Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers

Why do some executives ascend to the top and prosper, having extraordinary careers, while others of equal talent never reach their potential or aspirations?

James M. Citrin and Richard A. Smith of Spencer Stuart, one of the world's most influential retained executive search firms, set out to explore this question. Based on in-depth original research, Citrin and Smith identified straightforward patterns evident in extraordinary careers Patterns of Extraordinary Careers: The Guide for Achieving Success and Satisfaction by Citrin and Smith provides strategic career advice based on these patterns that can be used by everyone who wants to build a rewarding and personally-satisfying career turns out that extraordinary careers follow a strikingly consistent trajectory, marked by five distinct patterns that distinguish the very top from the rest of the pack what are the five patterns of extraordinary careers? They are as follows:

Understand the Value of You: People with extraordinary careers understand how value is created in the workplace, and translate that knowledge into action, building their personal value over each phase of their careers.

Practice Benevolent Leadership: People with extraordinary careers do not claw their way to the top, they are carried there.

Overcome the Permission Paradox: People with extraordinary careers overcome one of the great Catch-22s of business: you can't get the job without experience and you can't get the experience without the job.

Differentiate using the 20/80 Principle of Performance: People with extraordinary careers do their defined jobs exceptionally well but don't stop there. They storm past predetermined objectives to create breakthrough ideas and deliver unexpected impact.

Find the Right Fit (Strengths, Passions and People): People with extraordinary careers make decisions with the long-term in mind. They willfully migrate toward positions that fit their natural strengths and passions and where they can work with people they like and respect.

Brian Anderson is the principal founder of BA Search Group an Executive search, coaching and consulting practice in the Naperville, Aurora, IL market.
http://www.basearchgroup.com/