When a Door is Closed to Your Next Advancement Opportunity (Lessons from a Potential Jeopardy! Host)

Have you ever expressed interest in a job and weren’t even given a chance??

This week, CNN Anchor Laura Coates talked about her Jeopardy! snub after host Alex Trebek had explicitly named her a potential replacement for his job.?

I’m a huge game show fan, and there is no question that last year’s host search on Jeopardy! was a debacle.?

Before Alex Trebek’s passing, he was frequently asked who he wanted to take the helm of the Jeopardy! podium when he retired or no longer was able to host the show. While he admitted he had no say in the matter, but specifically said that he thought it was time for a woman to host the show named Laura Coates.?

He also mentioned Alex Faust, the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Team announcer, because they had the same first name, and he thought he had a good voice.?

It makes sense that when you hear you are on the “shortlist,” you would expect to get a call to interview. But she didn’t.?

Laura Coates talked about this with Tamron Hall yesterday while promoting her new book.

(You can jump to the 8:30 mark to listen to that section.)

It’s not easy taking the high road.?

It can be pretty difficult, given your thoughts and emotions around a circumstance or situation.?

However, there is a story we tell ourselves, and there is a story we tell others.?

That’s where the “high road” comes into play, and I believe Laura did so gracefully and professionally.

Laura said, “I asked for the opportunity when it came time when?

they were looking for people to possibly fill in. I certainly raised my hand?

and knocked on doors and found them closed. And I asked for the

opportunity, and I was told, ‘no,’ which is one of those moments, Tamron,?

when you have to remember to wear your own jersey.?

You have to remember to continue to be your own champion…”?

Read that last line again, “You have to remember to continue to be your own champion.”

As you head into your annual performance appraisal meeting or your next check-in meeting, treat these as essential meetings and not “check-the-box” compliance meetings that don’t carry any weight or importance.?

You must be responsible for your professional development.?

Your manager or company isn’t responsible for your training and leveling up your skills.?

You must advocate for what you need and what you want to learn.?

And if you aren’t planning on staying at your current organization for the rest of your career, take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn and enhance those skills. Your company will directly benefit from your learning, and if you decide to leave, your new company will appreciate them by seeing you as a more highly-valued candidate.?

Next Wednesday – January 26, 2022, at 12:00 pm Eastern, I’ll be hosting a webinar entitled?“Four Tips to Help You Plan for Your Performance Appraisal Conversation.”

As a former hiring manager and team leader, I never treated these conversations lightly. And as an employee, I always looked forward to these conversations because I cared about and was focused on my professional development.?

In this webinar, you’ll learn four tips to help you structure, plan, and execute the conversation competently and confidently about your performance, promotion potential, or any next steps you need to consider.?

To register for this webinar,?click here and get friendly reminders about when the webinar will begin.

There will be time allocated for Q&A. Please bring your questions! You don’t have to dread or worry about this conversation. Let me help you make this experience different.?

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This Week on The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

Coming from a Place of Value and Service in Your Career with Arla Lyles

I met?Arla Lyles ?through a mutual connection, and I was honored I had the opportunity to interview her on my podcast.?

Arla is one of the most introspective people I’ve ever met.?

She’s pensive and reflective.?

She appreciates every step of her career as part of her journey to help her get where she is today.?

Arla found ways to grow her career and be there for her family. And every job Arla held, she came from a place of value and service – that means she gave it her all and was grateful for each opportunity. And those opportunities created the next ones, and so on.?

From substitute lunch lady to parent coach and advocate, Arla Lyles is an inspiration and empowering force to help you build Your Mid-Career GPS.

In this episode, Arla Lyles and I talk about:

·??????How to be of service when you are an employee

·??????Advice for making the “right” choice for your career

·??????Balancing work and family

·??????Allowing yourself to make mistakes in your career

·??????Being open to new opportunities at whatever stage in your career.?

To listen, click here or find “The Mid-Career GPS Podcast” on your favorite listening platform.

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Consider Adding John’s Books to Your 2022 Reading List

Reading lists are personal and protected. I’m always honored when someone puts my book on their reading list. I consider it an honor.?

Books tell stories. Both of my books are designed to help you navigate your career transition and life so you can create your next advancement opportunity.?

Head on over to Amazon or your local bookseller to get a copy of?

Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next ?and?

SHOW UP – Six Strategies to Help You Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career.

And both books are available on Kindle Unlimited as well!