Every company calls these things something different:

• Operations Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Business Process Improvement Analyst
• Continuous Improvement Team Lead
• Performance Improvement Analyst
• Internal Consultant or Analyst
• Business Transition Consultant or Analyst

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years

Ambition is a transitional property. Certain qualities feed it while other outcomes result from it, like soil about a seed. Just as with hosting and nurturing that seed, ambition must be activated, not realized.

Who said that? No one. I wrote it in my Fitness for Ambition blog post.

Describe Yourself

An MBA (Strategy) I am a cerebral type, a closet academician. Work matters to me. Standards matter to me. Others’ comprehension matters to me. Holism matters as much as do the details.

At the same time, like a professor, I can be laid back, I can own a room, be funny, explain, collaborate with colleagues or keep his head down to focus on the work. Oh, and I also enjoy writing, researching and teaching/training others.

Analysis is a pastime. Perspective is a conversational prompt, and a reason to listen. I believe this makes me a good analyst.

How Might I Think of You As A Future Employee?

My career has taught me. What motivates me is that I care deeply about helping people do their best professional work. Were I a some sort of hero, then I wouldn’t save the day. I’d I like to think that I could see invisible [business] problems, make them visible, and help solve them or motivate others with different talents to do so.

Basketball in my youth still has influence. Were I practicing in the sports world, then I would prefer to be a coach. Were I to operate on the field of play, I would either set up others to score or be a specialist who values practice. I’d be a reliable teammate and a good sportsman. Competition has never excited me. What does is pushing myself and others to be their best to pursue the goal every day. Never the superstar. Always a facilitator.

Anything Else?

In my future role, whether tasked to concentrate on improvement strategies, encouraging professional development, or just being candid when it matters, I know 2 truths:

1. Specialty coffee is to me what spinach was to Popeye.
2. While I enjoy technology, I oftentimes prefer a good fountain pen! 🖋️