"YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT? GET SOMEONE ELSE!" How often have you heard that (or maybe even said it yourself)? To succeed BIG as a leader you sometimes have to think small. Every small, menial or mundane task is a golden opportunity for you to gain recognition and respect that will more than compensate. When you feel youre too important to help in some less than desirable necessary task, youre only fooling yourself. You will never be too important to be exempt from doing something menial that has to be done. So, accept it and do it graciously. The upside is that its what helps to build character and make you a stronger leader. My father used to say, Son, no matter what you do in life whether its leading men in the military or mopping a floor, if you should die doing it they should be able to say it was your finest hour. As a result, my attitude became, Do you want me to chair the meeting or set up the chairs for the meeting? I invite you to adopt that attitude and adapt it to your everyday life. Some call that servant leadership. It worked for me and will for you. It doesnt matter the size of the task. Thats not relevant. The question is, Does it need to be done? Are you the one in a position to do it? If so, get busy. We would all like prestige assignments and jobs, but life aint always cooperative that way. In a recent episode of The Apprentice, one of the candidates refused to carry out a task that she thought was beneath her. Her team lost and she was fired because of that attitude. When you find yourself in a situation like that, step up and accept the challenge graciously (remember my fathers advice). People are watching, both up and down the line and they are all in a position to propel your career. But, dont do it for that reason. Do it because its right. Small seemingly insignificant tasks are opportunities to show the size of your character. Your servant leaders heart is revealed in little acts, done without fanfare or expectations, that others generally dont think of or wouldnt want to do. Rick Warren, in his book The Purpose Driven Life states, Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. May you have many little tasks that lead to big successes. 2005 Gaining The Edge Feel free to reprint this article provided that it is not altered and that the resource information as shown below is included. |
