When I started out in the Finance industry as a young assistant, it was challenging— not because of the tasks of the job, but because I felt small, and I was seen as small. I felt I was nothing more than the role, a simple means to an end. It was as if I had no future beyond that role. Indeed, perhaps employees higher in the org chart honestly thought I had no future beyond my position. After all, at that time, I didn’t have a graduate degree, certifications or designations after my name. I just had me- the me that came with all the life skills and experience I gained up to that point.
Thankfully, there was someone, a young managing director, that believed I could do more. He knew that I was a photographer and that I had marketing skills. How did he know this? He put effort in connecting with me. He took time to discover my value, and he gave me a shot at designing marketing materials for one of the firm’s portfolio companies. I’m sure he doesn’t realize this, but that meant everything to me. It made my job more interesting and enjoyable. Why? Because suddenly, I had purpose, and he provided that. He related an interest of my own to the overall interest of the company. Suddenly, I had a purpose that meant something, not just to me, but to the employer that cut my paycheck— not that my other tasks had no utilitarian importance. They did, but they weren’t related to a higher purpose.
Now, think about what happens when negative sentiment and lack of purpose become part of everyday corporate culture. Particularly, when it’s related to a specific responsibility, it becomes the identity of that position, and by extension, part of the employee’s identity within the workplace context. You get where I’m going here. Individual purpose is closely related to individual identity, and in turn, related to the organizational environment. Perception really is everything- but here’s the good news. Perception goes both ways. Unfortunately, at that young time in my life, I bought into the perception that my workplace projected on me. This is ubiquitously common, especially in corporate environments. It’s been estimated that an average individual spends about a third of their employment lifetime working, or 50% of total waking hours on the job. That’s a lot of time to absorb negative statements and negative thoughts that are easily identified with 50% of how you spend your life. So, where’s the good news I mentioned? The good news is you can choose to reject others’ perception of you. You can consciously choose to believe you have value and be clear on the purpose you choose for yourself. So, take time to sit down and identify the values you want to embody. What is your mission, and your vision for yourself? According to Dr. Robert Quinn, Cofounder of the Center for Positive Organizations and Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan, if your internal higher purpose is your focus, it no longer matters what others think. You shift the external locus of control to an internal locus of control. When you do this, the way you act and respond will come from a source of empowerment. This places the power in your hands to manipulate perception. Not to say that there aren’t toxic work cultures, but you can be better equipped with profound focus on a higher purpose. You are never powerless. True empowerment lies in knowing the value you bring to the table. Stand in that mental construct, and it will not fail you.
Dr. Robert Quinn so eloquently states the power of realizing your purpose, “When you clarify your purpose, you take back your external locus of control where you worry about what other people think and you take an internal locus of control…You become centered. You become powerful.”
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