Dave Ramsey Working in Your Strengths (Class 11 of 13)

Dave Ramsey believes that we should find fulfillment in our jobs. I can’t find the quote but once I saw Dave quoted as saying, “If the first thing you would do if you won the lottery is quit your job, you are in the wrong job.” Strong medicine, by that definition how many of us are in the wrong job?

Dave Ramsey begins with the bad news. The era of the “good job” is over. He observes the average job lasts only 2.1 years, less than the average NFL career. The great corporations are using low wage workers in foreign countries, automation, and computer based knowledge systems to replace American employees. Then the good news, in the decade prior to the 2008 crash small business was creating twice as many jobs as large business was eliminating. Dave Ramsey, as an entrepreneur believes that working for small business or better yet, creating a small business is the wave of the future.

Then the class changes gears. Dave discusses the psychology of success. He believes that who you are should direct where you should be in the work a day world. He believes that our basic personality and strengths (talents) never change. He does not believe that we will ever grow enough in areas of personal weakness to become a success in one of those areas. Dave Ramsey does not want to be a well rounded person. He wants to be excellent in some particular area related to his strengths. Obviously, Dave Ramsey would allow that earning enough money is important, but he states that money is ultimately never enough compensation for doing a job. He encourages his listeners to, “Find something that blends your skills, abilities, personality traits, values, dreams, and passions."

Dave Ramsey recommends the DISC personality profile as a useful tool to understanding your personality. Free versions of this test can be found on the Internet. The test divides people into 4 general categories.

D-Dominant This person is the lion, a hard charging people eating leader.

I-Influencing This person is the otter, a fun loving, playful, people pleaser.

S-Stable This person is the Golden Retriever, a loyal, amiable, stable easy going type that enjoys a slow pace.

C-Compliant The person is the beaver. A focused, detail oriented structural engineer that loves procedures and well defined processes.

Next Dave tackles the problem of finding a job. He starts by reminding the audience they will be hired if and only if an employer believes that they will solve his problem. An employer is not interested in solving your problems. Using his background in sales, he recommends the following approach. Locate a target and develop a strategy. Talk to people who work at the target company. Research the company. Learn all you can about their culture, business, and financial condition.

Then send a letter of introduction (without a resume) to your target. Tell them you think they are great and you want to submit a resume on such and such a date. Then send the resume and cover letter. In the cover letter, tell the company you will call them on such and such a day at such and such a time. AND THEN DO IT. Dave believes that except for the Government and very large bureaucratic corporation persistent follow-up and networking is more important than anything else in finding your dream job.

His advice concerning interviews is pretty standard stuff. Look like the people who work at the target company, cut your hair like those people, dress like those people, be on time, address everyone by their name, offer “a firm confident handshake, and maintain eye contact at all times.” He contends research indicates that most hiring decisions, especially in small businesses are made in the first 30 seconds of the interview. After an interview send a simple thank you note to the interviewer.

Dave spends a little time promoting the dreaded part time job to kick start your financial life. These are jobs that you do not want, but a temporary sacrifice you are willing to make to reach the next level.

He ends with his favorite inspirational poem, An American Creed by Dean Alfange. Look up a biography of this guy. You will be surprised.

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man
It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.
I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”