The
idea that a super spy and your success at work could be related is probably as
foreign as, well, as James Bond's exotic travel and lifestyle. Even so, there
are some lessons about what it takes to be successful at work from the
fictional secret agent.
You
do not have to face death-defying odds or evil villains at your job. You may
not even travel to cool international destinations or drive a fast car or have
an assortment of secret gadgets. However, there are common keys to success that
you can use at work as well.
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| From Wiki Commons |
The
James Bond character is known for being well-dressed, always pulling off a
defeat of the bad guy from the brink of disaster, saving the world and, of
course, winning the heart of the beautiful heroine in the end. You are on your
own when it comes to winning the girl, but in the other areas, following these 7
steps will help you build your own professional reputation and create steps to
your own success.
1.
Knowledgeable. James Bond always knows some
obscure or bizarre trivia or information that helps him impress the boss as
well as save the day from the bad guy. Rare orchids to business leaders are
just some of the examples of the little facts that come into play in the
movies. For your own success, first you have to know your business. Understand
the many different aspects internally that affect how the organization works,
as well as the market forces outside that drive consumers.
2.
Be professional.
Being knowledgeable will take you far, but to cross the finish line ahead of
the competition you have to look and act professional. Bond is known for being well
dressed. Whether nightlife in a tuxedo or tweed jacket for the English
countryside, Bond is the picture of professionalism. Dress to the level you
want to reach within your company and act with class. Leave the crude talk and
profanity at home, if you must talk that way at all.
3.
Never give up. Throughout the stories, both
the books and movies, James Bond never gives up. No matter how bad the situation
looks or how dire the circumstances, Bond keeps fighting for himself, for those
he cares for and even for the safety of the world. No matter what, he finds a
way to keep fighting and a way to win. When things get tough at work, keep
moving forward and stay focused on what you need to do to succeed. It is truly
a state of mind more than anything else.
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| From Wiki Commons |
4.
Flexible and Decisive.
Throughout his missions, Bond often stumbles across new tips or leads and even
if that means a change to the original plan, he is flexible enough to jump on
those new pieces of information and change direction. Do not stay so focused on
your original goals that you are unable to change or adapt to new information
or circumstances. Once new information comes to light, being flexible allows
you to see different alternatives, but to follow through you have to be
decisive. Throughout the books and movies, Bond can visualize his objectives
and makes up his mind that he will follow through to the end.
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| From Wiki Commons |
5.
Take risks. Danger is the companion of
movie secret agents and Bond is no exception. Be willing to take calculated
chances and willing to expose yourself to some level of risk in order to
succeed. Do not let fear hold you back, but instead picture the success your
risks will bring. Remember that failure to do anything is often far more dangerous
than taking some action or response to a potentially hazardous business
situation.
6.
Use secret gadgets. We
live in a high tech world. Do not lose sight that new technology could change
how you operate your business or how your customers shop and make buying
decisions, even if you do not personally like or use the new devices. Bond
always seems to pull out the right gadget at the most appropriate time to save
himself and the world from disaster. Use whatever means you need to in order to
make the best use of your time, reach your customers or keep ahead of the
competition.
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| From Wiki Commons |
7.
Enjoy. There is no doubt that Bond
has a certain ‘joie de vivre’. He enjoys life, from selecting the best meal off
a dinner menu or choosing the accompanying wine, to the way he drives, the
women he dates and even the quirky one-liners that are perfectly scripted for
him. At the end of the day, to be truly successful at work, or at anything, you
have to enjoy what you are doing. Do not lose sight of the fun factor, no
matter what career you find yourself. Even if you are not a super spy, living a
top-secret life.
Use these top-secret tips to find
your own success and come out ahead on the job, no matter what kind of work you
are in. And remember, this message will self-destruct in five seconds…
Eric
Smith, CPP is the leading authority on organizational self-defense. He has
extensive experience in law enforcement as well as security management. Eric is
available for staff education and security awareness training as well as
business coaching to help organizations provide safe workplaces. To learn more
email eric@businesskarate.com.
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