November 13, 2008 Ginny O’Brien, MS, PCC The Columbia Consultancy Marblehead, Massachusetts

1. Facts and Fiction: What You Need to Know to Successfully Embark on Your Career November 13, 2008 Ginny O’Brien, MS, PCC The Columbia Consultancy Marblehead, Massachusetts 781-631-9765 ginny@columbiaconsult.com

2. Your Definition of Success How do you define success?

3. Fact and Fiction #1 • FICTION: To succeed you must have a clear, straight-line path from the beginning of your career • FACT: What you need is clarity about your strengths, your core values, what turns you on, and what makes you happy. Know yourself well.

4. Women’s Definition of Success ACHIEVEMENT of GOALS HAPPINESS MAKING a DIFFERENCE BALANCE

5. Fact and Fiction #2 FICTION: To succeed you must mimic the leaders around you FACT: To succeed you must be authentic

6. Fact and Fiction #3 • FICTION:To succeed you must have a detailed plan and all the right credentials • FACT:To succeed you must be able to • envision to some degree what you want • remain open to possibilities • learn what you need to learn

7. Fact & Fiction #4 • FICTION: You must be a genius to succeed • FACT: To succeed you must be emotionally intelligent as well as smart

8. EQ: A Succinct Definiton • The ability to be intelligent about your emotions — to have self-knowledge, self-control, self-confidence • The ability to be intelligent about the emotions of others — to have empathy and understanding and know how to influence and manage others

9. Fact & Fiction #5 • FICTION: You must be aggressive to succeed • FACT: To succeed you must know how to communicate assertively — not aggressively or passive-aggressively

10. The Assertive Person • Projects confidence — is emotionally grounded • Has good body language • Demonstrates respect for self and others • Expresses thoughts and feelings in clear, concise, credible, confident, honest, and direct ways (Advocate) • Asks questions to enhance understanding (Inquire) • Uses active listening skills • Is persistent • Knows how to agree to disagree • Maintains clear boundaries — can say “no” • Operates from a win/win position

11. Fact & Fiction #6 • FICTION: If I work hard I will succeed • FACT: It’s not how hard you work that determines success; it’s how smart you work. You cannot succeed without building relationships.

12. How to Build Relationships • Think strategically & identify the right people • Move out of your comfort zone • Communicate your value and uniqueness • Demonstrate confidence & credibility • Focus on the other person • Listen actively • Ask open-ended questions • Get the other person’s card • Follow up with thanks • Help others and give referrals

13. The Integrated Leader