Another thought from my stay in Chicago at the ACHE meeting. Over the years, I have discussed this situation with many candidates and interestingly it has come up several times over the last month.

When you are with an organization and you've reached the crossroads. The crossroads being “I'm not getting out of this position/job what I have in the past, I am no longer enjoying the journey.” You have three choices… But let me preface this by saying, usually when you are thinking in this direction, your work situation has already become somewhat more stressful. So choice one becomes continue on and put up with stress. Not typically a good decision and why? This situation will eventually lead to both mental and physical challenges because it doesn't support or meet your needs or desires. Choice two; Make a decision to leave and transition to a new organization. Not a particularly bad choice, but not always the best choice depending on the situation. We often leave before we should or we leave too late. There is a great deal to be learned by working through these types of situations before you make a decision to leave. I've seen people negatively impact their own stability because of their inability to adjust to these types of situations. And choice three (always the best); work on your own perception of the situation and change it in order to make it work. Will this always be the case? Absolutely not, some situations require a change.

The point I'm trying to make is this – we have three choices but we tend to carry on living with the situation or leaving the organization. Both of these have the potential for negative impact. We are not spending enough time on adjusting our perception and looking at ways to grow within our current organization. Why do we not do this? Because we don't understand the process, we’re afraid or apprehensive about asking the tough questions, we may not like what we're hearing or we may be unwilling to change. But you can learn more from taking this path than you will ever learn from choosing the other two. This choice will force you to be introspective and get a better understanding of who you are and how you're viewed within your existing organization. And even if you still decide to leave, you will do it, knowing that you made the right choice.

I recently came back from the American College of Healthcare Executives meeting in Chicago. I go every year and always enjoy my time there, especially this year when the temperatures reached every day somewhere between 75 and 85°. I always take this time to meet with as many executives I have connected with in the past and I use it as an opportunity to connect with those I have not.

I did meet with one gentleman who provided me with some feedback and even though I was already aware of it, it really struck a chord. He shared with me how people network with some of the things he finds to many to a complete turn off. 70% plus of the jobs are found networking and we spend so little time on it and we do it so ineffectively.

• We continue to circumvent the process and go right for the kill
• We sound desperate
• We expect people who don't even know us to refer us to people that are important to them or opportunities they have a vested interest
• We want it all in one meeting
• We see it as all about us, no concept of reciprocity
• We do not see it as important that we bring value to the meeting also

• Networking is not transactional, it is relationship driven
• It's only purpose is not just to find a job opportunity
• It's about connecting with people – not just networking. Networking can be very shallow
• It needs to be seen as a process, not a one-time deal
• It needs to be reciprocal, even if it means only asking the question, “How can I help you?”
• We need to cast a wider net, a more informational approach. Make it easy for people to want to talk to you. If you never connect with them you can never build a relationship.
• Be sincere
• Focus on what you can control

Jim, I want to publically thank you for your efforts on my behalf over the years. (This is long overdue by the way.) The network has been extremely valuable in a number of ways. From a professional point of view I have met many network members from whom I have gained knowledge which has been both educational and personally rewarding. Certainly my own network has benefitted significantly as a result.

Over the years I have also been able to tap into your network in order to fill executive level positions. In many cases your personal recommendation has been the key to a final decision regarding a person. It is gratifying to see these individuals grow and mature into talented leaders.

Most recently I depended on the network again in an effort to quickly identify experts who could assist with due diligence. You were able to recommend a number of folks with whom I have been in touch. Although this particular effort did not materialize, I believe you have provided a core group of experts on whom I could call in the future.

You may also remember that, almost 10 years ago, you were the primary influence in assisting me through a personal transition. All you asked in return was that I be willing to talk with others who might benefit from my experiences and knowledge. I hope I have met your expectations in that regard. These contacts have benefitted me as well.

Warmest personal regards,
Dave Bussone

So many of you inquired about my run in Denver that I felt compelled to give a report for those that did inquire, but also for those who may not have known about it. This will prevent me from missing someone.

Rick Newsome and I had run a marathon relay back in October. I ran the shortest leg and was amazed at how much the altitude affected that short 3.2 mile run.   Rick asked me if I wanted to run the Colfax half marathon in May. Though incredibly apprehensive, I appreciated his gracious invitation and accepted. You must understand that Houston sits at 20-50 feet above sea level and Atlanta and North Georgia around 1,000 to 1,800 feet above sea level. Then there is Denver at 5,280 feet and the memory of my short, somewhat painful previous run.

I never could get a straight answer on how to best approach this other than you will probably never adjust to the elevation even if you go out early. The best I could do was to arrive 12 days early and, because of two friends Deb and Bill Pollick, I was able to train at 8,500 to 9,000 feet. I believed at the time that this would benefit me more. What was really interesting was as the event got closer, more and more people stepped up with information and articles on how to best approach the run. The approach I took based on that information and the wonderful people that supplied it was as follows:

• Hydrate – I drank 96 ounces of water and G2 each day
• Minimize or eliminate coffee and alcohol – I chose to minimize
• Run at about 80% of your top mileage speed
• Focus on cumulative mileage but get in one long run each week
• Eat more carbs – which I did
• Fourteen days minimal time to adjust to altitude – I only had 12

My 10 days in training prior to the event were agonizing, both mentally and physically, because when I started I almost coughed up a lung. I told myself at one point when my training was not going well that it was not necessary for me to run. It would be wiser to pull out. But, as is typical both in life and this kind of preparation, all can change on a daily basis if you’re putting the numbers in. And, in this case, it did. Incrementally, it got better daily though there were occasional setbacks. My favorite saying became “in Houston, I never got winded, but my legs got tired, in Denver my legs never get tired, but I do get winded. It makes you feel like every mile was the last mile.

Even up to the day before the event, I had my doubts, but to my surprise I not only never got winded, I ran my best time in the half marathon to date. I want to thank Rick Newsome for inviting me, and Deb and Bill Pollick for providing the perfect place to train and still work with my clients.

What did I learn from this adventure?

• Collect data
• Develop a plan
• Work your plan
• Keep the faith
• Have fun
• Have a support group

A client sent me this email:
"Jim, I had a great recent success story with LinkedIn. Several months ago, I mistakenly sent LinkedIn invites to all of my email contacts! Several responded and "linkedIn." I recently updated my LinkedIn profile with my new interim position, and to my surprise LinkedIn sent messages to all of my contacts of my new role, to which I have rec'd 50+ "Congratulations" responses - all from a mistake I made several months ago. What a neat way to stay in touch with my network!"

The strength of this message wasn't how much LinkedIn did for him but showed how much personal networking he has done to get this type of response. This client has a relationship with these 50+ people or they would not have taken the time to send their congratulations. That is networking in its truest form.

In the beginning of their transition, most of our clients have a neglected personal network and struggle to pick up the phone and call their colleagues or past business associates Fortunately we have a tremendous network of healthcare executives across the country to introduce them to, growing each of our "circles of influence." Not once in my almost twenty years of executive outplacement and coaching can I remember someone telling me "networking doesn't work," instead more often than not we are told, "It's much easier than I thought! The names you gave me were so helpful, I think I can do this!"

Try it, and tell me your success stories....

Jim's blog about the holidays being a great time for connection - proved out in spades for me. However, now that it's January, one could accomplish the same thing - very soon - using a wish for a happy new year to your contacts! And then, if you can't do this now, you can always do - 1)Ground Hog Day, 2) St. Paddy's Day, 3) or?

Before the holidays I wrote 137 customized emails - each personalized, either reflecting a conversation, something about the person, something I felt about Christmas, or a simple but heartfelt expression of gratitude I reflected that our profession had proven out all over again as a great one to be in....because of the people. The 137 emails took some time....I did about 15 or so every day, trying to keep them fresh. It helps to actually stop for a moment and experience the sense of gratitude. I also used "happy holiddays" in place of "Merry Christmas" about half the time to be inclusive of all the holidays in December, not just Christmas.

To my huge surprise, I received 50 replies! Numerous people wished me happy holidays in return, or inquired about my search, or said "keep me in the loop" - the perfect phrase you want to hear, setting the table for a return call. At least one hinted at something in the works - we will see what happens One person responded with an invitation to a free but hugely valuable and very "exclusive" seminar for her clients of her strategy firm - to "help me network". You will have the same experience, I am sure.

The key is to personalize and to place your heart into the email if it's indeed a reflective time....another way to do the same thing is to tell a great story, perhaps about something that happened in your life or in your job, that is inspiring - and to share that story just to bring a smile to the other person's face. If it's a story that ends, "this is why we are in healthcare and this is why you help has meant a lot", you will really reap dividends.

I don't know about you, but I always stop to read an inspiring note or story - we need them.

The time to kick your transition work into high gear is right now, while everyone is celebrating. The minute you finish reading this get out your list of healthcare executives you know.
Why? December is the very best time to raise your visibility and re-establish connections, personal AND professional. Don’t bring an agenda, apart from extending cheer and good will. Hand write a short note in a holiday card, even if it is just to say you hope they have a prosperous new year.  And hand address the envelope too.  Don’t ask about job opportunities, instead sincerely ask about them.  If you only know their email address send them a personalize note that way. But send something so they know you are thinking of them.
If you are asked about your work or your search, be ready with a short, honest and upbeat answer. Of course, follow the conversation if your colleague wants to talk about work, but don’t press it. This is networking of the joyful kind – strengthening bonds to your family, friends and community that will nourish you the rest of the year.