- You realise it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for someone else to speak up. You suddenly realise that it is you who has the missing opinion, information or viewpoint that is required.
- You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are. You recognise their shortcomings and human frailties and support them in doing the best that they can with the skills and resources at their disposal.
- You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.
- You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of everything you say or do... and that's OK.
- You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say. So you learn to question rather than assume… and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
- You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
- You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
- You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of anxiety, frustration and resentment are perfectly OK as long as they are well managed. Sometimes they are the motivation for pushing back appropriately, managing client expectations responsibly or requiring more from direct reports.
- You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to exhibit leadership on your own terms.
- You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a team, an organization, a life.
- You realise that being at work is the most astonishing opportunity to grow your capacities and skills. It gives you the opportunity to grow a mighty oak from a tiny acorn.
- And so work becomes far more interesting and engaging. There are still times when you feel anxious, frustrated or stressed. But you also notice that these feelings pale into insignificance when placed alongside your achievements and outcomes. You enjoy growing your own skills, but even more so the skills of others. Passing on your wisdom becomes primary and vital to your vocation. You love the experience of authoring your own destiny. You see daily that your efforts and unique contributions make a difference which leaves you feeling personally fulfilled and professionally satisfied.
Adapted from The Awakening by Sonny Carroll
The Purpose of our Take a Stand program is to teach people the skills involved in coming from the Creative. For details, visit our website: www.keepevolving.com.au or download a brochure.
