07/01/2014Commitments and Practices for Thriving in the Changing World of WorkBy Mark GutermanI recently had the honor of being one of the keynoter’s for the 2011 NCDA Conference in San Antonio. I suggested that career counselors encourage clients to make time each day for silence, meditation, or prayer, whatever fits into the spiritual lives of our clients and students. Furthermore, everyone should allow their sense of the divine (whatever that means) to be expressed. Near the end of my presentation, I gave a brief overview of six “commitments and practices” that I believe are essential for helping our clients and students thrive in the changing world of work. Having worked with thousands of individuals of all ages and stages of development, I’ve seen how each of the following is critical to client success, and if any one of them is not tended to appropriately, the career development process becomes that much more challenging and difficult.
I believe that every human is brilliant and unique and that our work is to help our students and clients uncover, claim, and develop the courage to take those qualities into their work and careers. When those we work with can tap into that brilliance and uniqueness, they can do remarkable things and they develop the power and courage to fulfill their potential and achieve their aspirations. This is what we strive for in our work and by staying focused on these six commitments and practices, our clients and students can achieve anything they set out to do.
Mark Guterman, based in the San Francisco Bay-Area, is co-founder and principal of Meaningfulcareers.com, which guides people to meaningful work, and is president of G & G Associates, a consulting firm that teaches people how to thrive in the changing workplace. He is also career coach, trainer, and program designer for JVS and Vice President, Career Development for Torchiana, Mastrov, and Sapiro. Mark teaches for John F. Kennedy University, as well as trains and consults for organizations in various aspects of career management, leadership development, building an effective multi-generational workforce, and work/life balance. He has worked with dozens of large and small for-profit and not-for-profit organizations throughout the United States. He can be reached at mark@meaningfulcareers.com 5 CommentsMila Asperin on Wednesday 08/03/2011 at 12:54 PM It is always very refreshing to read a colleague's "wisdom in print" and it is also a great opportunity to confirm our own wisdom and best practices as they relate to approaching the client in a helping relationship as ours is. Much to my enjoyment, it is common word of knowledge to inspire clients to secure the rigns of their career development anchored- of course- in divine wisdom and responsibility to God, a Higher source, in any faith practice. I must also send word to NCDA for the courage to publish such value based content in its newsletter. THIS is what counseling- career counseling at that- is all about.
Sherri Edwards on Monday 08/08/2011 at 05:49 PM Thanks, Mark! Excellent article with very concise points. Jackie Torres on Monday 08/15/2011 at 05:13 PM Mark, just a big thank you for this article. It is spot on! Maribeth Gunner on Wednesday 08/17/2011 at 12:48 PM Mark, thank you for these very insightful points. They are certainly applicable to the world of work, but also to life in general. Wise and practical! Thank you. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the comments shown above are those of the individual comment authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of this organization.
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Paula Wagner on Tuesday 08/02/2011 at 07:53 PM
Thanks for a great reminder of what, as counselors, we may know in our hearts but often forget in our heads, as we shepherd our clients through these challenging times. In this economy, it's even more important to notice, acknowledge and cherish life in it's totality, beyond the confines of our careers.