“There is no future in any job. The future lies in the man who holds the job.”
(George Crane)

My 20-year-old daughter, Hannah, is working in two internships this summer. These experiences are vital for exposing her to a variety of daily workplace environments and job requirements, and by all accounts she’s doing great.

One of the things I hope she’s learning is that while learning particular job skills is critical, growing in job character is even more vital. I define “job character” as one’s overall approach and attitude toward their work. Growing in this area is the ultimate job security, because as the future turns quickly into the present, more and more particular jobs will be changed, if not replaced altogether, by technology. This puts a premium on developing uniquely human qualities.

Here some questions that elucidate one’s job character:

—How much do you like to learn?
—How open are you to receiving feedback on your ideas, your progress, and your overall performance?
—How capable do you feel engaging in challenging conversations?
—Would you rather confront someone directly, or complain behind their back?
—While every job has tedious aspects to it, how well can you cope with them and enjoy the parts you like?
—Can you have self-respect without coming across as entitled?

High job character is the ultimate job security.

Peace begins with pause,