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In our think economy, thinking is valued.

Thinking is what employers are buying and they are willing to buy your mind and ability. Employers also know that you are unique. While they might start with a basic structure of skills in mind when they post a high level job, they are ready and willing to tweak this job description to meet your unique qualifications and strengths. This means we need to switch our mindset. We have more ability to shape our future today than ever. To do this, we must be proactive in letting companies know our skills and strengths.

The jobs of today are shifting quickly, and simultaneously, companies are realizing that a well-rounded employee is actually not as valuable as one with a jagged profile. This is good news for all of us. While we all have strengths, we do have tasks and skills that we excel at and those we don’t. With a jagged profile, it allows us to be ourselves and truly use our strengths to be our best.

What is a jagged profile?

Todd Rose, in his book, The Myth of Average, talks about a jagged profile. It is a new way of looking at people that allows and celebrates individuals. A jagged profile gets rid of the one size fits all, for both employees and job descriptions. Companies that are on the cutting edge recognize that not everyone can be measured with the same scale. These companies are getting rid of the traditional employee reviews and instead favor working with individuals to develop their style and unique perspective. I predict we will see the rise of the jagged profile in how we source and review employees.

Here is an example of a jagged profile:


This jagged profile is what gives candidates more power than they realize when applying for a job. While many of us can do a large variety of tasks, there are things that we are better at, and enjoy doing. When we focus on these things and openly share them, employers can help you craft the perfect job for you.

This not saying that sometimes you will not need to take out the garbage, but more than likely you can create a job where 80% of the time you are working in your highest impact area.

It’s all about impact. Great leaders know that you have the most impact when you are working in your strengths and passions.

Don’t be afraid of sharing these qualities openly. You might be surprised at the results: A job that you love and that creates maximum impact for your company.

Tell us about a time you allowed yourself to show your jagged profile and it worked great!

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