initiatives to showcase my strengths in new ways. This not only expanded my network but also positioned me as a thought leader in my field. Advocating for Myself: Perhaps the hardest part was learning to advocate for myself. I also practiced negotiating and made sure to communicate my career aspirations clearly to my superiors. The Outcome: These efforts paid off. I started receiving recognition not only from my immediate team but from senior leaders as well. Opportunities for advancement began to appear, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. My experience was finally being showcased, and my career trajectory changed for the better. Takeaway: If you feel like your extensive experience isn’t being properly showcased, remember that you are your own best advocate. It’s not just about working hard; it’s about making sure your hard work is seen and acknowledged. Got jumping promotions. Don’t wait for others to notice—take the reins and actively shape your professional narrative. Have you ever felt that your experience was overlooked? How did you overcome it? #CareerAdvancement #PersonalBranding #ProfessionalGrowth #SelfAdvocacy #CareerStory #LinkedInCommunity

Success is not devoid of failure! ----- In the pursuit of professional development, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our journey to those of our peers or mentors. Yet, it's essential to remember that imperfection is a universal human condition. Even the most inspiring figures in our fields have faced setbacks and challenges.  You may recognize a few of these names: > James Dyson > Walt Disney > Oprah Winfrey > Isaac Newton All of these people (and many more) had massive amounts of failure before reaching the fame that they are known for today. In an age where the highlights of professional success are often glorified, it's vital to remember the role of imperfections in shaping our career trajectories.