Comments on: Why Job Fit Is Important To Your Confidence

By: Mike King

Mike King — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:51:11 +0000

No problem Chris. I’m always amazed to see how easy it is to turn something around (like the thoughts about a job or career) if you can shift to look at what you do enjoy and like in it. People don’t put enough attention to how they affect things around them and typically make themselves a victim in it, instead of a player.

Anyway, thanks for the extra discussion and great topic!

By: Chris Bailey

Chris Bailey — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:45:20 +0000

Mike, I like the questions you pose here. I think once an individual understands that they may not be totally responsible for a poor fit, then they can begin to approach their situation using questions like the four you offer above. Thanks for bringing that perspective to this post.

By: Mike King

Mike King — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:22:41 +0000

To add to your questions you need to look at the positives as well. They can often steer you in a new direction either for a new role or job, or to simply help you refocus on the areas you enjoy most.
-Why did you accept the job and why are you still there now?
-Do you build connections at your work with your projects/tasks and people?
-How do you talk about your work to others, do you get excited and want to share it?
-Would you miss your work if you left for another job?

I think a lot of folks forget about some of the things that are great about their jobs and don’t work to make IT better. You have an impact there and can easily make it what you want it to be. Don’t overlook that.

By: Rosa Say

Rosa Say — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:36:17 +0000

Chris, the concept of “fit” is so wonderfully USEFUL in this regard; I applaud you for calling this attention to it.

I think of that wisdom inherent in Maslow’s pyramid too, where we all have to meet the basic need he called our “sense of belonging.” Belonging is not about tenure and the process of becoming an insider as it is about fit, and being the square peg who glories in the precision of his or her precisely turned corners, for they have never been forced into a round hole. They were proud of who they were, and of the strengths they possess, and then, armed with the confidence you speak of, they chose wisely, now doing their best work in square-peg puzzles.

Both square and round pegs help our world go round in the most pleasing way (with a bunch of other geometric shapes thrown into the mix too!)