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Never Be Afraid to Reinvent Yourself
by Dave Snider, Adams-CG
These days, corporate re-structuring, down-sizing, upgrading and lack of project funding leaves many construction professionals feeling that their ice may be a bit thin, or a bit thinner than thin. Renovations, repairs, tenant-improvement, service work, energy-saving upgrades, government projects and better-than-expert repairs and installations become more main targets than they might have been before. Should the corporate axe come your way, you're not alone.
I've now seen stellar-resume'd, degree'd leaders find themselves in need of another employer or venture, and you need to know that your skill-set never leaves you just because an industry changes. Economies re-invent themselves gradually every five years, if not more often, but we may not notice the changes, and we may not notice how these changes affect our industries and professions. Thought-Leaders are always looking ahead and trying to see where the economies are headed, both regionally, nationally, and globally. Leaders are always trading notes to see what's next. All of those misplaced by economic changes have skill-sets, or they would not have been employed in the first place. ALL of them can find productive and profitable things to do in their industry or in similar industries. It requires some thinking, some research, some networking, and some learning and growing.
First thing, make a list of your assets relating to your profession. Make a list of problems solved, monies saved, monies earned by your efforts. If you're a Superintendent, share your problem-solving skills and be able to communicate how your skills can save on labor, without losing or overly-abrading your work-force. If you're an Estimator, share how your knowledge of software and field practices, vendors and industry trends can save an employer money and time. Whatever your field, the list of monies saved, earned, or problems solved is always valuable information, so, write it down.
Secondly, consult with leaders/achievers in your profession who have achieved multiple successes. Take notes. Listen and learn, even from those you feel might be 'lucky' or some who have achieved based on items other than raw skill. Every one of us can learn something from someone else, even if our points of view collide. Ask them if they know of needs anywhere, possibly for assistants with their endeavors, or someone else's. I've learned much from talking with business owners over the years. Everyone can teach something; everyone can learn something. Be a lifelong learner.
Thirdly, keep your emotional/psychological tanks full, and be upbeat about your eagerness to learn and to help. Confidence and preparation are important items, and both can be obtained, lifting your spirits to the task at hand (of meeting new people and finding employment or projects). I listen to audio-books and read some every morning. I've done this since about age 21, when I began recruiting for a life insurance company/agency. The books are typically about high achievers who have helped others greatly, people who have achieved, or self-improvement material. For me, the list included Steven Covey's '7 Habits of Highly Effective People', Tony Robbins and Og Mandino material (among others), books about Steve Jobs, Lee Iacocca, real estate guru's and others who achieved or succeeded. Nightingale Conant and other companies offer recorded versions of these books and seminars. These books would give me a 'lift' as I listened, often while I worked out at the gym, so I would feel confident and prepared as I started each day. Though our industry wants humble people (key to great management), they also want humble, upbeat, up-to-the-challenge people who are' other-people's needs' oriented.
In addition to getting a lift, books and audio-books can give tremendous volumes of instructional material, making you a better manager, estimator, service technician, superintendent, foreman, friend, husband, father, mother, etc. The old adage "You'll be the same person in 20 years that you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read" has some merit. Learning from others' journeys, adopting their strategies and learning from THEIR mistakes will make you better at most everything you do. I also read the Bible - Proverbs and Psalms every day, learned it from my Dad.
Research. Use the web, libraries, and your contacts. Most libraries have PC's for public use with broadband internet access, and construction professionals and construction schools often have racks of construction-related magazines such as ENR, where you may learn an idea that helps you, so you can help others. Google and Bing, among LiveSearch, Yahoo, and other search engines, can accept questions such as 'Who is hiring in construction in [your state or city area]?'
Be willing to talk with, and keep up with, recruiters, some regional recruiters for national or regional companies, some are headhunters who serve a large or narrow clientele. Try to find some who are focused on HELPING YOU. On many occasions I've given names, phone numbers, email addresses, anything I could to help someone looking for work, even if I couldn't professionally help them or earn a fee from the efforts. At Adams Consulting Group, we all try to help our industry of construction and its people every day. Our belief is that there is enough work and money to go around, plenty for everybody, though we realize the economic times and news media argues strongly with this belief.
Lastly or firstly, if you are of the world-view that includes a higher being and the ability to pray, then do. My world-view has a verse that says "If any of us lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally." I've prayed for wisdom every day for over 30 years, and have always been amazed and humbled by the good things that show up. It doesn't stop me from making stupid mistakes, but it often offsets them with successes, as long as I couple each item with humility.
I've had the privilege of recruiting through multiple recessions over the years, and have found that my billings and search load / placement loads were sustained. Mindset and preparation play important roles. Every day, somewhere, some entity is building or repairing a building, and the labor cannot be outsourced easily. That's where YOU come in.
Happy Hunting, Profitable Building, and Merry Christmas!
Dave Snider
Vice President, Executive Search Consultant
Adams Consulting Group
www.adams-cg.com
What companies and hiring authorities are looking for now –
Leaders, Problem Solvers, Those able to inspire performance
by Dave Snider, Adams-CG
People still retire, still get health problems, and companies still ask us for top talent to enhance or replace retiring leaders and managers. Rough seas are not unfamiliar to seasoned captains or leaders. Their requirements are often subjective, but similar. I list some of their needs here:
- The ability to lead, inspire, command great performance out of people in spite of difficult or inconvenient circumstances. Yet still a TEAM player, able to listen and learn from existing folks.
- The ability to implement change and accountability procedures without abrading long-tenured employees.
- The ability to submit to leadership when they strongly feel that their views are incorrect – still they can ‘own’ the ideas of leadership and communicate the ideas as if the ideas came from their own desk.
- The ability to solve problems, see opportunities, be a ‘thought leader,’ thinking ahead on every issue.
- The ability to get more done with less. Every great General in the Armed Forces has had to develop these skills, and the construction industry needs it today, more than ever.
- The ability to connect to customers, employees, and prospects/recruits.
- The ability to recruit the best and brightest with a vision for them and the company.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but these things are critical today.
Respectfully/sincerely,
Dave Snider, Vice President, Executive Search Consultant, Adams Consulting Group
www.adams-cg.com
(336)577-4283 mobile