I WAS ONCE forced to decide as to who will lead the new division that my company was opening. After several screenings and interviews, the company's personnel division recommended the top 2 candidates. The first candidate was very professional, stickler to rules and policies of the company, principled, tough negotiator, and determined. While the other candidate aside from being professional and competent, was strict to his subordinates especially when it comes to reaching deadlines, less tough to the customers and known to give kickbacks to government employees.

     Some of the company managers urged me to hire the first candidate and they were surprised when I choose the second and I'll tell you why.

     While the first candidate was an ideal employee, I was really not sure if he could achieve the targets of the division. First, he was not tough to his subordinates when it came to their fulfillment of their targets. Sometimes, to reach their targets, he would carry part of their loads. What happened was that he had more tasks than what his subordinates had. Second, he was tough to our customers specially those who complain. He was more concerned in "protecting the company" than satisfying our customers. So I decided that he will be more effective if he remains an ideal but mere employee.

     On the other hand, the second candidate, although he had several weaknesses, had one extraordianry work attitude. He was totally focused on being successful in his job. Although he had different means of reaching success, neverthelesshe and his subordinates fufilled the tasks given to them on time. I just need to coach him and set up parameters in which he can operate successfully. I knew then that the new division can effectively and efficiently operate under him. I was right.

     I am telling you this to help you in knowing what your employers want from you - focus. An employer cannot put someone without focus in his tasks in charge of a part of his business. This is a very important trait if you as an employee would like to get promoted. However, I see so many almost ideal employees fail to learn this trait. Most of these employees are focused but not on their tasks and responsibilities but their own interests. They hold the wrong notion that being successful is to have influence or power. So they make alliances, destroy those who oppose them, and do the things not for the sake of the company but to protect themselves. Because of their selfish focus the company almost all of the time incurs waste or losses.

     So learn how to focus on the things the comany expects from you and not what you need from the company. Focus on the objectives and how to go around the barriers along the way. By developing focus as a habit and as an attitude, you will make your jobs easier and faster to fulfill and your superiors are bound to notice and appreciate your importance to the company. This learned and practiced habit shall greatly help you when job promotions ar salary raises come up.