Saturday, July 2, 2011

History 101: Career lessons from the world's top leaders

Just because Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison aren't alive today, that doesn't mean their leadership lessons should be forgotten. Since history always repeats itself, some career advice never seems to change. Here, we take a look at the leadership philosophies of iconic leaders and how they can help you get ahead in your career.

1. "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure." -- Colin Powell

Career lesson: When it comes to your career, it's impossible to take the easy way out. Most of those who've found success don't have some secret connections that have helped them get ahead. Moving up in a company or building a business is always done the old-fashioned way -- by striving to do your best.
Bing: What traits to highly successful people have in common?

2. "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -- Thomas Edison

Career lesson: Not everyone gets it right 100 percent of the time, and the ability to rebound from career mistakes is just as important as getting it right the first time around. Companies are most interested in people who can work through problems instead of giving up.

3. "Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere." --  Albert Einstein

Career lesson: These days, innovation is a buzzword, and solving problems creatively is a valuable skill. Companies aren't simply looking to hire clones, so understanding how to differentiate yourself in a corporate environment is a plus.

4. "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Career lesson: There's never a perfect day at work, and dwelling on past mistakes or having a negative attitude can prevent you from making progress. Remember that most of your superiors and managers have erred in the past but somehow managed to score that promotion.

5. "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -- Confucius
Career lesson: Just because a specific career is associated with a high salary or is in demand, that doesn't mean you should pursue it. Picking a profession you're genuinely interested in always makes it easier to enjoy your work.

6. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain

Career lesson: Finding great mentors and avoiding those who don't believe in you is a must as you start your career. Whether it's a bullying boss, a jealous co-worker or an unsupportive classmate, there's never a reason to be weighed down by negative opinions.

7. "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Career lesson: Put your all into your career. Sometimes you will fail, and sometimes you will succeed beyond what you could have imagined. Take risks, make sacrifices, learn from your mistakes and keep going.  

8. "Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. Go some distance away, because work will be in perspective and a lack of harmony is more ready seen." -- Leonardo da Vinci

 Career lesson: Sometimes taking a break is just as important
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Source msnCareers

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