Name a unique talent you bring to the company, each person in the room was asked. It was part of a motivational exercise for a team meeting. I couldn’t think of anything except, “I work like a government mule”, but with Sylvia Browne-like consciousness, I sensed that wasn’t the answer they were seeking.
What would you say about yourself? Do you have a money-maker quality? It’s pretty difficult to come up with a delightful quality you possess on a moment’s notice… especially if it also has to benefit work.
I’m good at a few things, but could a corporation profit from my deep suspicion of the federal government, consuming interest in silent movies, or penchant for amateur handwriting analysis? I suppose circumstances could so weave themselves that my collection of turn-of-the-century photography will quadruple company revenues. But so far, I haven’t seen that happen.
Note to self: Add “Victrola Connoisseur” to resume. You never know!
Since then, I’ve been thinking about talent.
One of the more interesting pieces of career advice I’ve ever heard has to do with personal branding, and a personal career commercial, in particular.
Make a list of your talents and strengths and achievements, and then create a little speech (60 seconds or less). Write it down and memorize it. You can use it as a personal advertisement whenever you have an opportunity to sell yourself, or in the event you’re put on the spot during a team meeting.
You know who would have definitely had a personal commercial (back in the day, anyway)? Bill Clinton.
Even if you’re not trying to get ahead at work, it’s a nice little motivational/pick-me-up tool. If you’re very shy, it would be a good thing to have in your back pocket, just to helo you make friends or be confident enough to join a new group. You could have different ‘ads’ for different situations.
The word of the day is milquetoast.
