Unique Impact

I was chatting with a leader this week about the best ways to leverage their strengths in their current role.  We spent some time dialoguing about how others might tackle that role differently than them, but since they are the one currently serving in that role how important it was for them to recognize the unique perspective they bring, which also creates an opportunity for them to make a Unique Impact. 

I was also listening to a podcast that was a conversation between two authors. One of the things they said to each other was how they had to let go of thinking, "Others have already written about this," and replace it with, "I've never written about this before." They chatted about how freeing that was for them as writers to recognize the unique perspective they bring and to simply write from that place of being authentically themselves. Even if others had written about their topic before, they never had, which allowed them to make a Unique Impact with their writing and perspective.

I think too often we can hold back or even withdraw from situations because we are too busy comparing ourselves to others and the way "so-and-so" may be doing it.  We forget that our voice and our perspective matters in the world and that we have an opportunity to bring our unique perspectives, gifts and strengths into the spaces and relationships that are part of our circles of influence. Because we matter, its important to take action and allow our Unique Impact to actually happen.

Where are the spaces you are tempted to limit your voice and your perspective? Are there certain situations or people you tend to fall into the comparison trap with too much? How could you embrace the fullness of who you are and unleash your gifts and strengths into your circles of influence? What would it look like to step in with confidence knowing your voice matters?

Here's to making our Unique Impact in the world this week!

Be Well,

Stephen

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

Be Human

Let's start with a confession today - I have been very sick for the last 36 hours.  Caught some type of stomach bug and I've been miserable.  As a result, I have had to cancel or reschedule several meetings.  I always feel bad whenever I have to do that, partly because I am a people pleaser and I don't ever want someone to be inconvenienced because of me. So, of course I reach out with an apology, as if I have some type of control over getting sick! As you would imagine, everyone is always very gracious and says they know what it's like to be sick too, and wishes me a speedy recovery.

The truth is, this is what it means to Be Human. 

We all get sick. Life throws us curveballs. Unexpected circumstances arise that we don't have any control over, but that requires us to pay attention to them, sometimes right now! This is what it means to Be Human.

And here's the hard lesson for me - part of Being Human is admitting there is no such thing as a perfect life, or a perfect week, or even a perfect meeting.  This doesn't mean that I don't strive to do my best, or work with excellence and give my full effort. What it does mean is that I am willing to also give myself some grace and know that I am human like everyone else. Being Human involves admitting and accepting that we are imperfect beings, and that there is something actually beautiful and life-giving when we are willing to embrace our Humanness!

How about you? Have you experienced something in recent days that has reminded you that you are Human too? Maybe there is a particular area of life that seems to remind you of that more frequently? How could you give yourself some grace this week for those situations, and could you find the beauty in admitting that it's ok to just Be Human?

Ok. I'm going to go rest some more.

Here's to Being Human this week!

Be Well,

Stephen 

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

The Adult Table

I was chatting with a leader recently and they were expressing some ways in which they have been growing in their confidence. At one point in our conversation they said, "Honestly, it feels like I am finally getting to sit at the adult table." That made me smile and I immediately wrote it down with this message in mind.

You remember the kids' table versus the adult table at big family gatherings. All the adults get to sit together and have adult conversations, while the kids are sectioned off in their own corner to goof around and feed their vegetables to the dog. And then you get to a certain age where you think you're old enough to move up to the big table, but you're still stuck at the other one. You get annoyed with the "little kids" you are forced to sit with, and you keep finding reasons to get up from the table and wander over to the adult table and hang around listening and longing to be included.  But, after a few tortuous years, you get the invitation to join the adult table for the whole meal! What a thrill (except for that time you thought it would be funny to join in and tell that joke you heard at school last week, and your parent gives you the evil, stink-eye the whole time you're telling the story)!  You finally feel like you have arrived and your presence matters. Now, I realize this scenario isn't perfect in describing all of reality, because the kids at that table still matter too. But for our purposes here, I want to focus in on that sense of confidence that comes with growing competency.

When we start working on something new or leading a new team or change process, it can feel like we're standing on shaky ground. But with time and experience, our level of competency grows. We have a better sense of what we are doing and how to approach this task or situation. It's not totally new anymore, and that sense of growing competency results in a greater sense of confidence.  We don't have to feel as anxious when we walk into meetings or spaces. We know what we are doing, and it helps us show up in the fullness of who we are.  It's like finally getting to sit at the Adult Table!  

As you reflect on this idea, where do you have that sense of growing confidence because your competency has also been increasing?  Are there spaces you are still showing up like the middle schooler hanging around the edges of the adult table just waiting to join in, and if so, how could you lean on your growing competencies to help you be more confident and show up in the fullness of who you truly are?  What would it take for you to lean in and show up believing that you finally get to sit at the Adult Table?

Here's to continuing to learn and grow in our competency so we can show up with confidence at the Adult Table!

Be Well,

Stephen

Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center. We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we'd love to support you! Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.