Career Mastery

As I was getting ready to graduate post secondary school I was advised by school faculty that changing careers or jobs every one-to-two years was the new norm.  Long gone - from generations ago - are the days of finding a job, sticking with, and climbing the preverbal ladder until retirement. 

Job-hopping, or moving from one career ladder to another, seems to have developed into an accepted route for elevating one’s career.  Evidence of this can be seen through staying one-to-two years in a role then moving on, and usually not in the same company.

Granted there are valid reasons for moving on after short tenures, such as a lack of advancement opportunities, bad bosses, under par compensation, and toxic team members.  However, I highly doubt these reasons can be strung together to justify a comprehensive hopping-filled work history.  After all, wouldn’t you want to be vetting these things during the interview process?

In my humble opinion, job-hopping should not be considered the new career-path norm and to be followed verbatim.  Moreover, jumping from one career ladder to another is more likely the result of a lack of good leadership and/or working for a company that is not growing or dynamic. 

Undoubtedly, this practice of moving out to move up has done well for many people, however, I've taken a different approach: Career Mastery. 

The journey along the path towards career mastery has meant staying focused within my circle of influence while not getting caught up in the drama and minutia of my circle of concern.  Ultimately, I will control/change/affect what I can, and merely be aware of everything else and how it may affect me without letting it consume me.  With this approach I firmly believe the scope of things within my circle of influence will grow over time.

Challenge, not comfort.  When faced with a challenge, whether small or big, we all have a choice.  We can either face it or flee it and I choose the latter.  Facing a challenge means we have to deal with others and/or ourselves and address realities that either may not want to change.  But growth only comes from overcoming the odds and rising to the challenge.  I’ve battled through many tough situations in my career thus far, some people and some process related, and when given the choice I didn't run when it got tough.

Evolve.  For career mastery to work, the person you are today is not the person you need to be tomorrow, next year or at the end of your career.  The leader I was in a small company is radically different from the leader I am needed to be now.  Systems and processes had to change, in some cases people had to change, and I had to change in order to ensure I remained relevant and able to lead a growing team.  The most critical component to career mastery for leadership is developing the ability to grow more leaders as the business accelerates; then give away the power to those leaders.  My leadership mission: Serve…Align…Grow. 

Eyes open.  You never know when the next opportunity to advance closer to career mastery will present itself; these opportunities can come from anywhere.  Additionally, the more you are prepared for the next opportunity, the more likely the next opportunity will present itself.  Pick your opportunities carefully and fully vet them.

For me, the above has been fuelled by the power of a never-ending curiosity that drives me to always be reading and learning, networking, and getting involved with varied industry associations.

Career mastery needs to be facilitated by working for a company that is aligned with your own values and growth aspirations; career mastery isn’t going to happen at a company where status quo is the goal.  That said, good company or bad, we all have the choice to focus on mastery and make the best of what we have (leadership and positivity), or lament and complain (victimhood or negativity).  Which one of these do you think is a better choice for career mastery?

Success = Choice & Discipline.  The choice is yours.

Gratitiude

Daily journaling has been part of my life for four years.  This year, in each journal entry, I started adding something that I’m grateful for.  My intent was to ensure that in a life filled with an ever-increasing number of distractions that I don’t take things for granted – especially the important things.  My belief is that by focusing on positivity and gratitude that these things will become more abundant in my life.  Below, in no particular order, is the compilation of all the things from my 2016 journaling that I am grateful for.  I am truly happy I started this and I will continue the practice of gratitude indefinitely with my journaling.  If you haven’t done something like this, I recommend it.

I am grateful for…

Love.  Kylie.  Isabella.  Brielle.  Living in Canada and being Canadian.  A warm house on cold nights.  Hope.  Holidays and vacations.  Ideon Packaging.  Vitamins.  Sleep.  Sunrises.  Sunsets.  Campfires; for the peacefulness, smell and stories they can bring out. Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Not living in a war-torn country.  Nature.  RRSPs.  RESPs.  Tax-Free Savings Accounts.  Compound Interest.  Our beautiful new custom patio.  Grandparents who look after Bella and Brielle to give Kylie and I a date night.  Date nights.  Another day on this beautiful Earth.  Site, Sound, touch, smell, and taste (all of which I am thankfully in good standing).  Lots of hair.  The ability for my body to recover after a run and workout.  A nice bottle of wine.  A nice cigar (Romeo Y Juliet to be specific).  Statutory Holidays.  Going running for the first time with Bella.  Playing games and having fun with Bella and Brielle.  Getting fired from SMC Pneumatics.  The smell of a bouquet of flowers.  Not having to choose between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.  Dallas Cowboys finally having a season with promise.  Shuswap Lake.  Adam Hart and his Mind-Rest idea.  My daughters laugh.  Safe travels.  Rob Hunt.  The four seasons, equally.  Not being a tree.  Trees.  Books.  Eleven wonderful years (and counting) with Kylie.  The Halloween spirit that seemingly brings out the kid in all of us.  Seeing the expression of excitement on Brielle’s face as she opens her birthday gift: her first big-girl bike. Clear nights with the stars shining (Majestic!).  Another day, healthy.  Date nights.  Bella telling me that she was sad that we didn’t have more hangout time (done through tears). Gravity.  A nice glass of port.  Traditions.  Family time.  All my teachers – past, present and future – from both sides of the ledger.  My girls being so happy to see me when they get home from dance or when I pick them up at the end of the day.  The little things.  Relaxing with Kylie in front of the TV and fire after a long day.  Running.  A friendly smile from a stranger.  Finding my path.  The little voice in my head that tells me to keep going.  Fresh air.  Clean drinking water right out of the tap.  Reliable plumbing, heat and utilities in the house.  The Christmas spirit and the pure joy kids have at Christmas time.  Finding perfection in imperfection.  Customers.  Great suppliers.  Vitamins.  Advil.  Physiotherapy.  A great haircut.  Pain; it reminds me how lucky I have it when pain is not there.  The human body; its power to heal and recover is truly amazing.  Having a new house that doesn’t need repairs (yet…).  The person who inspired me to journal (sadly, I can’t remember who it was).  Hope.  Forgiveness.  Vacation Days.  Snow and the excitement it brings out of kids.  Networking and new connections.  Winter Tires.  The furnace.  Air conditioning.  Freedom.  Losing weight.  Rainy days.  Difference.  The light and the dark; a great metaphor for life.  Sleeping in once in a while.  Podcasts; a great way to learn on the go.  Memories.  Gifts and presents.  Failing; the best way to learn.  Firefighters, police officers and paramedics.  Family traditions.  Elf on a shelf.  Coffee.  Two healthy and beautiful daughters that I cherish more than anything in the world.  Tom and Rosa letting us stay in their house while we were between houses.  The abundance of food when the majority of the world’s population doesn’t have this.  The good health of myself, family and friends.  Having many great friends.  Trades people.  Good night hugs and kisses with Bella and Brielle.  Loving parents, willing to help us out whenever they’re asked.  Making enough money to afford the things our family needs, with the luxury of being able to afford the things we want while being fiscally responsible.  Having the family cabin to use a vacation spot any time.  A fine dining meal.  Seeing a need for change and making it happen.  Choice and discipline.  March 31st and finally having a new house of our own.  Living in a free country.  My connections and relationships, both personally and professionally.  To be blessed with the opportunity to share my life and raise our children with the most amazing, beautiful and loving woman in the world.  Dentists.  Positive relationships.  Being able to vote in a democratic society.  Playing in the snow.  Being athletically inclined and able enough to enjoy most sports.  My mission/purpose statement and knowing my core values.  Animals.  How well Kylie and I have done on the properties we’ve owned, allowing us to step up each time.  Capitalism.  My promotion to VP of Operations.  Finding the woman of my dreams at a younger age, to allow us more life together and have two amazing daughters.  Tropical destinations.  Parents stressing the importance of retirement planning.  Parents who are truly living their retirement.  Reflection, perspective, feedback, and coaching.  Sunny days.  Golfing season and “The Belt”.  The ability to choose my environment.  Fresh air.  Teamwork.  Bedtime cuddles with Bella and Brielle.  Birthdays.  Giving to the less fortunate.  Music.  Artistic expression.  Listening to Bella and Brielle laugh.  The Canadian healthcare system.  Exercise. The quiet neighbourhood we live in.  Competition.  Having a comfortable bed to sleep in.  The stars in the sky.  My kids enjoying playing together.  Privacy when I want it.  Green grass.  Singing birds.  Bees.  Warm weather.  Hanging out in the backyard with friends.  Peace.  Conflict with resolution.  Family dinners together.  Weekend homemade breakfasts (waffles, pancakes, French Toast, etc.).  Board and card games.  A good stretch.  Poetry.  Everyone who fights for our freedom; past, present and future.  Doctors.  An amazing view.  And the list goes on.

This is NOT a New Years Resolution!

As the year comes to an end, the topic of New Years resolutions begins to fill popular media, news broadcasts and general conversations.

The more I have reflected on the purpose and value of News Years resolutions, the more I realize they are not for me.  Instead, I choose to make decisions for how I want to live my life; building on the foundation that I have been laying for the last few years.

I will not have a laundry list of things I'm hoping to achieve, too many focuses creates a lack of focus.  I will not create lofty goals that are extremely challenging to achieve and as a result will fade away 30, 60 or 90 days into the New Year.

Rather, I will have about a half-dozen things I know I can accomplish and build into my life; not for 2016, but forever.  To support my focus I will create a scorecard, grade myself regularly, reflect on my results and change the set of my sail if needed.  It's up to me.

So.  Starting today, I declare that I choose to...

... No longer post, share, like, blog, write or talk in ideals.  For a few years now I have been on a path of Choice and Discipline, doing the things I feel I need to do (based on many readings) to get to the top in all aspects of my life and be a game changer.  Yet despite this focus I still find myself caught up in the popularity of quotes, 6 steps to ____, and sharing my opinion.  No more.  Starting now, I will simply be.  My results will speak for themselves.  Next stop, 10000 hours.

... Eliminate neglect.  Enough said.

... Devote my time in alignment with my personal mission statement, the current version of which I wrote in 2012 after the birth of my second daughter.  Challenge instead of comfort.  Books instead of TV.  Family time instead of screen time.  Exercise instead of lethargy.  Value instead of cost.  Discipline instead of regret.  Now instead of later.  Action instead of excuses.

... Surround myself with positive.  Life it too short to allow negativity to have any room in my life.

... Never stop acquiring new knowledge.  I will learn from a new book, a new song on the guitar, talking to Leo (Spanish - Gracias, Leo), another TED Talk, today's Darren Daily, Kaizen, time with family & friends, asking why, Seth Godin's blog posts, journaling, and so much more.  LIFE NEVER STOPS TEACHING, SO I WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING.

This is NOT a resolution.  This is my choice and discipline.

FITT Facts: Take the Waste Out of Lean

Take the waste out of Lean???  What!  Did I just say that???

Before all the Lean professionals out there get all worked up, allow me to explain myself.  If I ask you what jidoka is, can you give me the answer?  How about poka yoke?  Can you give me the definition/translation of heijunka?  Okay, let’s try an easy one with genchi genbutsu…  Unless you’ve been studying lean or are a certified lean professional you won’t have any idea what I’m talking about.

Here lies the waste in Lean, technically we’re over-processing by making something more complicated than it needs to be.  These terms can prove to be a barrier of entry for newbies to the Lean world and can make learning about Lean harder, not to mention make the learning process longer.  Not only do you have to learn about Lean methodologies, values and principles but you also need to learn Japanese.

Think about the last time you used assembly instructions to put something together…  What if some of the critical words in the instructions were in a different language?  Wouldn’t that make understanding the instructions harder than it needed to be? 

It's a little bit ironic, don't you think...  Lean teaches us to simplify processes, cut out waste and make things flow.  Lean teaches us to use simple SOPs with minimal words to make training and learning easy for anyone.  But then as you're trying to keep it simple you're hit with Hoshin Kanri, which is not an easy concept to learn even if I gave you the definition.

What if, in the beginnings of Lean teachings, instead of using the Japanese words we simplify everything by using the translation/definition only?  Then, once the understanding of Lean grows, we can start to introduce the Japanese words.

Instead of jidoka, say automation that detects defects.

Instead of poka yoke, say error-proofing.

Instead of heijunka, say load levelling.

Instead of genchi genbutsu, say go and see.

Originally I used all the Japanese words in my lean training but have since smartened up.  I have now tailored my own training around this concept of keeping it simple (in the beginning) and had great results with people no longer having to remember what that “pokie yokie” thing was. 

Be FITT!

FITT Facts: Waste #7

Waste #7 – Defects

Defects are obvious and the waste most likely to make it to your end customer.  This is the form of waste that always gets the most attention because you don’t have to be a trained lean person to see them.  Defects won’t just slow you down like the other forms of waste, defects will cause you to do work over again and thus create the potential of producing all other forms of waste.

A defect is defined as any errors, rework, scrap or missing information that negatively effects the product or service you are providing to a customer.  Remember, customers can be internal and external, so that missing piece of information on the form you handed to the next stakeholder in a process is also a defect. 

Defect Waste Examples	What to do about it…
Missing field or information on a form.	If the form is electronic, make fields mandatory.
Forgetting to follow up with someone or to complete a task.	I highly recommend keeping to to-do list and a way for keeping track of all the little things that pop up.  Use a phone, tablet or an old fashioned notebook to keep tabs on you goals, priorities and tasks.
Not putting a tool/item back in its home.	Make sure the item’s home is properly labelled.  Were all the stakeholders who use that item/tool trained on proper home locations and use?  Process owners are a great tool to ensure areas/tool boards stay within standard.
Manufacturing out of specification.	Immediately get to the root cause and put countermeasures in place.  These defects often point back to lack of training or missing information/supplies, but the “I was rushed” response is also common.  Establish a DIRTFT (do it right the first time) mentality throughout the company.

Unlike the other forms of waste, you can’t sweep defects under the rug.  Defects are out there for everyone to see and they can cost you a lot of bottom line dollars. 

Develop the “STOP” mentality in all processes so that as soon as defects are produced you stop and get to the root cause, then immediately put solutions or countermeasures in place.

Be FITT!

FITT Facts: Waste #6

Waste #6 – Over Processing

Have you ever tried to crack open a walnut with a sledgehammer?  How about carve a turkey with a chainsaw?  If you do these things, as silly as they sound, you will get the result you’re looking for (opening the nut or carving the turkey) but you won’t achieve a quality product and will generate a lot of waste in the process. 

Over processing is defined as using ineffective processes, systems, tools or procedures to achieve a quality product or service.  Try to think about any areas where you’re putting too much effort into completing a task or process.

Over Processing Examples	What to do about it…
Using a wrench to tighten bolts and fasten tooling.	Next best practice would be to use a ratchet, even better would be to use an air ratchet/gun, and the ultimate is to use a quick connect.
Having a back and forth e-mail conversation.	Pick up the phone.  Better yet, if that person is in your office then go talk to them.
Creating long and/or arduous forms (maybe in triplicate…)	Simplify the form.  Ask why the form and its parts are needed.  Was it created due to an exception?  Processes should be designed to handle the normal scenario (as waste-free a possible) and people should be allowed/trained handle the exceptions.  Processes that are created to deal with exceptions end up creating a lot of red tape.

When your inner lean champion says something like “there’s got to be a better/easier way…” Listen.

Be FITT!