Two Mirrors and a Cheetah
Description
Are you a passenger in your career, wanting more but fearful of change or failure? Do you wish you could just be yourself at work?
Two Mirrors and a Cheetah will help you to challenge the assumptions and choices that hold you back, and inspire you to find real career fulfilment just by being yourself. Providing insights, examples and simple exercises, this book will equip you to:
- Understand and showcase your unique capabilities
- Identify the contexts that help you to thrive
- Recognise and successfully navigate change
- Deal with challenges like the 'bad' manager, the job hunt, the promotion, and coaching your own team
- Define your own work-life rhythm
If you learn better with stories than with detailed handbooks, then this easy-to-read book is all the empowerment you need to get into the driving seat and take control of your career today!
Reviews
'Dedicated to exploring and understanding yourself, this book is packed with inspiring, insightful and practical advice and exercises to get you to where you want to go. The wisdom in these pages is priceless.' Amanda Mackenzie OBE, Chief Executive, Business In the Community
'A career's worth of learning and deep insights packaged for easy consumption. A must read for everyone who wants to build a career that brings out and develops the best of themselves.' Jamie Heywood, Regional General Manager UK, Northern & Eastern Europe, Uber
'A highly engaging and valuable career guide, helpful at any stage in your career. McDonnell's path is a distinguished one, and through her unique lens, that of scientist, seasoned business leader adventurous soul and life-long learner, she provides relatable, practical advice and frameworks that offer the reader a roadmap to growth and career satisfaction, a means to flourish professionally on one's own terms.' Ripa Rashid, Author and Diversity and Inclusion Expert
'This book holds a career's worth of wisdom from an inspirational leader. Read this if you want a happier and healthier career!' Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum and former CEO Amazon UK
'Engaging, entertaining and thought provoking. For anyone seeking to further their professional career and frankly for anyone seeking to unleash their true self in business or in life, this book is one not to miss!' Leila McKenzie-Delis, Author and Founder and CEO DIAL Global
'Engaging, authentic and easy-to-read, this book is like having your own personal career coach giving you the confidence and clarity to tackle anything. If your career has plateaued, or you're unhappy in your job but not sure what to do, then this book is essential reading.' Ruwan Kodikara, VP Sony Music
'Fiona has created a narrative to help us all understand how we can thrive in our careers and how we can help others achieve their rhythm. I highly recommend this book not just for work, but for the universal truths found within it that will help you thrive in life too.' Matthew Phelan, Author and Co-Founder The Happiness Index
More details
Person
Content
Introduction:
How abstract ideas make powerful learnings. An overview of Two Mirrors and a Cheetah as a concept and how you can use this book.
PART 1 BUILDING UNDERSTANDING
1 Know Yourself - Mirror One page 9
Exploring the many dimensions of self-awareness, why it matters and how to improve yours. Identifying the elements of your unique product map: toolkit, motivators, work style and impact.
2 Be Yourself - Mirror Two page 47
Living according to your values and defining your version of success. Seeing failure as a friend, owning your choices and changing your view of confidence. Developing your personal 'volume' switch.
3 Context - The Cheetah page 67
Understanding the role of context in your career and how it affects you. Defining your needs for a fulfilling work context. Learning how to recognise and react to change.
4 Adaptability - The Future-Proof Skill page 81
Exploring options to adapt, seek adaptation or move on. Processing a departure and moving on with new insight about yourself.
PART 2 APPLYING THE KNOWLEDGE
5 The Job Hunt page 101
Ten action steps to land your next job. Preparing your mind, materials and story. Creating opportunities, networking, being proactive and selective. Remaining true to yourself and learning throughout the process.
6 The Career Pivot page 133
Considering alternatives to the full-time employment approach.
7 The Internal Move page 139
Ten tips for building an internal career path. Learning the process, identifying growth opportunities and maintaining choice. Getting involved in the organisation and bringing your supporters on board.
8 The Promotion page 155
Transitioning successfully to the role of manager. Being a first-time manager or manager of peers.
9 The 'Bad' Manager page 159
Strategies for surviving an incompatible manager. Not blaming yourself, understanding the challenge, having open conversations, seeking neutral perspectives and moving on constructively.
10 The Coach - Helping Others page 171
Leveraging Two Mirrors and a Cheetah for your team. Helping people become more self-aware, building people up, helping people navigate change and building an inclusive environment.
11 Finding Your Rhythm page 187
Adopting the learnings of Two Mirrors and a Cheetah into your routine. Overcoming friction, accepting risks, understanding balance, remembering practice and building momentum for others.
Acknowledgements page 197
Note from the Author page 199
Additional Resources page 203
Additional Visualisation Exercises page 205
Endnotes page 209
