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Cooperation

Leadership and teamwork are important. So is self-mastery.

However, I think I'm more interested in cooperation these days: how do people and teams who are DIFFERENT work well together: cooperatively.

My Dad worked with farmers' cooperatives: groups of farmers who shared best practices with each other. You'd think their primary relationship with each other would be competition. Yet all the industry associations tell us differently: we are so much stronger together than apart (even if we are competing.)

My young friends in corporate America seem (as I did when I was 20-21) to believe that there are limited spots for the best and selected. I really cheer them on towards working with each other on their job searches. As Pooh says, "it's so much better with two."

Join with someone else who's also seeking what you seek. Pick your fave five and do the vulnerable work of sharing your dreams and passion, and what you want to do with your life. Your peer support is crucial. You can be the inspiration and support to someone who's down about their search and then later they'll pull you up. Share each others' contacts--use LinkedIn or something like that to see who you know who may help them in their search. Set up a weekly or even monthly check-in to motivate you to take actions on your behalf. And most of all, remember, relationships are the key to career success.

Search effectively, Work well and Live abundantly.

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