Do you ever wonder how you might respond if you were _____(insert name of co-worker). I do in a few cases. On one hand, I’ve always wondered what it’s like being a part of the boys club. I’ve worked for companies where they have been the key to success. One supervisor said to a group of us “newbies” during happy hour at a former employer that you needed that “third leg” to get anywhere. Well, it was crass, I was mortified, but some 11 years later, I do wonder how true it is.
On the other hand, I even go so far as to ask, what IF I were a guy. Like Joey or Stew or some other guy I’ve worked with. How would I answer a specific question or solve a specific problem at work, How would HE answer or solve?
In both cases, it’s not a win/win situation for me, or the gender I represent. At what point do we need to be authentic to who we are? Stop acting like the guys we are NOT, and acting like the person I am/we are? We are all individuals. We all have our own values that shift in priority, or even change over time. We know what we want, especially as we mature in a profession. It doesn’t mean we don’t sacrifice at work, as we understand sacrifice all too well when juggling work/life balance or family/work/life balance. Still, there is a voice inside our heads, and it’s okay to reconcile with that voice.
There are several exercises in order to do that, but one to start with is to list what three things you want to be remembered by. And once you’ve listed them, read them out loud. Own them. Make them your mantra or brand manifesto. Agent M1 values Compassion, Freedom, Family. I suppose if I were to reorder it, I’d start with Family. But Freedom seems to reign for me, as the one that allows me both – the ability to roam between worlds. The home/family/children/husband/friends world and the work/profession/branding/strategy/business/latte world. I want it all.
What about you?
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