Getting Closer to Your Summit with Each Step
I remember it like it was yesterday.
Kiki* reached out to me for career advice.
She had been working at a mortgage brokerage for about two years and told me she felt unqualified to do her job.
She wanted to know if I could help her succeed.
We agreed to meet at a local coffee shop where she shared that she applied for the promotion to get the experience of interviewing, not thinking she had a chance of getting the position.
Now here she was ... terrified to walk through the door every morning as she 'didn’t have a clue' what she was doing.
Oh, I understand that feeling.
I had that same experience when I got my first supervisory promotion working in Federal law enforcement.
One morning I came to work and hid in the bathroom stall and called my mentor.
I told him I had no idea what the heck I was doing and maybe I should quit
or give back the promotion.
He told me "... if God didn’t want you to be in that position, you wouldn’t have gotten the job. Now get the f* out of the bathroom and go and figure it out.
Put in extra hours. Ask questions. Do whatever it takes... "
So pretty much, stop hiding out.
He was loving – and firm.
At the corner table at the coffee shop, Kiki continued to talk about her concerns, and wondered if I could help her or if she should ask for her old job back.
I listened and told her she was smart enough to do this job.
I also said that my leadership coaching could help her navigate the pitfalls, and give her peace of mind and practical tools for her toolbox along the way to lead like a seasoned expert.
When I said that, she breathed a visceral sigh of relief.
See, I get it.
When fear shows up and rears its ugly head, it will tell you that you don’t have what it takes to do great things …that you should just pack your bags and stop lying to yourself and everyone else around you.
This conversation goes back centuries.
If you’ve ever read Exodus in the Bible, you may remember that Moses had the same conversation with God.
Moses was minding his own business, tending to his flock on Mount Horeb, and a burning bush appears with God telling him his plan ... that he wants Moses to go to the Israelites and Pharoah to do all sorts of things.
I. Can’t. Even. Imagine.
Moses doesn’t feel worthy and begins arguing with God (been there, done that).
God tells him his brother will help him, and that He has his back.
Now, come on.
This brings me back to Kiki.
Kiki was chosen for this job and there was a reason.
Yet, for Kiki, like most folks including me, it’s easy to look at the shortcomings we’ve got and say, “Find someone else.”
Yet if no one stepped out on a limb and took a risk, there would be no great leaders in the world.
I don’t care how smart you are,
you’re never qualified when you start anything new.
The Summit may feel as if it is a gazillion miles away.
At least now.
And, it will be closer as you take each step on your way to the top.
Along the way, you’ll meet folks that can make the journey easier and lighter.
For Kiki, that person was me.
For me, it was my mentor Tony.
And along the way, at some point, EVERYONE feels like a fraud and an imposter not well equipped to do the task.
The brave reach out, ask for help ... and get the skills they need.
Then they go and do it.
Folks appreciate the person who is humble enough to know they don’t know something and are willing to ask for help.
No one likes a faker ... someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, and pretends they’ve got it all figured out.
Kiki stepped up and did what needed to be done.
She accepted the challenge in front of her and got the help she needed.
Early on her journey she struggled.
She made mistakes … and our work together shortened her learning curve.
Fast forward, and eight months later, Kiki got an opportunity to join a larger team with even more pay and with the ability to make a difference in a new market.
More money.
And more autonomy.
It was an easy YES.
The skills she took with her allowed her to open doors with ease and she was often praised for her ability to problem solve and innovate, which is pretty hard to do in an industry that is heavily regulated.
Yet her leadership skillset set her apart from her colleagues who were often twice her age.
Never forget that you can do anything
you set your mind to accomplish.
You will always have the voice of fear lurking around the corner.
With the right guidance, coaching and mentorship, it’s easier to remember who you are and what you’re called to do.
ACTION: The Upside Challenge of the week is to identify where you are struggling.
Then, reach out, ask for help, and get access to the skills you need to go where you want to go -- your personal Summit.
If you realize you don't want to go it alone, call or email me. I'm happy to get on a call and be of service.
