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by Vicki Salemi
It is perfectly acceptable to steal someone's identity -
that is, if you're emulating a respected leader's corporate
identity and making it your own. When it comes to forging a
super style of professionalism, borrowing one's strategies
for success and forging a new corporate persona can be a
"steal" for your career.
Just ask Barry Liebling, author of "Think and Act on
Business Ethics: A Radical Capitalist View" (Alert Mind
Publishing, 2004). He contends that modeling behavior is an
important strategic move in catapulting yourself to success,
so long as you put the act of attribute adaptation in
perspective. "You have to understand why your role model's
actions are correct for you. Thoughtlessly copying someone
else's manners is flying blind and will lead to trouble.
Personal integrity is essential."
Got Integrity?
Frank Adubato, chairman/CEO and founder of Camp Aviation, a
full service aircraft management operation based in
Morristown, NJ, agrees. By running an aviation business for
20 years, Frank credits his longevity as a skillful
negotiator, mediator, and mentor to his best friend. "Being
associated with such a well-respected individual has helped
establish credibility in a highly competitive industry,"
Adubato explains. "I've always felt compelled to maintain
his level of character. Establishing trust with a client is
extremely important."
But if you think trust is only important with clients, think
again. Former co-workers Beth Doty, an advertising Executive
at Modernista!, credits one of the Bostona, MA-based
advertising agency's founders, Michael Densmore (currently
of Arnold Worldwide) with setting a valuable leadership
standard. "He's a natural leader," she explains. "People
work at their best when they feel appreciated, valued, and
respected. Regardless of a person's position, experience,
and background, he is always equally respectful,
non-judgmental, and caring."
Densmore credits his father for instilling in him the
mantra, "Treat others how you would want to be treated." In
fact, the same saying holds true for Stacy Francis of
Francis Financial and Savvy Ladies, a non-profit
organization that provides financial empowerment to women.
The certified financial planner says she learned stress
management the old-fashioned way: on the job, in the heat of
the moment. Her former job in mergers dealt with an
incredible amount of pressure, however, in the face of
adversity, her leaders showed you really can do it all and
get it done, while treating each other respectfully.
"Powerful people are usually the most loved and respected;
those who raise colleagues up rather than put them down."
Francis says she uses the borrowed philosophy to build up
and encourage her own staff.
Back to School
Integrity? Check. Respect? Check. Online degree? Huh?
Another way to borrow A-list characteristics for an improved
corporate persona is to school yourself in subject matter.
In fact, Sue Lory, district sales manager for McNeil
Consumer & Specialty PharmaceTech Schoolcals, learned from her boss
what an important role education plays in enhancing one's
career. Since Lory's job is field-based, her manager
suggested a distance learning program - Syracuse
University's iMBA - to provide academic rigor and
flexibility.
"He thought I would learn more about problem solving in
terms of key business issues, and entrepreneurship that
would expose my strengths and solidify my corporate
accountability and corporate responsibility," Lory explains.
"He was right."
Communication 101
Whether you're in the online classroom or in the boardroom,
keep in mind it's not always what you say, but how you say
it. Michelle Tennant, owner of the PR firm, Wasabi
Publicity, learned to make her communication "pop"
professionally by personalized communication skills from her
former boss, Deb Pinger, who insisted on handwritten
notecards for a warm connection. "Letters, cards, and gifts
are mini-expressions of who you are," Tennant learned. She
now uses such tactics to her advantage. "It's like a
mini-advertisement on who you are as a person."
Dress for Success
So, while you're conveying your personality in a written
sentiment or with a gift, it's equally important to look the
part. Just ask Ann Blumenstock, pharmaceTech Schoolcal publicity
whiz at Euro RSCG Life PR. The former actress parlays
theatrical skills into on-the-job success by mirroring
theater buddies.
"If you look the part, you act the part," she explains,
which is why she applied that to her own style of dress in
various offices. "I find I perform better if I really make
an effort to iron those pants and put myself together as
opposed to just giving in and throwing on jeans."
Bridgette Raes of the Bridgette Raes Style Group, an image
and style consulting company that helps clients create a
powerful image and personal style, agrees. "If you don't
feel powerful in what you're wearing, nobody else will feel
it either." She adds, "While I wholeheartedly agree that you
dress for work to represent the job you are doing, you need
to find the balance of appropriate workplace attire that you
feel good wearing."
Request
more information, and you're on your way.
Start moving towards the career of your dreams.
Make It Your Own
In whatever behavior you emulate, advises Francie Dalton,
founder and president of Dalton Alliances, Inc., a
consulting firm providing services in communication,
management, and behavioral sciences to corporate clients, be
sure to factor in your own personal flair.
"Sometimes what one has to emulate is the courage to go
against conventional wisdom." Determine the characteristics
you want to 'steal' based on what has made others
successful. Above all, stresses Dalton, make it your own.
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