Do you want to be admired and respected by your colleagues, to be recognized by senior leadership for who and what you are? Do you want to be known throughout your business universe as one who sets the standard?
Then solve a problem. Stand up and show someone how to get things done. Clear the pathway; support someone’s idea, save a step somewhere. Do what it takes to get the job done.
Just do it.
It's not hard, really, to broaden your view beyond the face looking back at you in the mirror. It's a matter of thinking not of yourself first and foremost, but of a greater good that is broader than yourself - and of focusing your attention on getting the results that help the department, the team, the business. It's called a giving of yourself.
All too often what we see from many employees at all levels of the organization is an effort to be the star, the success story, the “wunderkind.” But that often occurs at the expense of someone else. "Look at me," these eager A-types seem to shout, "look at what I have achieved." These are folks who seem to have missed reading the memo on team effort. These are folks who fill every speech or memorandum with only an “I.” As if no one else had a hand in the success.
We all have these employees in our organization. They surround us, but I question how much they help us.
Here's another thought. Isn't it better to be raised up (via reward, recognition, applause etc.) by someone else, rather than to be constantly trying to push yourself up? All by yourself? Doesn’t that ego rush get a bit tiring, what with the constant pressure of looking over your shoulder to gauge the competition? Do you get periodic stress headaches, where the muscles at the back of your neck tighten to stone? Are you sleeping well?
Now picture yourself receiving that same award, but now with accompanying recognition, spotlight, accolades etc. Nice feeling, isn’t it? A proud moment.
I think it does make a difference in how one gets recognized. I suppose that there are levels of self-satisfaction, but the pinnacle must be when you're lifted on someone else's shoulder. When you hear the cheer of the audience. Self-advertisement, political deal-making and passive resistance that holds others back can't provide the same level of genuine personal satisfaction. Because deep down you'll know you cheated to get there.
Think about someone whom you greatly admire, in whatever field of endeavor you like. Chances are it’s someone who has accomplished something, delivered the desired results, made something of themselves. But they tend to share to credit, acknowledging the role of others in their success. They made the hard decisions and stood up for something. Likely that admirable person isn't someone who took shortcuts, pushed others aside, ignored the call for help or otherwise kept their focus solely on the mirror.
So why would you want to do that yourself?
Of course, you wouldn't. Though the temptation must be strong at times. Now reflect a bit on how you conduct your own relationships at work. Do you think of yourself first and foremost, or can you spruce up your act a bit, look beyond the tip of your nose and become more of a team player?
Am I naive? Perhaps I am. But I think we need more heroes out there, more decision-makers, more team players and more people willing to make a stand for what they believe in. Your organization needs more people saying “we” instead of “I.”
But that’s just my two cents.
Chuck Csizmar CCP is founder and Principal of CMC Compensation Group, providing global compensation consulting services to a wide variety of industries and non-profit organizations. He is also associated with several HR Consulting firms as a contributing consultant. Chuck is a broad based subject matter expert with a specialty in international and expatriate compensation. He lives in Central Florida (near The Mouse) and enjoys growing fruit and managing (?) a clowder of cats.
Creative Commons image, "Hand Mirror," by The Italian Voice
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