Cheesy Mexican Street Corn Chicken Wraps
3 months ago
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Why I'm not a Leader (And that's OK)
It's actually more than OK. I'm feeling pretty good about it.
I'm not good at holding people accountable; I find it awkward. I'm not good at offering praise; it feels condescending. I can't really "rally" people together; it takes too much energy. And, the true test of a leader in business: I really hate networking at Happy Hour.
But just because I'm not leading doesn't mean I'm a sheep. Since when did it get so black and white? Seems like the older you get, the more people expect you to start speaking up and "making the call." Especially in this 9-to-5 world. Taking initiative isn't enough; all of a sudden, you have to take the lead. But I just prefer working with others, thinking before I speak, and shining in low pressure situations. It's not for lack of ambition; leaders aren't the only ones with intellect and ability, wisdom and courage. In fact, there are plenty of leaders who really lack all that. I'm just happy to admit that on the leader-to-follower spectrum, I sit very happily in the Doing-My-Own-Thing-and-Being-Really-Good-At-It-Without-Trying-To-Screw-Anyone-Over grey area. It's not aloof, or cool (seriously, though, it would be awesome if this makes me cool), it just seems to be an honest way to live. Unfortunately--and I don't know if this is unique to business or New York or being a young woman, or being a younger sibling, or all of the above--it seems like I'm increasingly discouraged to live that way. Maybe I've yet to drink the Kool-aid. Maybe I'm taking my opportunities for granted. But really, glass-ceiling talk aside, every Alpha is only as good as her pack. So why not be one of a really damn impressive pack.
In some ways, I think that's the Writer's Life; devoid of The Ladder, free of the need to rise and instead about exploring what's around. Ya follow?
I'm not good at holding people accountable; I find it awkward. I'm not good at offering praise; it feels condescending. I can't really "rally" people together; it takes too much energy. And, the true test of a leader in business: I really hate networking at Happy Hour.
But just because I'm not leading doesn't mean I'm a sheep. Since when did it get so black and white? Seems like the older you get, the more people expect you to start speaking up and "making the call." Especially in this 9-to-5 world. Taking initiative isn't enough; all of a sudden, you have to take the lead. But I just prefer working with others, thinking before I speak, and shining in low pressure situations. It's not for lack of ambition; leaders aren't the only ones with intellect and ability, wisdom and courage. In fact, there are plenty of leaders who really lack all that. I'm just happy to admit that on the leader-to-follower spectrum, I sit very happily in the Doing-My-Own-Thing-and-Being-Really-Good-At-It-Without-Trying-To-Screw-Anyone-Over grey area. It's not aloof, or cool (seriously, though, it would be awesome if this makes me cool), it just seems to be an honest way to live. Unfortunately--and I don't know if this is unique to business or New York or being a young woman, or being a younger sibling, or all of the above--it seems like I'm increasingly discouraged to live that way. Maybe I've yet to drink the Kool-aid. Maybe I'm taking my opportunities for granted. But really, glass-ceiling talk aside, every Alpha is only as good as her pack. So why not be one of a really damn impressive pack.
In some ways, I think that's the Writer's Life; devoid of The Ladder, free of the need to rise and instead about exploring what's around. Ya follow?
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