Career Goals Link Asking Powerful Questions: Business Education Trends

Career Goals Link Asking Powerful Questions: Business Education Trends

Andrew Scharf addresses the type of questions which regularly appear on linkedin. His answers give MBA candidates vision and clarity when taking about their career goals

Viewpoint by Andrew Scharf, Head of the WCW Group

Imagine you are in a car and it is speeding not recklessly but with determination towards the edge of a cliff. You know that if nothing is done, there is going to be a huge bang and not necessary the fanfare that comes from fluttering banners and trumpets. You want to stop the car or at least slow it down; somehow your nerves freeze and you cannot seem to find the control panel.

This is the exact predicament many MBA applicants find themselves. They want the top MBA admissions acceptance letter; and yet they want to get the MBA admissions application process over as quickly as possible. They think once I am in the business school programme of my choice, I will find my way. This is a recipe, which can be politely termed, "a lack of vision". What is called for is clearly the type of executive coaching which helps you get on with your ambitions. Career counseling is just the necessary medicine; however, you must recognise that the medicine is needed and to follow the prescription.

Whitefield Consulting Worldwide has been hired by many professionals to help them develop vision and clarity. We have seen many clients say, "Wow". wiping the sweat from their brow, "that was a close call". And it has been. What I admire about the WCW team is their persistence to never give up helping somebody. I tip my hat to their dedication. Why? Because you matter to them.

There is never any shame to ask someone for help or guidance. We do it all time at work, at the gym, and even in social activities. So, why not for the MBA admissions process?

The answer is false pride.

It is not always clear where we are going although we have the idea that doing an MBA or Executive MBA may get us to that objective. The first thing that must be established is who is the source of the vision. The answer is you. You might not think that, but it is so. What is required is the right type of catalyst to bring out your potential and ideas and to be shown a coherent road map on how to get there. It is almost as if you were lost in an unfamiliar city and were in need of directions.

The best form of MBA coaching is when you are with someone who can show you clearly where you stand. Why shouldn't you be proud of what you already done?

Any one can point out what you might have done, but this is a fruitless exercise which creates a state of dependence. No executive coach will do this. Often we are so close to our ideas that we fail to gain a perspective. The MBA coach will help you stand back from your self and gain the helicopter point of view necessary to move forward with determination.

There is no need to fear. When those in supporting roles see your vision, they should have the energy and skills to engage you in a spirit of openness and vitality. The positive forces that are unleashed produce often striking results.

Start your day by saying, "Today, I make my vision a reality".

Although uncertainty is a common human reaction to various phenomena, MBA and executive coaching will give you the tools to put this beast to rest with the certitude you need. By expressing your career goals in a clear and concise fashion, you gain the root of leadership, which lies at the heart of all your activities. You will feel a sense of freedom and lightness of being. It is a sensation which unbinds.

In an interview when someone asks you what are your career goals and how can the MBA help you obtain them, you will no longer be tongue tied. The answer will be authentic as well as convincing.

Most people can’t do this.

Ask Powerful Questions

To find your vision, start by itemising the right questions. The answers to those questions, must connect you with your MBA and post-MBA goals; ideally, they should even exalt your personal values.

We are not talking "the end justifies the means".

What we are saying is to visualise the outcome as if it was already accomplished. The techniques of visualisation are quite powerful. Ask anyone who practices yoga. If you know where you would like to be, then you can navigate your Ferrari to your destination with safety.

One of our clients said recently that she wanted to move into management consulting but was afraid that her background in operational marketing might seem inappropriate. In the beginning she had not convinced herself that this goal was attainable.

If you don't convince yourself, how do you expect to convince somebody else?

However, the more we talked and trained, she gained the self-assurance, she needed. Her vision became tangible; she could taste it. Once that bridge was crossed she knew that if that was true, she would accomplish other important goals such as generating revenue and increasing market share in her current position. She had re-gained something that had been temporarily misplaced: her self-confidence.

This is the role of an MBA coach. Take away the match stick and put in its place stadium lighting. Then, it is easy to see what must be done with confidence and verve.

For Further Information

Andrew Scharf is a regular contributor to WCW inSIGHT on leadership and Business Education Trends. He is also the head of the MBA Coaching & Career Development division of Whitefield Consulting Worldwide, whose unique coaching methodologies have helped countless professionals harmonise their professional aspirations with their developmental needs.

Visit: http://www.whitefieldconsulting.com

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