Have your own back first, instead of solely relying on others to have your back. It’s that simple.
When you have your own back, you first and foremost have a clear concept of your own goals and opportunities. Then, as others present options to you, you are better able to assess and evaluate what works for you and what doesn’t. Otherwise, you are easily influenced by other people’s agendas. Over time, their goals are superimposed on your own. When you lose sight of yourself in other people’s agendas, you lose the ability to evaluate your significance and importance.
Why diminish your brilliance? Think about it. You need to have your own back first, before you have each other’s backs.
Yes, you work in groups and teams to serve constituents. While it is tempting to try to fit in and run with the pack, ask yourself whether each pack has you back. Can you depend on your pack? Will they have your back when it is mission-critical? Are your packs comprised of bunches of self-interested people? Or do your teams consist of a purposeful group striving to achieve a collaborative whole? Alternatively, are your teams focused on group-think and consensus rather than innovation and evolution?
When you have your own back first, you start paying attention to your instincts and impressions.
You weigh the pros and cons of each idea you present and decision you make in light of your professional purpose. BTW, professional purpose is not to be confused with professional agenda. Do you know the difference?
Perhaps it’s time to rediscover the significance of having your own back first. Gain clarity, confidence, and purpose moving forward. Click on the link in the bio, below, to discuss further.
Meet people where they are. Get to where you really need to go. Together. | One Millimeter Mindset | Professional Innovation | Cross Functional Leadership | Speaker, Consultant, Mentor |
How do you become more professionally visible, cross-functionally relevant, and strategically valuable to people who solve problems differently than you do? Babette Ten Haken’s One Millimeter Mindset ™ speaking, consulting, and mentoring programs catalyze you to collaborate one millimeter beyond the mindset holding you back from moving forward. Babette’s 3 Core Questions, 4 Change Agreements, and 5 Professional Whys catalyze you to ask the questions that get everyone to where they really need to go, together. Contact Babette here. Babette Ten Haken is a business-oriented STEM professional, qualitative Voice of the Customer facilitator, PMI-certified Wicked (Complex) Problem Solver, Duke Corporate Education licensed Strategic Agility practitioner, and Six Sigma Green Belt (Quality). She is a member of SHRM, PMI, and the National Speakers Association (NSA). Image source: Adobe Stock
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