Cameron-Brooks Alumni Partner to Make a Difference in a Patient’s Life

When I meet with junior military officers (JMOs) to discuss a possible transition from military to business, I often hear them express the concern of finding a career where they feel they will make a difference.  I understand this since these JMOs have been serving our country, fighting the war on terror, and defending our freedom.  When I was a JMO considering a transition, I remember Cameron-Brooks Recruiter Steve Sosland telling me that I would find new ways to serve others and have worthwhile work in my career.  Frequently, Cameron-Brooks Alumni share with me how they are making an impact in their careers and making a difference in people’s lives.  Yesterday, an alumnus called to tell me the difference that he and a Cameron-Brooks Alumna had made in a patient’s life that day.

Dan, the Cameron-Brooks Alumnus to whom I am referring, is a Clinical Specialist with a leading medical device company in their neuromodulation division in south Florida.  Neuromodulation is a therapy that uses microelectronic devices implanted in a patient’s back with leads (wires) that go into the spine.  The microelectronic device sends electricity through the leads into the spine and this electricity creates a tingling sensation that masks debilitating pain.  Dan was called into an emergency case last week where a patient with a heart pacemaker also needed a neuromodulation device for pain management.  A pacemaker uses similar technology to neuromodulation stimulation where a microelectronic device sends electricity through leads to the heart to synchronize an irregular heartbeat.  Pacemakers are cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices and sold and supported by another division of the company.  Because the devices both use microelectronic stimulation they can interfere with one another if not implanted properly.  The procedure for the patient would require a representative from both divisions of the company to advise the physician.  It just so happens that the CRM Field Clinical Representative in south Florida, Laura, is a Cameron-Brooks Alumna.  (By coincidence, both alumni also attended the November 2008 Career Conference.)

In the procedure, the two Cameron-Brooks Alumni, Dan and Laura, guided the surgeon on implanting and synchronizing the devices, ensuring the patient had an effective and life saving pacemaker and a neuromodulation device.  When Dan and Laura completed the procedure, they shared with one another how much they enjoyed their careers and discussed how Cameron-Brooks facilitated their transition which ultimately played a part in this procedure, impacting the patient and physician.  Later that day, Dan called me to share the story. 

This story not only points to the fact that, yes, JMOs can find value in their work outside of the military, but also illustrates the Cameron-Brooks partnership of facilitating a win for our clients, a win for our candidates and ultimately a win for Cameron-Brooks.

Joel Junker

Turning Failure Into a Positive

“It’s okay to fail.”  It’s still hard for me to accept that; and for most JMOs in the Cameron-Brooks program and for Cameron-Brooks alumni, I imagine that is true as well.  It takes a tremendous amount of maturity, self-insight and self-confidence to handle failure the correct way. 

Here is what I have learned about failure.

1.  If I don’t occasionally fail, it means I am not setting high enough goals.  Those who have seen me before, know that I am a body builder.  Just kidding!  However, I do lift weights 3 times a week for exercise.  To get the maximum benefit, I have to conduct weight lifting exercises that really fatigue my muscles. Sometimes I go to failure.  This means I have gone beyond my comfort zone, the easy part.

2.  Failure can lead to a few steps backward but eventually to growth.  Using my weightlifting analogy again, when I hit failure, I back off 10  to 15 lbs then the following week  work my way back up.  Within a week or two I surpass the point where I previously failed.  (I know, those of you who really know me have to be thinking, “You don’t look like you know anything about weightlifting.”)  Failing in business, the military, leadership, or another endeavor is the same when you stop and evaluate the failure, identify what happened/what went wrong, and apply the lesson.  Initially, it takes time to  recover from the failure, but you will carry that lesson into the future and be that much stronger.

3. Failure requires self-confidence.  Once again, in weightlifting, when I lift weights I am not trying to impress people with how much I lift but rather focus on my form, health and fitness.  I am not afraid to fail with less weight than the person next to me in the gym.  I use this same philosophy to approach my work.  When a project or conversation with a company or JMO candidate doesn’t meet expectations or achieves poor results, I take time to analyze why, and this includes asking peers and superiors for their insight.  Is it initially frustrating, maddening, disappointing or embarrassing to fail?  Absolutely.  I am a perfectionist, but improving has become more important than impressing others. 

4.  I share failures just like I share successes.  I am constantly sharing lessons I learned from my failures with teammates at Cameron-Brooks, our candidates and my children.  I do this for several reasons.  First, I learned from other people who shared their failures with me.  I didn’t have to make their mistakes, and instead I am making new ones!  Second, it lets others know it is okay to fail.  Third, sharing failures can lift others.  I know that last is unique but I find it helps others to see that they are not alone, “To err is human.”

Here is a link to a GREAT and short video from the Wall Street Journal about failure.  This link inspired me to write this post.  http://m.wsj.net/video/20091013/101309dysonfailure/101309dysonfailure_320k.mp4

Joel Junker

How do you impact the bottom line?

Last week, I had dinner with a Cameron-Brooks alumnus who made the transition from the military to corporate America 3 years ago.  He now works for a Fortune 300 company in the Process Excellence organization. 

I asked him what he is currently working on.  He went on to explain how in this current economic environment it is critical that everyone is focused on the company’s core business and delivering results and value.  He mentioned that during the economic expansion of the last 6 years, the company did not pay enough attention to core processes and positions that truly added value.  As a result, there are some inefficiencies, redundant work and people not focused on bottom line results.

What’s this alumnus doing now?  He is meeting with individuals to identify opportunities to streamline operations and create more value.  He is asking them three questions:  Who are you?  What are your key responsibilities?  How do you bring value and results to the company? 

Wow!  What great questions.

Ask yourself those questions.  If you can define your responsibilities and understand how they impact your organization, great.  If you are in a team leadership position, could your team members answer these questions?  If you or your team members can’t answer the questions succinctly and with conviction, take time to evaluate and re-prioritize your work.  Add value every day.

Joel Junker