I was raised in an environment with a heavy focus on leadership that included my parent’s roles, their expectations for me, and numerous examples of how to handle situations as they came up in real life. I didn’t know any other path for me growing up.
Then I Grew Up
Landing my first formal leadership job at twenty-seven was exciting. I had been groomed for this moment, right? I was ready! Ah, youth. Yes, on one hand I was ready from the standpoint that I really wanted that opportunity. I worked hard to get that position, and dove in with both feet. But I hadn’t actually managed any employees before that time.
That presented me with a whole new set of challenges…er…opportunities. Yes, opportunities!
My Ideas!
I had wonderful ideas back in those days. I had a vision that I just knew would work. Combine that vision with my decisions and strategies and I was confident everything would turn out just fine.
Then things didn’t turn out just fine.
Oh…It’s a “We” Thing
It’s amazing what a little experience and a big slice of humble pie can do for one’s career. What started as an enthusiastic and fairly narrow perspective has turned into a much more open-minded (at least some of the time!) view of how work actually gets done. I’d love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
