Leadership Lessons: Rise Above It All

I recently transferred into a new position, and I am truly looking forward to all of the challenges and opportunities ahead. I knew there would be some people who would be unhappy with the change—even some surprising negativity—but having been in leadership positions before, I know better than to let that get the better of me. I am an optimist, and despite the failures I have endured along my journey, I will not give up on myself or those around me. With this in mind, following is some sage advice.

Don’t forget …

Check your ego at the foot of your bed—yes, the foot of your bed, not at the door. There is zero need to carry your ego with you; chances are, someone will hold the door open for you, and your ego will come walking right in with you.

Change is hard, and I understand that disappointment and anxiety are perfectly reasonable responses. Even while you’re struggling with the disappointment or effects of change, be thankful for what you have rather than resentful for what you don’t have. Stop spending so much time playing the sour grapes game about what you don’t have, and take some stock in what you do.

I bet that everyone reading this has done some serious good through their journey. Be proud of that, write it down, and remind yourself that you have made a positive contribution. 

Stop looking for a damn pat on the back; chances are you will most likely never receive it from the person you want it from the most. Further, stop getting upset every time it does not happen; all you are doing is continuing to set yourself up for failure. 

Stop holding onto the premise that someone else is failing you; just accept it for what it is and move on. I am very fond of the saying, “You will not move forward if you won’t let go of what is behind you.” 

Position yourself for success. Stop holding onto the idea that you should be recognized or promoted simply because you do good work and have been here a long time. Chances are, you are not the only person who does good work and has been here a long time. While those are excellent traits for a hiring manager or selection committee to consider, they are not the only ones.

Market and prepare yourself for success. Have you ever heard the saying, “What have you done for me lately?” You should ask this question of yourself on a regular basis. As in, what have I done to prepare myself for the next step, the next level, the next big thing? If your answer is, well, I show up for work, take mandated classes, and attend meetings, then guess what, you’re supposed to do those things, and if that is all you are doing, then you are letting yourself down. You are not positioning yourself for future success. What about that specialized class or that degree? If you want to move to the next level, you need to start working at that level now. 

Do you remember when you first got hired or your first promotion? I bet you did not sit in front of an interview panel and moan about everything negative in your life. I imagine you were positive, enthusiastic and maybe even a little idealistic. You probably sold yourself as a go-getter, a mover-and-shaker. You were that person once, be that person again. Be the person others look to with admiration.

Finally, regardless of your position, you must support those around you. It is far easier to tear someone down than to build yourself up. Petty gossip and divisiveness is just another form of laziness; you’re better than that. To position yourself for success takes a lot of work (and some good fortune), but you sold yourself before as a go-getter, a hard worker. Now, go be that person again, and other people will take notice.

I will not promise you that you will get the promotion, the new job, the long-overdue pay raise, but at least you’ve taken a step and each time you move forward, you gain something to make you better prepared for the next opportunity. Just be sure to continue doing the work. Always work toward the next step, so that when it presents itself, you are already prepared, not playing catch-up. 

The Optimist Creed

I’ll leave you with a few talking points from the Optimist Creed: To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile; To give so much time to the improvement of yourself, that you have no time to criticize others; To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.