There’s always that misinterpretation of leaders as dictators, where in reality a good leader is just as dedicated to a craft as the rest of their group. Leaders commit themselves to lifelong learning – an ongoing and self-motivated pursuit for knowledge and improvement, whether for personal or professional reasons.

It sounds easy enough, right? Here are seven habits to keep in mind as you try to pursue growth as a leader dedicated to lifelong learning:

1. Read. Make it a daily habit, if possible. It doesn’t matter if you read books or blogs, newspapers or magazines, simple articles or everything from cover to cover. It’s ideal to read about leadership traits and other business-related things, but it’s not a bad idea either to read about your hobbies and interests.

2. Write. It’s okay to write in a journal or private blog, but if you can then try to write publicly. This is a great way to articulate and share what you have been learning. In fact, it may possibly inspire others to follow your lead!

3. Create and maintain peer relations. You will always benefit from sharing thoughts and ideas with like-minded people. No one can mature on their own, so have a simple lunch with friends and coworkers in similar positions. Throw ideas around, and benefit from each others’ knowledge.

4. Do personal coaching. It is just as important to share with peers as it is to share with those who look up to you. If time and opportunity allows, do it as personal as possible, such as one-on-one coaching. If not, try to hold a meeting regularly where your team can interact with you in a manner that’s not intimidating for them.

5. Get a mentor (or mentors). In the same way, you will also need at least one other person to guide you, a leader that will teach you to grow and develop in ways you cannot do on your own, and you stay humble as well. You become a great leader when you have someone’s lead you can follow.

It may seem like a lot of hard work at first, but all things worth doing are. If you have a passion for leadership, you will always find time and effort for it. Eventually, these habits become second nature to you and you will have developed a penchant for lifelong learning. This is especially the case if you want to make the best out of your company and lead people into working well and happily.

Our firm holds free educational client luncheons on a regular basis. Follow us on Facebook and on our blog to get updates about these and our other upcoming events!

A college degree doesn’t make anyone a shoo-in for a job. Inversely, a lack of it cannot stop a person from pursuing a career of their dreams either. There are classic examples of success stories about people who never graduated from college (or attended it, for that matter) yet still were able to make careers of themselves.

It’s What You’ve Done and What You Can Do That Ultimately Matters

While most jobs today still require a college degree, it often helps to have a staffing agency assist you in your job hunt. Experts now say that many companies would gladly hire people with a solid resume showcasing a long-term professional background and results.

Employers often want to know off the bat if they can get the right person for the job, and not necessarily a piece of paper with a title. Companies now often look for those who can provide solutions and results, so they’re willing to consider those with a sense of accomplishment and a proven track record.

A staffing agency can help you create a carefully constructed resume that would highlight their best accomplishments, as well as training or certifications received, which would have to make up for the absence of a college degree.

It’s Also Who You Know

Job hunters often don’t realize that it’s very important to know a lot of people. While some are astoundingly good at networking on their own, a staffing agency can help even the most clueless ones reach whomever they need to in order to land a job.

As a matter of fact, there are plenty of jobs out there today that are not posted online. It may be tiring to physically go from building to building, city by city, just to land interviews. With the help of a staffing agency, however, it’s much easier for a person to reach a wider network of potential employers. Staffing agencies can match a person’s resume to the right companies, big or small, with a few phone calls or at the click of a button.

It’s Not the Be All and End All of Careers

There are a lot of jobs out there that don’t even require a college degree! Such examples are: dental hygienist, web developer, paralegal secretary, insurance agent, industrial machine repairer, cosmetologist or hair stylist, wholesale sales representative, electrical technician, teacher’s aide, and so much more. The possibilities are endless. A staffing agency can cross-check your skillset and recommend you to a number of different job opportunities that suit you, which you might not have considered or even heard of.

If you are in the Central Valley and looking for a new career or even just a new job, call us at (559)579-1331. One of our staffing professionals will be available to help you 5 days a week! To see what types of positions we have open, CLICK HERE

There are still companies today that are very strict when it comes to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media sites. Often, they ban access to those websites, most notably during core work hours. Usually, the reasoning behind these strict policies is that employees won’t be able to focus on their jobs. However, newer studies are challenging this notion. Here are 5 reasons companies should embrace the idea of allowing social media at the workplace:

1.) It’s an old idea that just can’t be avoided. Unlike in the past when it was traditional for people in charge to micromanage and outlaw things they deem unacceptable, today’s 21^st century workplace is mostly democratized.

2.) It’s self-defeating. In all honesty, most people nowadays own a smart phone, tablet, or some sort of portable device that connects to social media. Data plans and wifi hotspots make it nearly impossible for a totalitarian-style office, as workers can take a peek at their social updates while on a break or in the restroom.

3.) Social media is the new water cooler. Essentially, rather than old school conversations at the water cooler or taking a coffee break, people today resort to gadgets to get news, keep up with co-workers and friends, make social arrangements, and all other things. We live in a social media rich environment, which has both its positives and negatives. Banning social media, then, is like banning people from engaging in conversation with people at work. Imagine outlawing laughing or talking… that’s how greatly it can affect the workforce.

4.) It makes us more productive. Believe it or not, social media makes people open their minds, allowing us to group-solve big problems and yet also think independently. The fact that people are “watching” or knowing what you’re up to makes us change our minds for the better. In essence, banning social media from the workplace can make a person feel more empowered to seek employment with a more open-minded and innovative network of people or companies.

5.) It enhances our multitasking skills, which is beneficial for workers. In the same way social media encourages the idea of staying connected and handling a lot of things at once, the workplace needs such skills as well. In the past, people sat at work all day and went home to proceed with leisure. Today, both work and play are interconnected. So, occasionally posting to social media sites doesn’t mean a person’s not working or isn’t productive – it only means their brain is temporarily focused on something other than their job.

So you need more money, but you’re not sure how to do it? Read on for tips on how to properly ask for a raise. This process requires careful preparation, impeccable timing, impressive skills, and a backup plan (just in case).

It’s important to remember never to base your request just because of personal issues. People who successfully get a raise are superstar workers – they are the best of the best, the elite when it comes to doing their jobs exceptionally well.

Do: Ask for a Raise

It’s nearly impossible to get a raise without asking for it. Speak up when you feel that you have a case and the timing is right. Chances are, if you do deserve it, they will give it to you.

Don’t: Threaten Your Boss with Another Job

It’s all about proper negotiation. If you start threatening a company that you’re leaving because there’s “another job waiting” (whether it’s true or not), you might as well state the reason you’re leaving is because your boss is probably going to give you the boot anyway. No leadership in their right mind would ever make a counter offer because they were threatened an employee is taking another job.

Do: Find Out Your Value

Figure out what you’re worth, even if it means using online resources, salary surveys, cost of living comparisons, or even going on interviews elsewhere. If it’s possible and ethical depending on the company you’re with, look at compensation rates within your organization as well. Take a look at the job market and see how similar positions or people with like skills get compensated.

Don’t: Argue That Your Co-Worker Earns More

To begin with, most companies keep salaries confidential. And the main point? Your pay is a reflection of your own work, so therefore it wouldn’t make sense for your boss to pay you more based on your co-worker’s performance.

Do: Know Your Number

After all the research, consider all the factors in your life and figure out what you believe is a fair amount of money to ask for. Think of your current salary, what you found out about the job market, and how you’re living. Again, never mix personal issues when you do this – sharing your sob story such as needing a raise because you can’t make rent or you need to cover other personal expenses isn’t going to fly.

Don’t: Ask for Too Much

The bottom line is you have to do your research. Know what your value is! In addition, it’s unethical to just tell your boss about your market research as well. Remember, it’s not the market paying you – your company is.

Do: Be Confident

Be confident, not cocky. Arrogance just won’t work. Confidence, on the other hand, is appealing and assertive. It lets the boss know you believe in yourself and your skills enough, and that you’re around because you love what you do and are grateful for it. It shows that you care about the organization and your boss, and you want to witness and continue to be a part of the company’s success.

Don’t: Ask for a Raise After a Bad Performance

Performance reviews are there for a reason, so it would be seriously strange to ask for a raise around the time your boss called you in to discuss poor performance ratings. Stick to your accomplishments. Companies would gladly pay more to people who add great value to the company.