Corporate Affairs

At eighteen we cannot wait to finish our matric, study for a degree and get out into the world of work. Some young women know exactly what they want to be and do. Others have been guided or misguided by their parents along the way. Most simply make what they consider the best choice at the time, and work-life unfolds, as they journey along the road of life.

•    Continuous learning and development
•    Participating - therefore feeling responsible for a particular outcome
•    Feeling that what you are doing, is making a difference for the better
Research over the years has consistently proven, that money, position and power are often lower on the list of priorities than the previously three mentioned points.

Remaining resilient at work includes:
•    Being able to manage interpersonal relationships optimally
•    Selecting projects and challenges aligned with our strengths
•    Finding an internal company mentor, who can share the companies culture imperatives with us
•    Having an external coach, with whom we can confidently explore our dilemmas, emerging political agendas, and work on our career management.

The most challenging work dilemma:
This is to find a balance between fitting in at work, being effective, delivering on targets as well as maintaining ones personal life and relationships without unnecessary compromise. Work life and family life are inextricably linked for better or worse. The more transparent and respectful and inclusive the work sphere is to the family, the more the benefits to mental health, adherence to family values, and healthy relationships. All too often extensive hours spent at work are nothing more than an apparently legitimate way of avoiding family, spouse, and child rearing responsibilities.

Keeping this balance has to be the hardest challenge. The only journey is the one where we remain in touch with our own internal value thermometer. Most times it is wise, in this chaotic society of ours, to resist the pull from outside, and rather listen with - both ears - to our internal voice, which connects us to our conscience, and our values, and  guides  our behaviour.

Over and above Personal Mastery and Leadership Acumen one has to have the following competencies to ensure a successful work life namely:

Political competence
Political games are part of the normal ebb and flow in communication between people. Politics and influence are one and the same. People have different interests and opinions and it is best to know what they are. We need to understand that people play games simply to protect themselves and in order not to have to take personal responsibility. Ones only recourse in the world of work, is to learn to play the game and improve the rules as one goes.

Negotiation competence
It is essential to know what we want. The alternative is to settle for what we are get. We further need to know, what we are prepared to give, in order to get what we want. Best we be aware as to when a situation or offering becomes unacceptable to us, and when it has become time to walk away. The greatest nations in the world become most powerful by exchanging resources and negotiating with one another, in order to build a broader mutually viable economic base.

Branding competence
The world of work requires that we need to be both seen and heard. We need to be both visible and credible.  In order to do this effectively, we need to assess our strengths in relation to the organizations needs. We need to manage people’s perception of us, and work at remaining top of mind, in a most memorable manner, in order to consistently get the work we want and are best at.

Networking competence
We need to show up at events and occasions that count, and tell people who we are and what we do well, in a way that is beneficial and relevant to them. It is in this manner that we grow a profile, which forms a customer base for the future. These relationships have to be fostered in an ethical manner, and should be based on a give and take and inherent respect for a competence philosophy.

Finally, as the journey of life takes us to middle age and beyond there are warnings to head. Work in essence is just a means to an end. It is simply one role we take on in life. It should never be allowed to become all that we are. In this manner it becomes the sole source of our self esteem. Work can endanger what matters most, your relationships and truly living your life. It can feed us, with a false sense of esteem.

As your life time progresses, your challenge will be to determine, who you are, without the role of work. The more you have lived a life true to your internal compass, guided by family and relationship values, and kept your body healthy, and your hobby interests broad, and aligned with nature and the planet, the easier this transition will be for you.

Contact her on Renate@hirs.co.za, www,hirs.co.za call her on 011 4550769, or 011 6063573.