Ostensibly a book for those looking for a new job, this volume concerns attitude to work in a wider context. It makes the point that what employers look for is a good mind-set. This includes qualities such as integrity, tenacity, goodwill, agility, openness, and perspective.
Mind-set trumps skills in many ways, according to the authors, who back up their analysis with their own research amongst employers. Given the choice between someone with the desired mind-set and someone with the complete skillset who lacks the desired mind-set, 96 per cent said that they would prefer the former.
One of the reasons why more and more American and European MBA programmes send their students to India and China as a required part of their programme is to jar them loose from complacency, the book notes. One they confront the vibrant intensity of the entrepreneurial, determined possibility fuelled young people they meet in these countries, they suddenly realise what they are up against.
The book provides readers with a way of gauging their mind-set, tips for strengthening it and ideas for how to apply the best of your mind-set to get, then advance and flourish in, the best jobs. There are some interesting perspectives here too from senior HR professionals around the world about the changing nature of work and what employers and employees are now looking for.