Mind you, I'm not christian whatsoever... but this does makes me think.
What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?
This radical Christian's ministry for the poor, The Simple Way, has gotten him in some trouble with his fellow Evangelicals. We asked him to address those who don't believe.
By Shane Claiborne
The Simple Way
To all my nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends: I feel like I should begin with a confession. I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians. Christians who have had so much to say with our mouths and so little to show with our lives. I am sorry that so often we have forgotten the Christ of our Christianity.
Forgive us. Forgive us for the embarrassing things we have done in the name of God.
The other night I headed into downtown Philly for a stroll with some friends from out of town. We walked down to Penn's Landing along the river, where there are street performers, artists, musicians. We passed a great magician who did some pretty sweet tricks like pour change out of his iPhone, and then there was a preacher. He wasn't quite as captivating as the magician. He stood on a box, yelling into a microphone, and beside him was a coffin with a fake dead body inside. He talked about how we are all going to die and go to hell if we don't know Jesus.
Some folks snickered. Some told him to shut the hell up. A couple of teenagers tried to steal the dead body in the coffin. All I could do was think to myself, I want to jump up on a box beside him and yell at the top of my lungs, "God is not a monster." Maybe next time I will.
The more I have read the Bible and studied the life of Jesus, the more I have become convinced that Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination. But over the past few decades our Christianity, at least here in the United States, has become less and less fascinating. We have given the atheists less and less to disbelieve. And the sort of Christianity many of us have seen on TV and heard on the radio looks less and less like Jesus.
At one point Gandhi was asked if he was a Christian, and he said, essentially, "I sure love Jesus, but the Christians seem so unlike their Christ." A recent study showed that the top three perceptions of Christians in the U. S. among young non-Christians are that Christians are 1) antigay, 2) judgmental, and 3) hypocritical. So what we have here is a bit of an image crisis, and much of that reputation is well deserved. That's the ugly stuff. And that's why I begin by saying that I'm sorry.
Now for the good news.
I want to invite you to consider that maybe the televangelists and street preachers are wrong — and that God really is love. Maybe the fruits of the Spirit really are beautiful things like peace, patience, kindness, joy, love, goodness, and not the ugly things that have come to characterize religion, or politics, for that matter. (If there is anything I have learned from liberals and conservatives, it's that you can have great answers and still be mean... and that just as important as being right is being nice.)
The Bible that I read says that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it... it was because "God so loved the world." That is the God I know, and I long for others to know. I did not choose to devote my life to Jesus because I was scared to death of hell or because I wanted crowns in heaven... but because he is good. For those of you who are on a sincere spiritual journey, I hope that you do not reject Christ because of Christians. We have always been a messed-up bunch, and somehow God has survived the embarrassing things we do in His name. At the core of our "Gospel" is the message that Jesus came "not [for] the healthy... but the sick." And if you choose Jesus, may it not be simply because of a fear of hell or hope for mansions in heaven.
Don't get me wrong, I still believe in the afterlife, but too often all the church has done is promise the world that there is life after death and use it as a ticket to ignore the hells around us. I am convinced that the Christian Gospel has as much to do with this life as the next, and that the message of that Gospel is not just about going up when we die but about bringing God's Kingdom down. It was Jesus who taught us to pray that God's will be done "on earth as it is in heaven." On earth.
One of Jesus' most scandalous stories is the story of the Good Samaritan. As sentimental as we may have made it, the original story was about a man who gets beat up and left on the side of the road. A priest passes by. A Levite, the quintessential religious guy, also passes by on the other side (perhaps late for a meeting at church). And then comes the Samaritan... you can almost imagine a snicker in the Jewish crowd. Jews did not talk to Samaritans, or even walk through Samaria. But the Samaritan stops and takes care of the guy in the ditch and is lifted up as the hero of the story. I'm sure some of the listeners were ticked. According to the religious elite, Samaritans did not keep the right rules, and they did not have sound doctrine... but Jesus shows that true faith has to work itself out in a way that is Good News to the most bruised and broken person lying in the ditch.
It is so simple, but the pious forget this lesson constantly. God may indeed be evident in a priest, but God is just as likely to be at work through a Samaritan or a prostitute. In fact the Scripture is brimful of God using folks like a lying prostitute named Rahab, an adulterous king named David... at one point God even speaks to a guy named Balaam through his donkey. Some say God spoke to Balaam through his ass and has been speaking through asses ever since. So if God should choose to use us, then we should be grateful but not think too highly of ourselves. And if upon meeting someone we think God could never use, we should think again.
After all, Jesus says to the religious elite who looked down on everybody else: "The tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom ahead of you." And we wonder what got him killed?
I have a friend in the UK who talks about "dirty theology" — that we have a God who is always using dirt to bring life and healing and redemption, a God who shows up in the most unlikely and scandalous ways. After all, the whole story begins with God reaching down from heaven, picking up some dirt, and breathing life into it. At one point, Jesus takes some mud, spits in it, and wipes it on a blind man's eyes to heal him. (The priests and producers of anointing oil were not happy that day.)
In fact, the entire story of Jesus is about a God who did not just want to stay "out there" but who moves into the neighborhood, a neighborhood where folks said, "Nothing good could come." It is this Jesus who was accused of being a glutton and drunkard and rabble-rouser for hanging out with all of society's rejects, and who died on the imperial cross of Rome reserved for bandits and failed messiahs. This is why the triumph over the cross was a triumph over everything ugly we do to ourselves and to others. It is the final promise that love wins.
It is this Jesus who was born in a stank manger in the middle of a genocide. That is the God that we are just as likely to find in the streets as in the sanctuary, who can redeem revolutionaries and tax collectors, the oppressed and the oppressors... a God who is saving some of us from the ghettos of poverty, and some of us from the ghettos of wealth.
In closing, to those who have closed the door on religion — I was recently asked by a non-Christian friend if I thought he was going to hell. I said, "I hope not. It will be hard to enjoy heaven without you." If those of us who believe in God do not believe God's grace is big enough to save the whole world... well, we should at least pray that it is.
Your brother,
Shane
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Dealing with 10 Coworker Personality conficts and Change Career
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Dealing With 10 Coworker Personality Conflicts
by Marv Dumon (Contact Author Biography)
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In an ideal world, you get to work in a palatial, heavenly setting while you pursue your professional dreams of being CFO, controller, investment banking managing director, or private equity partner. Saint Peter (better known as human resources) lets you pass through the pearly gates with ease during interviews and you can treasure your professional lifestyle living in the clouds. You are constantly fed fresh grapes and berries as you sit on your golden rocking chair contemplating whether to give the green light on multimillion dollar projects.
In reality, your workplace is one place where people can be nasty, difficult, dysfunctional and downright brutish - and you still have to deal with them in a calm and professional manner. If this sounds like something you are dealing with - and quitting isn't an option - we'll help you get through these 10 common coworker dysfunctions to help you bring a little bit of heaven back down to earth.1. ArroganceArrogance is the byproduct of unhealthy levels of pride and ego. In technical fields such as finance and accounting, it is imperative that professionals continuously learn new things and increase their knowledge and wisdom base. Finance professionals also need to get along with a wide audience within the company, because they collect data and reports from a diverse set of groups within the company. Warning signs of arrogance include:
The tendency to waste people's time by pontificating
Looking for criteria other than business performance as a measuring device with peers (such as tenure, academic pedigree and prestige of career titles)
Habitually putting people down in order to artificially prop oneself up
Blatant disregard for the feelings of others, showing lack of maturity and emotional intelligence
Foul language, short sightedness and lack of tact If you are arrogant, this puts a mental and psychological block on your mind that prevents you from learning important new data. After all, you already think so highly of yourself, why should you need to improve? How do you know that you have too much ego? Your level of confidence should be in proportion to the amount of preparation that you have put in. Dealing with arrogant people takes a lot of patience, and a great deal of self-control. Learning to identify the people who have this trait and avoiding them as much as possible will protect your own reputation, whereas confronting the arrogant person may only make you look worse.2. Extreme "One-Upmanship" and PosturingWhen there is a nasty corporate culture of one-upmanship, colleagues are constantly trying to cut each other down, like a roving lawnmower slicing up blades of grass. Reveal a few things in your personal life, and it may be used against you by way of biting remarks. Engage in petty small talk and you might be looked down upon as the unfocused bimbo of the bunch.In the finance department, you'll see plenty of qualified people, and that alone can create an unusually competitive atmosphere, especially if there are low levels of trust and teamwork. How do you know there are unhealthy levels of posturing within your group? Disdain between coworkers, fakeness between peers, constant back stabbings (such as people taking credit for others' work) and petty posturing during meetings are signs of this common office dysfunction. People exaggerate their accomplishments, pad their resumes and pretend to have a frantic pace (when moving around the office) in a pathetic attempt to portray themselves as busy "rising stars" to the CFO. You have two choices: get the heck out of there or, just as nobly, focus on over-delivering. Because, as the saying goes, "Strive to be great, but remember to be good." At the end of the day, business results and performance are the only real sources of credibility. (Competition is huge in finance, which is what leads to some of these less-than-favorable character traits. Read Top 4 Most Competitive Financial Careers to learn which jobs could be the worst for this.)3. Irritability and Unnecessary Short FusesIn finance, there is a need for constant exchanges of accurate, relevant and timely operational, financial and accounting information. Unnecessarily short fuses reduce or prevent this flow of information. Irritability is a barrier to people doing their jobs. When people blow up or dish out nasty stares, coworkers and peers soon hesitate to raise important questions or request clarifications. When this happens, the quality of financial reporting suffers due to incomplete or inaccurate data.If someone does something bad to you (i.e., cuts you down at a meeting, or spreads unfair rumors about you in an attempt to torpedo your career), take it up with that particular person first. Do not take it out on everyone else by lashing out at people who need information from you. When principles are not at stake, be a pleasure to work with.Finally, in some finance settings, there is a highly delusional misconception that if you project yourself as a macho creature, then others will regard you as an important person or a high-caliber individual. However, without these observers seeing impressive, credible and sustained results out of you, you merely have the "idiot" label stamped in bold, red letters on your forehead.4. Fakeness: Inauthentic Relationships and Hidden MotivesBeing authentic is an important underpinning of effective leadership. People want to know that you say what you mean, and you mean what you say. Finance will have many accomplished people working under its banner, and some of them will not be entirely genuine. A department with low levels of trust resembles a royal court filled with scheming sycophants, not a professionalized outfit with dedicated finance and accounting staff. In the real world, certain people will always have hidden agendas and motivations. While good friendships will help the workplace setting be more enjoyable, the wise professional will have to be discerning in choosing who his or her friends are. As George Washington said, "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."5. ProcrastinationProcrastination is a symptom of overconfidence, apathy or lack of focus. Smart people with a solid track record at school and at prior work experiences may come to believe that they can "always step things up" at the right time and can afford slacking off here and there. However, complacency lowers your personal productivity and the productivity of your team. If you work in finance or accounting, people depend on you to provide accurate information in an efficient manner so that they can process their own work. A single bottleneck has the ability to shut multiple people's workflows down. Workers who have grown apathetic at their jobs, or who have lost focus (i.e., their personal life is interfering with their ability to execute at work) also tend to procrastinate. Some have found their particular job to be dull, and procrastination becomes the thrill-seeker's way of getting a rush out of attempting to finish a work project in highly condensed time frames. Quality of work is the first casualty, and the procrastinator's job quickly becomes the second. (Procrastination is one of the quickest paths out the door of a good firm. Read Making The Most Out Of Your Day, for some good time-management techniques that can help keep you on track.)6. Whimsical SpendingFinance and accounting professionals work with numbers most of the time - high dollar amounts that represent hard cash, securities, or illiquid assets on a balance sheet. Dealing with money all day makes some in this line of work think that they have a lot of money. Most of the professional's waking hours are spent on left-brained processes and rational thinking, and many finance professionals turn off the switch to reason, logic and prudence when they leave the office for the day. By night, you see their transformation into the spendthrift werewolf, howling at overly expensive sports cars (above their pay grade), or worse, at "models and bottles".The competitive atmosphere in finance can spill over outside of work, where coworkers compete to have the latest sports car, expensive watches, lavish travels and lush apartments. Finance professionals also want to uphold a certain "image of success" that their pay grade cannot afford, which is sometimes referred to as "drinking champagne on a beer budget".Wasteful spending among finance professionals only makes the workplace even more unnecessarily competitive; you have high income earners who are constantly broke, fighting for every scrap and crumb of bonus in the bonus pool. If you can exhibit the control you use to advise your clients, some of this "he who dies with the most toys wins" attitude will die down at the office, and your bank account will only grow. (Some of the largest paychecks can be earned by managing hedge funds. Read 10 Steps To A Career In Hedge Funds to learn how to secure a position in this challenging field.)7. SabotageThe saboteur of the group takes competitiveness to a truly dysfunctional level. There can be various motivations for sabotaging a team's or department's efforts. For example, the saboteur may want to see others fail, and thereby increase his or her relative standing (and compensation) within the group. Saboteurs may also strike in order to protect their own jobs. They will do harm to documents and databases in order to create more work for themselves, which they hope insulates them from being fired or laid off. Or, they may harbor a secret disdain toward their boss, peers, or company, as they may have been passed over for promotion, bonuses, or an attractive transfer.Whatever the reason, saboteurs tend to be highly selfish individuals. There isn't much you can do to protect yourself from these saboteurs except to keep on top of your work and to be conscious of these people. The selfish trait is picked up by good managers, and saboteurs are often passed for promotions because more focused peers are concentrating on how they can continually increase their contributions to the company. In the end, the saboteur only hurts himself.8. Turning Green With EnvyThe basis for a fulfilling and rewarding career is the opportunity to do your best to serve others in the line of work that is right for you. This is often found in a profession that you enjoy. In finance and accounting, there is a tendency to covet another person's position simply because of title, salary, or added responsibility. Often, the person coveting the role only has a minimal understanding of the significantly greater burden or skill sets needed to properly execute the duties of the coveted role. The one who covets tends to only look at the benefits, such as higher salary. However, professionals who find fulfillment with their line of work take ownership of their careers, and are team players. They know that no single person can run an entire department or organization. Professionals who covet someone else's job or title are more likely to be unhappy at work. If you work with a green-eyed wonder, don't fret. There are many ways to encourage this downer individual by offering praise or complimenting their current work, responsibilities and position. If you're this person, then take a moment to enjoy the fact that you have less responsibility and are therefore free to enjoy your weekends without bringing the stress of work home.9. Unhealthy Levels of Cynicism Finance and accounting professionals have to exercise a healthy level of "professional skepticism" in their line of work. The numbers these professionals deal with every day can be inaccurate, incomplete or irrelevant. The tendency to question data points can be a boon to your job description, but can snowball into a habit of unnecessarily questioning everything. Unhealthy levels of cynicism can lead to others being turned off during social interactions, afraid of the stream of negativity flowing out of the cynic's mouth. Others will develop a mental and psychological barrier with the cynic, preventing effective communication in the workplace.10. Killer Health HabitsThe job of the busy finance professional is to successfully juggle both short-term and long-term commitments. With a busy schedule, it is easy to fall into the trap of having unhealthy habits such as no exercise, lack of sleep and bad diet. Pressing priorities lead many professionals to "mortgage" their future health, and become complacent in this important area. And once one coworker starts sliding on this slippery slope, the rest can follow suit. Any individual who is encouraging an unhealthy lifestyle (both at work and in their off-time) will soon reflect the results of those unhealthy choices. Poor health, poor attitude and lack of attention are just a few of the effects of living with killer health habits. Maintaining a good fitness routine, healthy diet and sufficient amounts of sleep is absolutely critical for long-term success and a good quality of life.Parting ThoughtsThe good news is that although there may be many dysfunctional coworkers in your workplace or, worse yet, you've identified a few of these evils in your own workplace persona, we all possess free will. So, you can either chose to remove yourself from your workplace situation, or to stay and become a leader by setting a good example to others. The latter is probably the better choice, albeit the harder one. Small steps in this area result in giant leaps toward healthier work environments.Is the job you're in right now too much for you to handle? Read Six Steps To Successfully Switching Financial Careers to find the right career path for your needs.
by Marv Dumon, (Contact Author Biography)Marv Dumon serves as a mergers and acquisitions advisor for a middle-market financial services firm specializing in industrial and energy companies. He maintains established relationships with more than 500 mid-market private equity firms. He also serves as a national business and finance columnist for Examiner.com. Dumon's background includes experience in consulting, finance and operations with several organizations including two S&P 500 companies. He received a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Six Steps To Successfully Switching Financial Careers
by Glenn Curtis (Contact Author Biography)
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Breaking into the securities industry is incredibly difficult. Success takes years of study and work, followed by a few more years of "paying your dues". So, what happens if you finally reach the pinnacle, only to realize you've been climbing the wrong mountain?
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Financial professionals who aren't happy in their chosen field are not doomed to start at the bottom - unless of course they want to try their hand at surgery, then the bottom might be a good place to start. If you're a trader, analyst, broker or compliance officer looking to shift into another financial field, the good news is that with a little patience and hard work it is possible. In this article we'll explore the six steps you should take to make sure your career transition is a smooth one. (To learn more, see Career Shift: Get In The Driver's Seat.)Step 1: Swallow Your PrideIt's important to know right from the start that when you pursue a new career path, you'll likely have to take a cut in pay, and in title, in order to make the jump. For example, it's unrealistic for a seasoned trader to become a new stockbroker and expect to match his or her previous salary right off the bat. It takes a tremendous amount of time and patience to build up a client base and assets.As you'll come to learn, a successful career switch will require a lot of work and a lot of preparation. Don't expect to dive right in. (For more on the various professional fields, see Preparing For A Career As A Broker Or Trader, Becoming A Financial Analyst and Get A Job In Compliance.)Step 2: Hone Your Skills Before You Make the JumpYou will probably need or want to go back to school to learn about your new career path before you actually pursue it. For example, a person might go back to school to study personal finance or economics if he or she wants to become a financial advisor, or take an options trading classes to become a trader.In addition to schooling, you should also be prepared to study and sit for certain securities exams such as the Series 7 (for those looking to become a registered representative), the Series 55 (to become an equities trader) or the Series 87 (to become a research analyst). This obviously could take a significant amount of time and energy, so take some time to weigh this decision before you start saying your farewells to your boss and coworkers.Finally, when you start a new job, you may also be asked to "shadow" a more senior employee for a period of time to learn all of the idiosyncrasies that go along with the job. The time you'll have to spend job shadowing should also be factored into your decision. Step 3: Be Honest With Your Current BossOnce you know that you want to change careers you should talk to your boss about the decision. Your current boss probably won't be thrilled - especially if you are a top-producing broker - but, if you are upfront and honest about your reason for wanting a change, the odds are good your boss will understand.What's the best way to break the news?Just go for it. Don't beat around the bush. Explain why you want to make the switch, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Your boss might be able to help guide you into a new career and might have contacts to help you on your way. (For more interpersonal tips, see Deal Effectively With Difficult Clients.)Step 4: Find a MentorPrior to making any switch in positions you should try to find a mentor or someone who will be on your side, and will show you the ropes in the new job. Preferably, this should be someone with seniority. It will make the switch much easier.How do you find a mentor?Before actually making the big switch, try to network with other members of the target department at company or industry-related functions. Another possibility is tapping friends or acquaintances in that job beforehand to ask them about their experiences. Once you build up a rapport with someone you like and respect, you can ask if he or she would be willing to take you on as a protégé. You'd be surprised how willing most people are to help. But unless you ask, you'll never find out! (To learn more about the value of networking, read Trying On Potential Employers and The Benefits Of Joining A Professional Association.)Step 5: Don't Sell Yourself ShortIt was mentioned earlier that you should be prepared for a pay cut. This is true; however, switching jobs doesn't mean you should accept a rookie salary.During salary negotiations, be sure to emphasize your existing skill set and your educational and professional experience in the industry. Your previous position gave you knowledge and skills that the average new recruit has no chance of matching. Use this to your advantage to get the job you want. You can also use it to negotiate a slightly more favorable pay package. (For more tips on getting the job and salary you want, check out Taking The Lead In The Interview Dance and Negotiating For Employment Perks.)Step 6: Clear Your scheduleOnce you make the switch, you'll have to be ready for hard work. Anyone looking to transition into a new career should be prepared to come in early each morning and to leave late as he or she becomes proficient in the new job.Before starting the new position, try to complete any personal chores or tasks that you had planned such as fixing up the basement or putting a new roof on the house. After all, you will need as few distractions and stresses as possible.Bottom LineMaking a career shift within the securities industry is possible if you plan ahead and are willing to work hard. Your previous knowledge and experience can give you a boost, turning a treacherous mountain climb into a leisurely hike. If you are feeling trapped in your financial career, learn about your options in Finding Your Place In The FInancial Industry.
by Glenn Curtis, (Contact Author Biography)Glenn Curtis started his career as an equity analyst at Cantone Research, a New Jersey-based regional brokerage firm. He has since worked as an equity analyst and a financial writer at a number of print/web publications and brokerage firms including Registered Representative Magazine, Advanced Trading Magazine, Worldlyinvestor.com, RealMoney.com, TheStreet.com and Prudential Securities. Curtis has also held Series 6,7,24 and 63 securities licenses.
Dealing With 10 Coworker Personality Conflicts
by Marv Dumon (Contact Author Biography)
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In an ideal world, you get to work in a palatial, heavenly setting while you pursue your professional dreams of being CFO, controller, investment banking managing director, or private equity partner. Saint Peter (better known as human resources) lets you pass through the pearly gates with ease during interviews and you can treasure your professional lifestyle living in the clouds. You are constantly fed fresh grapes and berries as you sit on your golden rocking chair contemplating whether to give the green light on multimillion dollar projects.
In reality, your workplace is one place where people can be nasty, difficult, dysfunctional and downright brutish - and you still have to deal with them in a calm and professional manner. If this sounds like something you are dealing with - and quitting isn't an option - we'll help you get through these 10 common coworker dysfunctions to help you bring a little bit of heaven back down to earth.1. ArroganceArrogance is the byproduct of unhealthy levels of pride and ego. In technical fields such as finance and accounting, it is imperative that professionals continuously learn new things and increase their knowledge and wisdom base. Finance professionals also need to get along with a wide audience within the company, because they collect data and reports from a diverse set of groups within the company. Warning signs of arrogance include:
The tendency to waste people's time by pontificating
Looking for criteria other than business performance as a measuring device with peers (such as tenure, academic pedigree and prestige of career titles)
Habitually putting people down in order to artificially prop oneself up
Blatant disregard for the feelings of others, showing lack of maturity and emotional intelligence
Foul language, short sightedness and lack of tact If you are arrogant, this puts a mental and psychological block on your mind that prevents you from learning important new data. After all, you already think so highly of yourself, why should you need to improve? How do you know that you have too much ego? Your level of confidence should be in proportion to the amount of preparation that you have put in. Dealing with arrogant people takes a lot of patience, and a great deal of self-control. Learning to identify the people who have this trait and avoiding them as much as possible will protect your own reputation, whereas confronting the arrogant person may only make you look worse.2. Extreme "One-Upmanship" and PosturingWhen there is a nasty corporate culture of one-upmanship, colleagues are constantly trying to cut each other down, like a roving lawnmower slicing up blades of grass. Reveal a few things in your personal life, and it may be used against you by way of biting remarks. Engage in petty small talk and you might be looked down upon as the unfocused bimbo of the bunch.In the finance department, you'll see plenty of qualified people, and that alone can create an unusually competitive atmosphere, especially if there are low levels of trust and teamwork. How do you know there are unhealthy levels of posturing within your group? Disdain between coworkers, fakeness between peers, constant back stabbings (such as people taking credit for others' work) and petty posturing during meetings are signs of this common office dysfunction. People exaggerate their accomplishments, pad their resumes and pretend to have a frantic pace (when moving around the office) in a pathetic attempt to portray themselves as busy "rising stars" to the CFO. You have two choices: get the heck out of there or, just as nobly, focus on over-delivering. Because, as the saying goes, "Strive to be great, but remember to be good." At the end of the day, business results and performance are the only real sources of credibility. (Competition is huge in finance, which is what leads to some of these less-than-favorable character traits. Read Top 4 Most Competitive Financial Careers to learn which jobs could be the worst for this.)3. Irritability and Unnecessary Short FusesIn finance, there is a need for constant exchanges of accurate, relevant and timely operational, financial and accounting information. Unnecessarily short fuses reduce or prevent this flow of information. Irritability is a barrier to people doing their jobs. When people blow up or dish out nasty stares, coworkers and peers soon hesitate to raise important questions or request clarifications. When this happens, the quality of financial reporting suffers due to incomplete or inaccurate data.If someone does something bad to you (i.e., cuts you down at a meeting, or spreads unfair rumors about you in an attempt to torpedo your career), take it up with that particular person first. Do not take it out on everyone else by lashing out at people who need information from you. When principles are not at stake, be a pleasure to work with.Finally, in some finance settings, there is a highly delusional misconception that if you project yourself as a macho creature, then others will regard you as an important person or a high-caliber individual. However, without these observers seeing impressive, credible and sustained results out of you, you merely have the "idiot" label stamped in bold, red letters on your forehead.4. Fakeness: Inauthentic Relationships and Hidden MotivesBeing authentic is an important underpinning of effective leadership. People want to know that you say what you mean, and you mean what you say. Finance will have many accomplished people working under its banner, and some of them will not be entirely genuine. A department with low levels of trust resembles a royal court filled with scheming sycophants, not a professionalized outfit with dedicated finance and accounting staff. In the real world, certain people will always have hidden agendas and motivations. While good friendships will help the workplace setting be more enjoyable, the wise professional will have to be discerning in choosing who his or her friends are. As George Washington said, "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."5. ProcrastinationProcrastination is a symptom of overconfidence, apathy or lack of focus. Smart people with a solid track record at school and at prior work experiences may come to believe that they can "always step things up" at the right time and can afford slacking off here and there. However, complacency lowers your personal productivity and the productivity of your team. If you work in finance or accounting, people depend on you to provide accurate information in an efficient manner so that they can process their own work. A single bottleneck has the ability to shut multiple people's workflows down. Workers who have grown apathetic at their jobs, or who have lost focus (i.e., their personal life is interfering with their ability to execute at work) also tend to procrastinate. Some have found their particular job to be dull, and procrastination becomes the thrill-seeker's way of getting a rush out of attempting to finish a work project in highly condensed time frames. Quality of work is the first casualty, and the procrastinator's job quickly becomes the second. (Procrastination is one of the quickest paths out the door of a good firm. Read Making The Most Out Of Your Day, for some good time-management techniques that can help keep you on track.)6. Whimsical SpendingFinance and accounting professionals work with numbers most of the time - high dollar amounts that represent hard cash, securities, or illiquid assets on a balance sheet. Dealing with money all day makes some in this line of work think that they have a lot of money. Most of the professional's waking hours are spent on left-brained processes and rational thinking, and many finance professionals turn off the switch to reason, logic and prudence when they leave the office for the day. By night, you see their transformation into the spendthrift werewolf, howling at overly expensive sports cars (above their pay grade), or worse, at "models and bottles".The competitive atmosphere in finance can spill over outside of work, where coworkers compete to have the latest sports car, expensive watches, lavish travels and lush apartments. Finance professionals also want to uphold a certain "image of success" that their pay grade cannot afford, which is sometimes referred to as "drinking champagne on a beer budget".Wasteful spending among finance professionals only makes the workplace even more unnecessarily competitive; you have high income earners who are constantly broke, fighting for every scrap and crumb of bonus in the bonus pool. If you can exhibit the control you use to advise your clients, some of this "he who dies with the most toys wins" attitude will die down at the office, and your bank account will only grow. (Some of the largest paychecks can be earned by managing hedge funds. Read 10 Steps To A Career In Hedge Funds to learn how to secure a position in this challenging field.)7. SabotageThe saboteur of the group takes competitiveness to a truly dysfunctional level. There can be various motivations for sabotaging a team's or department's efforts. For example, the saboteur may want to see others fail, and thereby increase his or her relative standing (and compensation) within the group. Saboteurs may also strike in order to protect their own jobs. They will do harm to documents and databases in order to create more work for themselves, which they hope insulates them from being fired or laid off. Or, they may harbor a secret disdain toward their boss, peers, or company, as they may have been passed over for promotion, bonuses, or an attractive transfer.Whatever the reason, saboteurs tend to be highly selfish individuals. There isn't much you can do to protect yourself from these saboteurs except to keep on top of your work and to be conscious of these people. The selfish trait is picked up by good managers, and saboteurs are often passed for promotions because more focused peers are concentrating on how they can continually increase their contributions to the company. In the end, the saboteur only hurts himself.8. Turning Green With EnvyThe basis for a fulfilling and rewarding career is the opportunity to do your best to serve others in the line of work that is right for you. This is often found in a profession that you enjoy. In finance and accounting, there is a tendency to covet another person's position simply because of title, salary, or added responsibility. Often, the person coveting the role only has a minimal understanding of the significantly greater burden or skill sets needed to properly execute the duties of the coveted role. The one who covets tends to only look at the benefits, such as higher salary. However, professionals who find fulfillment with their line of work take ownership of their careers, and are team players. They know that no single person can run an entire department or organization. Professionals who covet someone else's job or title are more likely to be unhappy at work. If you work with a green-eyed wonder, don't fret. There are many ways to encourage this downer individual by offering praise or complimenting their current work, responsibilities and position. If you're this person, then take a moment to enjoy the fact that you have less responsibility and are therefore free to enjoy your weekends without bringing the stress of work home.9. Unhealthy Levels of Cynicism Finance and accounting professionals have to exercise a healthy level of "professional skepticism" in their line of work. The numbers these professionals deal with every day can be inaccurate, incomplete or irrelevant. The tendency to question data points can be a boon to your job description, but can snowball into a habit of unnecessarily questioning everything. Unhealthy levels of cynicism can lead to others being turned off during social interactions, afraid of the stream of negativity flowing out of the cynic's mouth. Others will develop a mental and psychological barrier with the cynic, preventing effective communication in the workplace.10. Killer Health HabitsThe job of the busy finance professional is to successfully juggle both short-term and long-term commitments. With a busy schedule, it is easy to fall into the trap of having unhealthy habits such as no exercise, lack of sleep and bad diet. Pressing priorities lead many professionals to "mortgage" their future health, and become complacent in this important area. And once one coworker starts sliding on this slippery slope, the rest can follow suit. Any individual who is encouraging an unhealthy lifestyle (both at work and in their off-time) will soon reflect the results of those unhealthy choices. Poor health, poor attitude and lack of attention are just a few of the effects of living with killer health habits. Maintaining a good fitness routine, healthy diet and sufficient amounts of sleep is absolutely critical for long-term success and a good quality of life.Parting ThoughtsThe good news is that although there may be many dysfunctional coworkers in your workplace or, worse yet, you've identified a few of these evils in your own workplace persona, we all possess free will. So, you can either chose to remove yourself from your workplace situation, or to stay and become a leader by setting a good example to others. The latter is probably the better choice, albeit the harder one. Small steps in this area result in giant leaps toward healthier work environments.Is the job you're in right now too much for you to handle? Read Six Steps To Successfully Switching Financial Careers to find the right career path for your needs.
by Marv Dumon, (Contact Author Biography)Marv Dumon serves as a mergers and acquisitions advisor for a middle-market financial services firm specializing in industrial and energy companies. He maintains established relationships with more than 500 mid-market private equity firms. He also serves as a national business and finance columnist for Examiner.com. Dumon's background includes experience in consulting, finance and operations with several organizations including two S&P 500 companies. He received a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Six Steps To Successfully Switching Financial Careers
by Glenn Curtis (Contact Author Biography)
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Breaking into the securities industry is incredibly difficult. Success takes years of study and work, followed by a few more years of "paying your dues". So, what happens if you finally reach the pinnacle, only to realize you've been climbing the wrong mountain?
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Financial professionals who aren't happy in their chosen field are not doomed to start at the bottom - unless of course they want to try their hand at surgery, then the bottom might be a good place to start. If you're a trader, analyst, broker or compliance officer looking to shift into another financial field, the good news is that with a little patience and hard work it is possible. In this article we'll explore the six steps you should take to make sure your career transition is a smooth one. (To learn more, see Career Shift: Get In The Driver's Seat.)Step 1: Swallow Your PrideIt's important to know right from the start that when you pursue a new career path, you'll likely have to take a cut in pay, and in title, in order to make the jump. For example, it's unrealistic for a seasoned trader to become a new stockbroker and expect to match his or her previous salary right off the bat. It takes a tremendous amount of time and patience to build up a client base and assets.As you'll come to learn, a successful career switch will require a lot of work and a lot of preparation. Don't expect to dive right in. (For more on the various professional fields, see Preparing For A Career As A Broker Or Trader, Becoming A Financial Analyst and Get A Job In Compliance.)Step 2: Hone Your Skills Before You Make the JumpYou will probably need or want to go back to school to learn about your new career path before you actually pursue it. For example, a person might go back to school to study personal finance or economics if he or she wants to become a financial advisor, or take an options trading classes to become a trader.In addition to schooling, you should also be prepared to study and sit for certain securities exams such as the Series 7 (for those looking to become a registered representative), the Series 55 (to become an equities trader) or the Series 87 (to become a research analyst). This obviously could take a significant amount of time and energy, so take some time to weigh this decision before you start saying your farewells to your boss and coworkers.Finally, when you start a new job, you may also be asked to "shadow" a more senior employee for a period of time to learn all of the idiosyncrasies that go along with the job. The time you'll have to spend job shadowing should also be factored into your decision. Step 3: Be Honest With Your Current BossOnce you know that you want to change careers you should talk to your boss about the decision. Your current boss probably won't be thrilled - especially if you are a top-producing broker - but, if you are upfront and honest about your reason for wanting a change, the odds are good your boss will understand.What's the best way to break the news?Just go for it. Don't beat around the bush. Explain why you want to make the switch, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Your boss might be able to help guide you into a new career and might have contacts to help you on your way. (For more interpersonal tips, see Deal Effectively With Difficult Clients.)Step 4: Find a MentorPrior to making any switch in positions you should try to find a mentor or someone who will be on your side, and will show you the ropes in the new job. Preferably, this should be someone with seniority. It will make the switch much easier.How do you find a mentor?Before actually making the big switch, try to network with other members of the target department at company or industry-related functions. Another possibility is tapping friends or acquaintances in that job beforehand to ask them about their experiences. Once you build up a rapport with someone you like and respect, you can ask if he or she would be willing to take you on as a protégé. You'd be surprised how willing most people are to help. But unless you ask, you'll never find out! (To learn more about the value of networking, read Trying On Potential Employers and The Benefits Of Joining A Professional Association.)Step 5: Don't Sell Yourself ShortIt was mentioned earlier that you should be prepared for a pay cut. This is true; however, switching jobs doesn't mean you should accept a rookie salary.During salary negotiations, be sure to emphasize your existing skill set and your educational and professional experience in the industry. Your previous position gave you knowledge and skills that the average new recruit has no chance of matching. Use this to your advantage to get the job you want. You can also use it to negotiate a slightly more favorable pay package. (For more tips on getting the job and salary you want, check out Taking The Lead In The Interview Dance and Negotiating For Employment Perks.)Step 6: Clear Your scheduleOnce you make the switch, you'll have to be ready for hard work. Anyone looking to transition into a new career should be prepared to come in early each morning and to leave late as he or she becomes proficient in the new job.Before starting the new position, try to complete any personal chores or tasks that you had planned such as fixing up the basement or putting a new roof on the house. After all, you will need as few distractions and stresses as possible.Bottom LineMaking a career shift within the securities industry is possible if you plan ahead and are willing to work hard. Your previous knowledge and experience can give you a boost, turning a treacherous mountain climb into a leisurely hike. If you are feeling trapped in your financial career, learn about your options in Finding Your Place In The FInancial Industry.
by Glenn Curtis, (Contact Author Biography)Glenn Curtis started his career as an equity analyst at Cantone Research, a New Jersey-based regional brokerage firm. He has since worked as an equity analyst and a financial writer at a number of print/web publications and brokerage firms including Registered Representative Magazine, Advanced Trading Magazine, Worldlyinvestor.com, RealMoney.com, TheStreet.com and Prudential Securities. Curtis has also held Series 6,7,24 and 63 securities licenses.
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