Each time I talk with Joe Williams, owner of Williams Bay Pumping Service, I see the passion that he has for excellent leadership and I go away motivated to be a better leader. When I asked Joe questions on different topics, he immediately gave the thoughts below.

When Joe is looking for future employees, he looks for a person that naturally…

• Gives exceptional service
• Really enjoys helping customers
• Sees the big picture of customer life-long service
• Communicates well in educating the customer

I asked Joe how his company differentiates itself from their competitors. Joe sees his company as striving to…

• Only employ those that genuinely care for their customers
• Have a focused vision of where the company is headed
• Show each employee their value and potential
• Surpass standard practices
• Educate those who aren’t even customers “Our advice is always free”

Keep it up, Joe! Thanks for sharing!

Gail Leino, Managing Partner, of Pointes North on US 31 North (on the bay near Don’s Drive In) sat next to me the first time I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and was very helpful. We’ve been friends ever since.

I thought you may find it interesting to read what Gail is looking for when she is looking for new associates at Pointes North.

When hiring, Gail looks for a person with a personality that is pleasant, outgoing, self-assured, warm and welcoming to strangers. A good work ethic and pride in Pointes North is very important. Helpful, but not required is a good knowledge of the tourist attractions in the area.

At the interview Gail will probably ask: ‘Why are you looking for a new position’, ‘What made you decide to apply at Pointes North?’, and, ‘What about the hospitality industry appeals to you?’ After explaining their dress code, Gail asks if they’re willing to comply.

Gail’s words of wisdom for the person applying for a position in the hospitality industry are,”You must find dealing with the public a pleasant experience and must have the ability to handle some unplesant matters with grace even though the public is not always courteous and well-mannered, we must be.”

Most of us attendees were blown away with our answers after a question was asked at a conference workshop this Spring by Susan Britton Whitcomb, a Careers Expert. I’ve asked my clients this question and they have loved this exercise. I’m going to ask you the same question. “If you had no limits on money, time, health and strength, what would you do?” Treat yourself by pondering 15 seconds on your answer.

Did some activities come right away to mind? If so, you may want to write down your answers on index cards and seriously consider whether you would like to make those activities realistic goals some time in the near or distant future. I was surprised at my answers. One of them was to visit my daughter while she is in India for four months. I talked to my daughter about this idea and she was so excited!

Career Coaching is when the total focus is on you, identifying your strengths, personality traits and interests, what you want to in your life and on what will help you achive it. A career coach is like having your own personal navigator for the career journey: someone who will help you find your way by listening, asking insightful questions, and giving strategic guidance.

I’d love to hear your answers to the question Susan asked us! Or, if you have other career related questions, please email them to me!

Do you know a co-worker, boss or friend that feel it’s impossible to get organized, stick to a job or keep an appointment? Does this person have a hard time focusing on what you’re saying and quickly bounce from topic to topic?

Adults with these challenges usually have a low perception of themselves. If a person has and is diagnosed with ADHD, there is generally a sigh of relief. Now a person begins to understand the ‘why’ of some problems and can experience improvement. My hair stylist, a 23-year old, told me today that she was diagnosed with ADHD three weeks ago. I had no idea. With treatment, she is already finding it so much easier in her career to concentrate on what her clients are saying rather than be pulled into other conversations around her. Also, she knows she will be able to focus on listen ing to friends talk for a while instead of sometimes seeing frustrated looks on their faces. She told me that she would like everyone to know about ADHD because she sees how, if untreated, ADHD negatively affects a person with frustration, depression and low self-perception.

For more information on ADHD, see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#adult.