Can you discover your discoverer?

There are quite a number of people in the history of mankind that have contributed in one way or the other by bringing a considerable improvement in the life of their fellow human beings. 

They are able to do this by possessing the ability and wherewithal to discover the inner intellect others possessed and how these abilities can be utilized in order to benefit their community, state, country or the world at large. 

The remark made by Andrew Carnegie that he won his success based on the fact that he possessed the knack and ability to pick the right men to handle any specific job to its logical conclusion has known to be one of the classic speech ever made in history. Augustus Caesar was also able to build up and extended the power of the Roman Empire because he possessed ability to know men.

The careers of Disraeli, Napoleon, Lincoln, Charlemagne, Washington as well as other empire builders and saviours hold their places in history because they knew the methods to be adopted to recognize, select and develop to the highest degree the abilities of their co-workers. 

These people of high integrity and accolades attained their high station in the real sense of it largely because of their ability to unearth men of genius. people like Theodore N. Vail, James J. Hill, Morgan, and other builders of industrial and commercial empires worked tirelessly to lay a very strong foundation by almost infallible wisdom in the selection of their lieutenants.

The world of sports has also made known people like Moran, Carrigan, Chance, Stallings, while in the recent time people like Mourinho (the Special One), Sir Alex Fergusson, Arsene Wenger (the Professor) are known for their special talent that make it extremely very easy for them to locate the talented footballers that can deliver at any particular point in time. These people shine chiefly because of their keen judgment of human nature. Another known man in the history of mankind that was known to possess this extra-ordinary trait of discovering people with special abilities is Pericles in Athens.

If a supreme judge of latent talent and inspirer of high achievement can thus always find material ready to his hand, then it follows that humanity is undoubtedly rich in undiscovered genius--that, in the race, there are, unguessed and undeveloped, possibilities for a millennium of Golden Ages. Psychologists after much findings have made us to understand that only a very small percentage of the real ability and energy of the average man is ever developed or used.

"Poor man!" says a reviewer, speaking of a contemporary, "he never discovered his discoverer." The man who waits for his Pericles usually waits in vain. There has been only one Pericles in all history. Great geniuses in the discovery, development, and management of men are rare. 

Most men never meet them. And yet every man can discover his discoverer.

Self-knowledge is the first step to self-development. Through an understanding of his own aptitudes and talents one may find fullest expression for the highest possibilities of his intellect and spirit. A man who thus knows himself needs no other discoverer. The key to self-knowledge is intelligent, scientific self-study.

In the year 1792, Mahmoud Effendi, a Turkish archer, hit a mark with an arrow at 482 yards. His bow, arrows, thumb-ring and groove are still on exhibition in London as proof of the feat. His prowess lay in his native gift, trained by years of practice, to guess the power of his bow, the weight and balance of his arrow, and the range and direction of his target; also, the sweep of the wind. This he gained by observations repeated until the information gathered from them amounted to almost exact knowledge. Thousands of gunners to-day hit a mark miles away, with a 16-inch gun, not because they are good guessers, but because, by means of science, they determine accurately all of the factors entering into the flight of their projectiles.

Discover yourself through self-assessment. This will go a long way in telling you your capability, interest, values and any other trait that will propel you to get to your dream without being disappointed.

Thank you.  

What Executive Job Candidates Should Be Careful Of

What Executive Job Candidates Should Be Careful Of

Like any process, applying and interviewing for an executive job carries with it an unspoken set of rules that distinguish an Executive Job Candidate from other categories while searching for job. Looking for high paying jobs is becoming difficult by the day, hence the need to be well prepared and avoid the common CV and interview pitfalls that could make you lose out a lucrative position.

THINGS YOU MUST DO . . .

a) It is extremely important for you to think about how you present yourself

Whether you are to send your CV through online system, telephone conversation, by email or in person, it’s important that you give a good impression whenever you communicate about the executive appointment you’re interested in. A professional image is critical to your success, and it is something that makes an immediate impact. It may seem unimportant to you, but every bit of contact that an agency or employer has with you informs their eventual decision on whether to offer the job to you or not.

b) Don’t be seen as a prospective liar, Tell the truth whatever the situation

Apparently, we’ve all been tempted to lie about our qualifications or experience. This is always a bad move, particularly if you’re applying for an executive appointment. The company will be investing a reasonable amount of money in your appointment and on your salary, and they won’t be happy if they discover you got the position by being dishonest with them. An honest candidate is much more likely to get the job, and won’t have to worry about keeping up the lies once they start work.

c) Be time conscious in your approach

Lateness should be avoided at all costs. Make sure you leave in plenty of time to get to your place of interview 5-10 minutes early. If you are unavoidably caught up in traffic, make sure you have the company contact details with you so that you can call immediately and explain your situation. Once you get to the interview, don’t spend your time moaning about the delay.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T DO.

a) Don’t Be too aggressive or offensive

Applicants for executive appointments are expected to have a certain standard of behaviour. Don’t make the mistake of being too informal with your interviewer, don’t tell rude or offensive jokes, or make comments that the interviewer may find distasteful. Limit your answers and questions to the subject and scope of the interview. Don’t ever go beyond what you are being asked and if there is any need to give extra information, do it with modesty.

b) Don’t be too over-confident

Over-confidence in interviews is often the result of nerves, and an effort to appear self-confident for executive appointments can end up looking like arrogance to the interviewer. Sell yourself by all means, but do it in a manner that shows that you can also work as part of a team and accept ideas and criticism from others.

c) Put too much emphasis on salary

If an employer thinks that you only want the job for the money, you are unlikely to get it. Any talk about salary and benefits should come right at the end of the interview. If you begin by asking about pay and conditions, you run the risk of giving the interviewer the wrong impression. Salary is an important part of all executive appointments, so stick to your guns when negotiating salary, but don’t make it the focal point of the interview. Be very cautious not to give a very bad impression about yourself.

Executive appointments is known to be an important position in any organization, because it is saddled with the responsibility of representing the company both within and outside the company. This dictates the reason why agencies and companies are looking for people who have the skills, qualifications and experience to carry on the work with utmost sincerity and commitment. You need to know that careful preparation and planning can help you to succeed.

Good luck in your job search.