What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career ...
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
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TAGS: BY TRUEU | JUN. 15, 2016
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers How is your mindset affecting your career trajectory? While it’s important to master the mechanics of your daily job activities, what you tell yourself can make or break how successful you really are. Thanks to a trueU member, I recently saw Joan Lunden – morning show host pioneer, intrepid journalist, cancer survivor – deliver the keynote speech at the first trueU conference, trueUnite trueUnite. She shared how she busted through thick-as-brick walls to reach her career goals, demonstrating it is how you champion yourself that matters.
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
trueUnite: May the Fourth Be With You Finding Service in the trueU Community Moving Beyond Theory to Practice and Results! 3 Questions to Ensure the Right Hiring Fit
Page 1 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
Here are the mantras she used that cleared the path. Adopt them. They are free for the taking: “If you want to play the game, find a way to get on the playing field.” After Lunden graduated college, a family friend in TV suggested Joan apply for a job at a local TV station. In spite of the fact there was no actual job opening and she lacked relevant experience, she showed up at the TV station the following day and requested an interview and an audition. Afterwards, they told her, “Nice job. Except we don’t actually have an opening.” The weatherman there noticed her audition, and was impressed. He recommended her to another station, where she became the first female “weather girl” ever hired in Southern California. Lunden was not thrilled being a “weather girl” because: 1. She knew nothing about weather 2. She had to wear a tight, white mini-dress and white lace-up boots (this was the early 70’s). Nevertheless she was determined to break into TV. Intuitively she knew this role was her ticket to landing a job she could eventually sink her teeth into. As you chart your career, aim toward your future. When less-thanideal opportunities land in your lap, ask yourself: Will this opportunity provide either skills or connections to others which will move me forward? Lunden reasoned the “weather girl” role was her ticket. It gave her exposure in front of a camera, strengthened her poise, and taught her to think on her feet.
6/20/16 11:53 AM
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Lunden landed on the right playing field, then bolted to 2nd base, but she had to embrace the idea that . . . “Sometimes you have to take the risk of not being great in order to learn how to be great.”
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
Page 2 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
6/20/16 11:53 AM
Lunden’s popularity grew quickly after taking the weather girl job. Within 6 months, 6 stations across the country offered her a job. Not sure what to do next, she asked the same family friend for advice. He recommended she speak to his network executive friend in New York. When the executive found out she had 6 offers, he offered her a job, as a journalist. Something she’d never done before. Fortunately, Joan had a nurturing “inner champion” who said, Say yes, then figure it out. Many of us lack an audible “inner champion,” and instead listen to our (really loud) “inner thwarter,” who says, I can’t do this job because I’m not qualified! or, I have no experience doing that, or I’ll fail! Sound familiar? What would be possible if you let yourself be a beginner at something you’re excited about? Imagine this: Decca records rejected the Beatles, telling them “We don’t like your sound. You have no future in show business.” It’s helpful to remember The Beatles weren’t always The Beatles. Lunden accepted the journalism job. On the first day, a cameraman asked Lunden, “How many magazines will you need?,” referring to the film reel holder. She said, “Oh, I probably won’t have time to read magazines today.” They burst out laughing and took her under their wing. And thanks to them, she learned about journalism. “Take every small assignment and make it shine. And then you will grow.” After Lunden landed the coveted morning host spot on Good Morning America, Barbara Walters took her aside and gave her the advice above. Walters chose not to fight the male-dominant TV culture (Lunden’s 2 predecessors fought it and were let go). Sure enough, Lunden’s initial assignments were about homeimprovement, parenting, and consumer products, all topics she actually loved. She researched like a fiend, adding her own unique spin, and her work gained attention. Eventually she landed interviews on par with her male counterparts, reporting from 16 countries, interviewing 5 U.S. presidents, and covering 5 Olympic Games.
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
Page 3 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
6/20/16 11:53 AM
While Lunden clearly had good mentors who helped her along, she hit roadblocks that might intimidate the best of us. She hurdled the roadblocks because she followed the wisdom of her positive, inner champion. Lunden models for us, be mindful of what you tell yourself. It may just come true. Written by Julie Bondy Roberts, Come Alive Career Coaching.
RECENT BLOG POSTS What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers How is your mindset affecting your career trajectory? While it's important Read More
trueU – The Journey Continues This next year is an exciting one for the Read More
UPCOMING EVENTS Wellness: Ask Arin June 22, 2016 | View Details
DISC 101: Getting to Know Me June 24, 2016 | View Details
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Not quite ready to join trueU? You can still get monthly insights on personal development and employee engagement with our newsletter. Sign up now!
Goal Setting: Goal Hard or Goal Home July 01, 2016 | View Details
Wellness: Nutrition – Understand the Why July 20, 2016 | View Details
You Get What You Give This guest blog by Jill Lehman, Chief People Officer, Ontario Systems and Read More
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
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CONTACT US For more information, contact Kim Graham Lee at 317-957-3431 or [email protected].
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BACK TO LISTING
6/20/16 11:53 AM
Search Our Blog Search by Category Search by keywords
Most Read Posts
TAGS: BY TRUEU | JUN. 15, 2016
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers How is your mindset affecting your career trajectory? While it’s important to master the mechanics of your daily job activities, what you tell yourself can make or break how successful you really are. Thanks to a trueU member, I recently saw Joan Lunden – morning show host pioneer, intrepid journalist, cancer survivor – deliver the keynote speech at the first trueU conference, trueUnite trueUnite. She shared how she busted through thick-as-brick walls to reach her career goals, demonstrating it is how you champion yourself that matters.
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
trueUnite: May the Fourth Be With You Finding Service in the trueU Community Moving Beyond Theory to Practice and Results! 3 Questions to Ensure the Right Hiring Fit
Page 1 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
Here are the mantras she used that cleared the path. Adopt them. They are free for the taking: “If you want to play the game, find a way to get on the playing field.” After Lunden graduated college, a family friend in TV suggested Joan apply for a job at a local TV station. In spite of the fact there was no actual job opening and she lacked relevant experience, she showed up at the TV station the following day and requested an interview and an audition. Afterwards, they told her, “Nice job. Except we don’t actually have an opening.” The weatherman there noticed her audition, and was impressed. He recommended her to another station, where she became the first female “weather girl” ever hired in Southern California. Lunden was not thrilled being a “weather girl” because: 1. She knew nothing about weather 2. She had to wear a tight, white mini-dress and white lace-up boots (this was the early 70’s). Nevertheless she was determined to break into TV. Intuitively she knew this role was her ticket to landing a job she could eventually sink her teeth into. As you chart your career, aim toward your future. When less-thanideal opportunities land in your lap, ask yourself: Will this opportunity provide either skills or connections to others which will move me forward? Lunden reasoned the “weather girl” role was her ticket. It gave her exposure in front of a camera, strengthened her poise, and taught her to think on her feet.
6/20/16 11:53 AM
Your Staff Feels What You Think Leader In Training – Inside the Classroom 2015 trueU Wrap Up You Get What You Give
Contact Us
Log into Portal
Lunden landed on the right playing field, then bolted to 2nd base, but she had to embrace the idea that . . . “Sometimes you have to take the risk of not being great in order to learn how to be great.”
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
Page 2 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
6/20/16 11:53 AM
Lunden’s popularity grew quickly after taking the weather girl job. Within 6 months, 6 stations across the country offered her a job. Not sure what to do next, she asked the same family friend for advice. He recommended she speak to his network executive friend in New York. When the executive found out she had 6 offers, he offered her a job, as a journalist. Something she’d never done before. Fortunately, Joan had a nurturing “inner champion” who said, Say yes, then figure it out. Many of us lack an audible “inner champion,” and instead listen to our (really loud) “inner thwarter,” who says, I can’t do this job because I’m not qualified! or, I have no experience doing that, or I’ll fail! Sound familiar? What would be possible if you let yourself be a beginner at something you’re excited about? Imagine this: Decca records rejected the Beatles, telling them “We don’t like your sound. You have no future in show business.” It’s helpful to remember The Beatles weren’t always The Beatles. Lunden accepted the journalism job. On the first day, a cameraman asked Lunden, “How many magazines will you need?,” referring to the film reel holder. She said, “Oh, I probably won’t have time to read magazines today.” They burst out laughing and took her under their wing. And thanks to them, she learned about journalism. “Take every small assignment and make it shine. And then you will grow.” After Lunden landed the coveted morning host spot on Good Morning America, Barbara Walters took her aside and gave her the advice above. Walters chose not to fight the male-dominant TV culture (Lunden’s 2 predecessors fought it and were let go). Sure enough, Lunden’s initial assignments were about homeimprovement, parenting, and consumer products, all topics she actually loved. She researched like a fiend, adding her own unique spin, and her work gained attention. Eventually she landed interviews on par with her male counterparts, reporting from 16 countries, interviewing 5 U.S. presidents, and covering 5 Olympic Games.
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
Page 3 of 5
What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers - trueU
6/20/16 11:53 AM
While Lunden clearly had good mentors who helped her along, she hit roadblocks that might intimidate the best of us. She hurdled the roadblocks because she followed the wisdom of her positive, inner champion. Lunden models for us, be mindful of what you tell yourself. It may just come true. Written by Julie Bondy Roberts, Come Alive Career Coaching.
RECENT BLOG POSTS What Joan Lunden Can Teach Us about Busting Through Career Barriers How is your mindset affecting your career trajectory? While it's important Read More
trueU – The Journey Continues This next year is an exciting one for the Read More
UPCOMING EVENTS Wellness: Ask Arin June 22, 2016 | View Details
DISC 101: Getting to Know Me June 24, 2016 | View Details
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Not quite ready to join trueU? You can still get monthly insights on personal development and employee engagement with our newsletter. Sign up now!
Goal Setting: Goal Hard or Goal Home July 01, 2016 | View Details
Wellness: Nutrition – Understand the Why July 20, 2016 | View Details
You Get What You Give This guest blog by Jill Lehman, Chief People Officer, Ontario Systems and Read More
https://trueu.com/joan-lunden-can-teach-us-busting-career-barriers/
Enter email address...Submit
CONTACT US For more information, contact Kim Graham Lee at 317-957-3431 or [email protected].
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