What's "radical careering?" It is concepts, ideas, inspiration, transformation and a new book. And on Friday, March 2 Sally Hogshead -- author, consultant, speaker and guru of all things work-related -- comes to town for a 9 a.m. presentation at The Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design. Her visit is sponsored and presented by the United Adworkers Club.
Ms. Hogshead took a few minutes, via e-mail, to answer a few questions. Looking to get ahead at work and life? Continue reading.
OMC: Why should I, or anyone, buy your book?
Sally Hogshead: Love that question. But instead of answering it myself, I think I'll let other folks do it for me...
"Radical Careering is a jolt to the old way of thinking about careers; a handbook of new thinking that will help you survive, strive and thrive in the radically new world of work." --Jeff Taylor, Founder and former Chief Monster, Monster.com
"Hogshead's powerful strategies will teach you how to drive your own success, by having the fearlessness, daily courage, and curiosity to jump in the deep end and swim with real purpose." -- Lee Ann Daly, Executive VP of Marketing, ESPN
"Tomorrow's successful companies are in desperate need of radical careerists: career entrepreneurs with broad skill sets, fresh perspectives, and no regard for the status quo." --Steven Wilheit, SVP of Global Marketing, Nissan Motors
"Take inventory of your strengths, identify your passions, then do everything in your power to carve your career toward them. Want to know how? Read this book." -- Marcus Buckingham, author of The One Thing You Need to Know, and Now, Discover Your Strengths
OMC: How do you define success?
SH: Modern success isn't measured by a bank account, or a business card, or any of the other brass rings. It's about choice. Success is about having control to decide what kind of life you want to live. For some people, that choice means having the financial option to retire early. For others it's about developing the reputation to work with the most brilliant minds around.
In my study of 1,000 people around the country, I asked about power. For 69 percent of respondents, power meant having freedom and control to make choices.
Power is:
- Fame: 2.8 percent
- Making a lot of money: 12 percent
- Access to most important people: 16.3 percent
- Freedom to say no and walk away: 32.3 percent
- Having complete control over your schedule: 36.7 percent
OMC: Discuss this phrase, "Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life." Is it possible, realistic or just babble that some career-climbing speakers like to use?
SH: Career babble, definitely. It sounds great, sure, but the reality is that a career is work, just like marriage is work and parenting is work. Yes, of course, a career worth loving brings joy and excitement and fulfillment. But there will be days when your career feels like ditch-digging. And that's okay. Nothing worth your lifetime of time and talents will come easy.
My definition of "careering:" Careering is the profound and glorious and terrifying and absurdly difficult but infinitely rewarding process of transforming your current self into your ultimate self.
OMC: Have you ever been to Milwaukee? If not, what are your perceptions of our city? If so, what city does it most remind you of? Either way, welcome!
SH: I haven't! But I did live in Minneapolis for two years, if that counts. I didn't get frostbite, but I after one particularly good blind date, I did get a husband. My perceptions of the city are all positive, but won't be confirmed unless I can sample some cheese curds while I'm in town.
OMC: If you could have coffee or a drink with anyone, who would it be and why?
SH: My first thought was Steve Jobs, or Richard Branson, or some other entrepreneurial superstar. Then I considered Martin Luther King, or Jesus Christ. But honestly? I travel so much. Already in 2007 I've flown over 30,000 miles, and my visit to Milwaukee is the start of a 6-city trip. So who would I want to have coffee with? No question. My 6-year-old son, Quinton and my 3-year-old daughter, Azalea. They remind me who I am. Oh, and we wouldn't be drinking coffee. Hot chocolate, extra whipped cream, please.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
