Take The Power
Many people will tell you that you have to earn the respect of your peers and those that you work for, I disagree, I think you have to take the respect. Yes, your actions have to warrant the respect of others but if you do not step up and take the respect that is presented, you will never have it.
Many of us have watched the 20 something anointed one move quickly through the ranks of the corporate world, wondering all the time what they have that is making it happen for them. A big part of it is that they step up and take the respect, often times before it is presented. This took me a long time to recognize, we often do things that others see as good work or a great job, that is the time to step up on that pedestal and accept the praise, the trick is to recognizing that it was there. If you wait for the official awards ceremony you will miss 99% of these opportunities, and continue to watch that other person move through the ranks. This is the big difference between those shooting stars and everyone else.
When I worked as the equipment repair manager at a local hospital I had the authority to sign a purchase order for up to $5,000 just like all of the other managers. Over time I began to push this limit, a repair might cost $6,500 dollar, I could go and ask permission, that I knew I would get, or I could just sign the PO and apologize later if I was called on it. Over time I pushed this limit again and again until I was signing PO’s for over $85,000, no one ever asked me about it and so I was seen as having that authority.
This transfers to most aspects of life, when you earn the respect of others the praise may be barely perceivable but if you wait for the red carpet you will have missed the opportunity to step up.
People that move through the ranks in an organization quickly, are usually pushing the limits. Start looking for the opportunities to push outside of the box and then accept the respect that is given to you and learn to “Take The Power”, if you wait for it you will always be left behind.
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