What is your career outlook?

Everyone's outlook on life is different. Different outlooks lead to different journeys, goals and dreams for life. Your life tends to respond to your outlook and shapes itself to meet your expectations. And so does your career outlook.

Career outlooks can be classified in two distinct categories – underling and magnate types.  Both of them differ a lot, but the prime difference is in the methodology to dealing with perils, gambles, probabilities and stakes. An analogous issue is that pertaining to dealing with slip-ups, gaffes and errors; and as a consequence thereof, botches and fiascos too.

· Underling-type outlook: An underling is a plain member of staff and his role is generally to not err in any form. He or she is always expected to adhere to rules and regulations; obey instructions and directions; and apply his or her expertise in the most appropriate manner. An underling is supposed to be remain on the right side of everything – management and working rubrics alike. They simply cannot go about ‘playing with fire’ or go to extremes; in fact, no such endeavours will ever receive support. And should any employee attempt to do so, it will be viewed as a repelling and rebelling action that can even lead to dismissal.

· Magnate-type outlook: A magnate is a great impresario and is inclined to “play with fire”. A person with this disposition will be more ready to take risks, question the existing state of affairs and trudge on new paths that occasionally can also be rather weird. Now such an outlook can lead to slipups and fiascos, but a person with this outlook will be prepared for them and will remain accountable for the same. It is not that people who harbour a magnate-type outlook are wild and irresponsible; as a matter of fact, they take premeditated risks that have the potential of offering huge profits and advantages over a period of time. There will be occasions when things may backfire. The magnate-type outlook ensures persistence in the face of difficulties and if things do fail, lessons are learnt and interruptions are overcome. The forward journey on the road to progress thus continues.

How does the above connect with your career? A comparison between the two outlooks can be 

applied to your overall approach towards your life and career both. It is in no way intended to make 

you decide to adopt outlooks of either an underling or a magnate. But you need to reflect on them for 

the influence that can be exerted on your general approach towards your life in general and work in 

particular. But do you identify yourself with any of the said outlooks? If so, which one?

When you begin to contemplate on your career and the possible new course that its compass could 

be set on, do you find yourself sneaking into either the magnate-type or underling-type outlook? 

Introspect and find honest responses to the following two sets of questions:

· Set A

ü Do ideas, mediations or deliberations of any change being brought about in your work routine and every other thing contingent on it prompt you to ponder over the exciting prospects that could be existing on the other side of the fence?

ü If yes, then are you willing to shed conventional beliefs and take recourse to uncompromising partings from your present work?

ü Are you disposed to taking the first step in this context straightaway and are geared up to tackle issues as they unfold?

ü Do you have any reservations in chasing chances and occasions over your continuing protection or wellbeing?

· Set B

ü Are you apprehensive about what and how you should be doing things?

ü Do you worry about doing things in the right manner to attain proper outcomes?

ü Do you feel that in your quest for a better career, you need to have everything pre-planned before you take off?

ü Do you suffer from a zero-error syndrome and do not want to commit any slip-up for fear of lowering your image in the eyes of others?

ü Does your need for security hinder your chances of identifying and clutching opportunities?

If your responses are yes to most questions in Set A, then you harbour a magnate-type outlook. Likewise, positive responses to questions in Set B indicate your underling-type outlook. One of them will come more obviously than the other.

You will, by this time come to know that a person who has a magnate-type outlook, is more inclined to clinch prospects of changes, modifications and alterations in his or her career. More importantly, this will be done very confidently and optimistically. He or she would remain ahead in terms of time and distance vis-à-vis a counterpart harbouring an underling-type outlook.

In the light of the above, you need to adopt a magnate-type outlook in your work life, particularly if you happen to be afflicted with some vagueness and ambiguity. The changeover may not be a cakewalk, but will be worth its price in gold. Remember that in this world, change is inevitable and that it should be approached optimistically and confidently.