Given layoffs, outsourcing, off-shoring and the destruction of the traditional job and job security, we desperately want to own our future now more than ever. How can you do that when so much seems out of your control? Control what you can: you. Make yourself as valuable as possible by actively building a strong career platform from which to operate despite job changes. Ensure that your marketable skills portfolio is current, strategic and aggressively growing in ways the market will reward through increasing pay and employment opportunities. Putting together that proactive plan for career buoyancy is what this series of articles is about.

Continued...

At age 67, I have seen decades of racism and discrimination. I was born white, but every time I witnessed an attack - large and small - towards someone because their skin was a different color, because they looked, dressed, thought differently - from the time I was a young child - I felt as if I was being assaulted. I never thought the day would come when the MAJORITY of the population would rise above the lowest level of human behavior - racism - but my heart was singing last night, as I watched, through tears of joy our new President Elect Barack Obama being swept into Office.

This morning, I have renewed hope and inspiration - and renewed appreciation for the difference each one of us can and has made in shaping the future of America, the future of the world.

Continued...

• Leadership Skills: Practical, Actionable Strategies to Build Social Capital (Part 3 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Inner Authority: Your Personal GPS for Empowered Leadership- By Wendy Wallbridge
• Leadership Skills: Building Social Capital That Connects Strategy and Passion (Part 2 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Networking vs. Building Social Capital (Part 1 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Creating Your Future - The Lessons Of Mom- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Getting a Derailed Effort Back on Track- By Marian Cook
• Microsoft Grassroots Programs Target Innovation- By Marian Cook
• Global Trends Drive Workforce Diversity: An Interview with Corbette Doyle, Global Chief Diversity Officer, Aon- By Marian Cook
• Shouvik Dutta Interview: IT's Role in Globalization Globalizes IT Leadership- By Marian Cook
• Women Leading Change: An Interview with Bets Lillo, Project Director, Abbott Transition Organization- By Marian Cook
• Combining Passion and Career- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Profile Series: Jennifer Scanlon, VP, CIO, USG Corporation- By Marian Cook
• WITI Showcases Corporate IT Women Leaders- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Developing Career Paths For Your People- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Leading Global Virtual Teams (Part 3 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Leading Global Virtual Teams (Part 2 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Leading Global Virtual Teams (Part 1 of 3)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Improving Business Performance by Improving How Work Flows (Part 2 of 2)- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Improving Business Performance by Improving How Work Flows (Part 1 of 2)- By Marian Cook
• Global Views: Spirituality in the Workplace?- By Marian Cook
• Paths to Leadership: Today and Tomorrow- By Marian Cook
• Securing a Global Workforce- By Candice Tal
• A Look at an Untraditional Leadership Path- By Marian Cook
• Rising With a Trend: IT and Healthcare- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Careers: Global Economy Shifts Traditional Leadership Roles- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Let It Go! Delegate Effectively to Increase the Value and Productivity of Your Team and YOU- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Heads Up and Look Out! Grow Your World View To Grow Your Business- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Skills: Using Strategic Alliances to Drive Business Results- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Profile Series: Jana Schreuder, Executive VP & Head of Corporate Risk Management, Northern Trust Corporation- By Marian Cook
• How a New Leader Changes Culture- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Built on Change and Challenge- By Marian Cook
• Leadership Profile Series: An Introduction- By Marian Cook
• Mentorship In Action- By Marian Cook
• WITI's Excellence in Corporate IT Leadership 2006 Chicago Award Winners: Paths to Leadership- By Marian Cook
• Global Leadership: Around the World, Leaders Learn Best From Each Other- By Marian Cook