My friend has a pretty big title.
She’s worked hard throughout her career to earn a President’s role in a large energy company. I’ve known her long enough to know that there are parts of the role she loves, and others she tolerates. Regarding the latter, she hates networking. Hates it. She hates getting invited to events and making small talk.
What’s helped her out immensely is that when she goes to these events, which she now gets invited to more frequently, she reminds herself that she’s not getting invited to the event – her title is getting invited to the event. As such, she – as a President – has a role to play.
As she gets ready for these events, she asks herself a few questions:
– What’s the theme of the event and what’s the goal of the event organizers?
– Why did they invite my role to this event?
– What expectations does the audience have for meeting me?
– What type of energy do I need to bring?
– How should my title “look” when I’m at this event?
This reflection exercise helps her set her frame of mind and show up with confidence and intention. Also, and this is really important: she’s able to show up authentically, meaning she doesn’t have to compromise aspects of her personality to be a President. She does, though, have to show her range as a leader.
Your range as a leader is the spectrum of your personality – we can be commanding in a meeting, and a nurturing parent when we’re talking to a colleague about the passing of their parents. We can be a collaborative leader as we take in other’s insights, and we can be football coach as we motivate people towards a goal.
There’s no one-size-fits-all style to you – you’ve got more than one gear you can go in to express your authenticity. Sometimes we forget this though.
You might not have a President’s title – but make no mistake: there are expectations for your position. I highly encourage you to apply some of these reflection practices this week as you prepare for meetings, events, conferences or – hey – even when you park the car in the garage and head into the house to greet your family after a long day at work.
By being able to be empathetic to your role, and see yourself from other vantage points, you’re able to access elements of your personality that might not often “show up” more easily.
Good luck with this exercise! Let me know how it goes!
– The Actual Angie
PS I’m writing this blog on Mother’s Day at the airport. I’ve been up since 3:30 am for my 5:45 flight. I’m thinking about this as I prepare to go to my parent’s house this afternoon, I’m channeling “fun-loving, grateful” daughter … it’s helping me choose my energy, which is “tired traveler” at its current state.
