There are plenty of speed bumps to every job, company, industry, product, service, and territory. Weathering the storm and directing traffic safely requires a set of skills and attributes to ensure success. And it seems that with the economic and employment landscape the past couple years, the forecast looks cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Those that are better prepared may not even have to use their umbrella and will enjoy the sunlight sooner. So what key elements separate those that are neck deep in water from the ones who are paddling their way to a nice, remote, secluded island?
Let's start with something we all have control over- our attitude. Our thoughts play a pivotal role in being able to adapt to unexpected changes to things we've been heavily focused on. The wrenches that are thrown at us can make us lose our composure at times where we're not able to think clearly enough to take a step back, access the damage (if any), and come up with a strategy that best utilizes our abilities to pull through in the clutch. There are too many things we just do not have control over, but remaining positive and always looking for the silver lining, will be the first step in clearing up blurred vision.
Now, the next topic is something we all have a tough time figuring out because we are raised in a society where 'only the strong' survive. However, those that are in tune with their weaknesses, I believe have the best chance of adapting quickly and becoming smarter than those that only understand their key strengths. For example, the jocks in high school focused on their athleticism, muscles, and had charisma to handle competition. They were the face of the team, school, and attracted crowds. The nerds knew they weren't coordinated, didn't have enough meat on their bones, and were subject matter experts on the 'not so interesting'. They were the teacher's pet, school bully's punching bag, and diverted social interaction from all angles. But understanding their weaknesses allowed them to think strategically, plan accordingly, and react appropriately. In today's fast-paced climate, if you can't manage that effectively, you're just going to be another bench player yelling, "put me in coach!" Trust me, there's already five other players already better prepared for those valuable minutes. So focus on what you're not good at, work on it every day, and increase your value by being versatile. A well-rounded player is more capable of overcoming new challenges because every strength is connected to something innate, genetics, or just pure natural ability and when it's not, it's something that's been developed over time. It's all about longevity and outlasting your opponent right? A battle of wits...well, is still a battle nonetheless.
The last point I'll touch on, although there are many, many more elements that differentiate the winners from the 'maybe next time's' is a sense of...enthusiasm. Be excited about who you are, what you've accomplished, and what you've experienced! People are drawn to the best stories that are filled with in-depth, quantifiable examples of how you accomplished a goal or even how you failed. This shows the learning experience that will inevitability help your new team overcome their current challenge because they lack something that you have. If you can't demonstrate that because you didn't have enough energy to make them pay attention and listen to how you could contribute right away, you lost them at 'hello'. Know who you are and be passionate about it! But remember, leave the cockiness in your bathroom when you're getting ready to showcase your greatness to the world outside.
So the formula is simple: Attitude + Weaknesses + Enthusiasm = leaving everyone else in... dare I say? A.W.E.
