Be Impossible to Ignore

Leadership

I met a new friend recently who took me back to the early days of my career. He's a young professional, building a career in finance and accounting. Being a recovering CFO myself, I was immediately drawn to him and wanted to help in any way that I could. As we discussed his job and some of the circumstances he was navigating, I remembered having some of the same concerns and emotions he was. It was a fun walk down memory lane.

He's hungry, which is awesome. Clearly, he is smart, or he wouldn't be in the role he was in. But he was confused, as professionally he felt he was outrunning his title and paycheck, and frustrated that they wouldn't catch up. I assured him that it was a good position to be in and offered a few simple thoughts to operate from.

First, be so awesome you can't be ignored. Work harder, learn more, and be kinder than anyone else in the office. It's a proven formula for all stages of your career, especially early on when you want doors to open.

Second, don't wait for an invitation. Your career is your responsibility. Nobody else's. Once you have mastered the first piece of advice, then own your own path.

Lastly, ask the questions you need to ask, but out of responsible curiosity, not accusation. Stay away from things like: "Why haven't you promoted me?", "When do I get a raise?", "Did you see what I've accomplished?" Rather, dig into: "How can I help?", "Where do you need more support?", "Is there anything I can take off your plate?"

Cast a vision for where you want to go and ask them how you can get there. Be grateful, not entitled.

Gratitude is the enemy of entitlement.

I love the last half of this verse. Don't stifle the Holy Spirit, test everything, and cling to goodness.

If you have a fire in your belly, let it burn. God has given you a spirit of power; use it!

You can't believe everything you think or hear. Not everything someone says is true or useful, especially when that someone is you. Seek counsel, test it, challenge it, and prove it to be true before you die on the hill of your own thinking.

Hold on to what is good. Cut your losses and let your profits run.

Gratitude is the enemy of entitlement. When you show up with gratitude for every situation, there's an extra gear in you that provides fuel for the fire of your vision, attraction that compels others to help, and perseverance to get through the storms and into the growth that follows.

Go out and be so awesome you simply can't be ignored.