Career Management

This article shares frequently asked questions and answers from Coach George Mui on assorted topics during his presentation on the Art of Closing a Deal on Career Management. 

Each series will have five such segments. Use the comment field to offer your thoughts or additional questions on the same topics:

1. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH – What ideas do you want students to consider as they grow professionally in any field?

The technical aspects of the job are usually the focus of most young professionals. That will come naturally as you will have to perform your job. I recommend to students (especially science and engineering students) to acquire professional development skills as early as possible – effective communication skills, teamwork skills and networking skills to develop into a well-rounded professional. The folks who have aspiration for management should consider taking continuing education class to learn to be a management of people and leadership skills.

2. NETWORKING – What advice have you given in the past that you have seen implemented?

I often advice successful executives to think beyond their local environment. The bigfish in a little pond often get a false sense of greatness. As an example, I have taken “recognized community leaders” to Washington DC where they found that their “greatness” and “reputation” are not known. This is humbling but eye-opening at the same times. The ones that embrace this concept are now national leaders… For those who are “Big Fish” in Washington DC, I usually challenge them to go global.

3. NEW PROFESSIONALS – What are the shared challenges you seen new professionals experience early in their career?

New professionals often are too busy trying to fit it and often forgot what they bring to the table. Establishing you own identity and brand while you are new is particularly important. This also true when even more experienced professionals enter an unfamiliar environment – just being one of the guys will not bold well for career advancement. The other side of it is someone who try to make a name for themselves too soon. Such is what I call the Art of Career management. 

4. DEALING WITH CAREER CHALLENGES – What are the challenging times during your career? How were you able to keep moving forward? Is moving backwards sometimes needed for you to maintain mental health?

Always been able to maintain a positive mindset. I fool myself on what I called “Mimetic” – it will allow to overcome all obstacles. If you believe it, it will happen. My current at ATT-Bell Labs moving from engineers to managing a $400 million business was well-planned and implemented.

Everything else is the result of dealing with a challenge and adapting to the environment. For example:

• Laid off from a small software engineering firm but find my way into ATT-Bell Lab and had a wonder career.
• Received an early retirement package by ATT Bell Labs/Lucent after almost 20 years due to the economy and started my International Consulting business.
• Encountered SARS during critical phrase of my international consulting business. Restriction on international travels for 9 months was not helpful for international business development.
• Transferred to Washington DC from Chicago at U.S. Department of Commerce. I had to enter a brave new world. 
• Encountered COVID-19 during the start-up of New International Consulting group.

5. COMMON TRAITS – When you have met individuals with high potential, what are the personality traits you commonly see in these folks?

I often offer free advice and free coaching to individuals with high potential. The most common trait is their desire to help other people first not themselves. Instead of asking for free advice, such as career advancement or customer acquisition they offer their support for my advocacy projects. I return a favor and help them with their challenges and offer suggestions as appropriate.

Reference:
https://myt.coach/art-of-closing-the-deal-a-new-perspective-on-career-management/