Dustin is a 20 year old student. Despite the lockdown situation and associated constraints, he is very active. On top of following his courses on-line, he also participates to theatre activities and initiated a project to drive 0 waste on the campus he is living. He talks with a lot of passion and determination about sustainability and how important it is to start making a difference. Big or small, every effort counts. Dustin is passionate, has plenty of ideas and is taking bold actions to make them real, he is autonomous, collaborative, respectful, and so much more. Dustin is looking for an internship. And he is scared. “Who is going to offer me an internship? He have no work experience at all!”
Together we recently explored what type of talents the companies are looking for in current environment (eg: autonomy, ability to work remote, passion, active listening, interaction with others, project management). And he realized that he has a lot to offer to the world.
Solange dreams to create her own business. Solange left corporate 8 years ago to take care of herself and her family. In corporate, Solange was a top rated Supply Chain Director. She is well known for building bespoke supply chain at optimal cost while developping and growing all the people she is working with. Because all businesses are different, even within a large corporation. Ever since, Solange has raised 3 beautiful kids who are now students. She has driven on her own a massive project to renovate part of her house. She operated as a project leader, an architect, a construction site supervision. While ensuring her family still has great time in the house during the construction work. She has engaged into local politics and founded a political party, that ended up winning the local elections few months ago. She is 100% professional and passionate in all she does. She has a unique touch in seeing the magic in other people and help them bloom. She never stopped putting her business savvy and contagious enthusiasm at service of the projects she believes in.
Yet, when talking about creating her own business, the first thing she told me was: “I am not an entrepreneur. I don’t have a start-up mentality.”
In few months from now, Julie is going to turn 40. She has just been promoted Marketing Vice-President, in charge of multi-billion dollar brands. She is very excited by her promotion, and at the same time she is in panic mode. She is wondering if she is up to the challenge. People started complimenting her for this great achievement, and how congruent it is with all the work she has delivered over the years. And Julie feels terribly uncomfortable receiving those compliments. «It is not true, how could they not see I am a fraud? I am far less talented than the one who compliments me at that very moment!»
Actually, she does not talk about her achievements, «it really sounds like I am bragging». Even worse: she tends to downplay what she accomplished.
Who are Dustin, Solange, or Julie hiding from?
OWNING YOUR SUCCESS is not about exaggerating how wonderful you are. It is about embracing who you are as a whole: your strengths, your accomplishments, along with your blind spots and your failures.
“Isn’t it arrogance?”
No. This is not bragging if you have done it. Both successes and failures. This is reality. This is being true to yourself. This is being true to the world. This is being humble. This is acknowledging the gifts you have to offer, and where you need help from others.
“What will other people think?”
Is your intention to hurt anyone? To which extent are you ready to downplay your successes and deny who you are? To which extent do you want to PLEASE others and hiding who you are?
And, when someone compliments you, say THANK YOU. Just THANK YOU, no “you know that’s nothing” type of add … THANK YOU. And bite your tongue. Practice!
“Who am I to celebrate? What if success does not last?”.
Well, this milestones is real, tangible, and fact based! One more stone paving the path. How about starting celebrating milestones on the way, both successes and failures? They both mean you tried.
And how about started creating your own “accomplishment list” (or “I am worthy because…”) and read it from time to time?
Not acknowledging your full pallet of talents, skills, competences. Not leveraging them to make a difference at your level. Hiding from yourself. Hiding from the world. This is what I call being an Imposteur.
O.M.G !
- O — OWN WHO YOU ARE. Your strengths and your blind spots. Your achievements and your failures. Your are human. And your are whole.
- M — MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE WORLD. One person at a time. One step at a time. Start small. Start somewhere. Anywhere. Do not wait to be ready.
- G — GROW. Grow yourself. Grow others. Be Curious. Learn. Serve. Lead. With humility and generosity.
This is my definition of success.
What is yours?
Love,
Delphine