GEO Principle Blog: In the work world, think about what you have to offer

There are at least a couple of ways to approach the commercial arena. One way is to look at the job market and ask "What can I get?" Another way is to look at the world and ask "What can I offer?"

Most people try to figure out what they can get because the culture conditions us to approach the commercial arena with this attitude. We study in trade school or college with the idea of getting the best job possible. We write our resumes and sit for interviews in hopes of getting the best job possible. And once a job is offered, we work very hard to get the best salary, best benefits and best retirement package.

This approach accepts the world pretty much as it is, and it says "I am going to work hard to fit into that world so I can make the most for myself." I am guessing that this is what 90 percent of the workforce does, and surveys regularly tell us that as many as 70 percent of the people in the workforce dislike their jobs.

I like the "what can if offer" approach. This approach doesn't start by looking out at the job market, this approach starts by looking in at yourself. You figure out what you are good at, and what your strengths are. You figure out what you have to offer to the world. Once you figure that out, you look for ways to offer it. That may be through an existing job, but it might be through a new venture you create. This approach isn't so much about fitting into the existing job market, as it is about shaping the world according to who you are.

The "what can I offer" approach is based on a certain amount of faith in the world. You believe that the world will compensate you fairly for what you have to offer. But the focus is on what you are offering more than it is on what you are being offered.

The "what can I offer" approach is a foundation of entrepreneurship. I haven't seen any surveys on how many entrepreneurs like their work, but I would bet that is is much higher than 30 percent.

In order for the commercial arena to work properly, everyone has to give some and get some; but I think your starting point makes a big difference. The opportunity for workplace satisfaction is much greater if you start with the giving part of that equation rather than the getting part.