Liz was looking for a new senior-level role in her field. She felt certain she wouldn’t move any higher where she currently is and receive the compensation she knows she’s worth. So she went on an interview for a Director level position at a small boutique agency. She had little expectation of actually getting the job and went in there focused mainly on what she knew the job would require and how she would fill the gap. She ACES the interview, says all the right things because she had the skills and work experience they were looking for and two months later she is sitting behind her new desk at that agency as Director, a role just created for her.
But hold on a minute, this is what she wanted right? Except Liz now finds herself slipping into old habits. Her knee jerk reaction in this new position is to dive into the details, roll up her sleeves, and begin doing. Yet, listening to her intuition, she knows she was hired to be strategic, not detail-oriented and the very reason she accepted the role.
Time passes, she knows what her high-ticket projects are, yet struggles with what to do first, resisting that urge to get the job done all by herself. She is also a team of one right now. Once she has a solid strategy in place, she can later justify and budget for new people, but for now, it’s yours truly.
Liz feels frozen and panics doubting whether she was qualified for this opportunity and resists the urge to slink into fear of failure mode.
Fact: Liz has the experience. She has a solid education and track-record, which speaks for itself. She was also the company’s first choice when selecting her for the role.
Why would she have any self-doubt or need validation and assurance at this stage? One factor is that in Liz’s previous roles, she was always given projects laid out for her where she knew what tasks to get done and by when.
In this new director role, however, she will not be handed the cookie-cutter work plan. She is now on the other side of the table where she needs to draw up a strategy that will produce the plan, consider the big picture vision, and then circle back to communicate to her management on what the execution plan is to get there.
Liz is a fictitious character, yet has the same challenges I see present in workplace professionals and small business owners – they ask, receive what they want and then freeze! We’ve all been there; I refer to this as the growth gap and (don’t kill the messenger here) but it must hurt. If this sounds familiar, what Liz is experiencing is normal, and so are you. Yes, she initially may need to feel her way into what to do, but she knows she’s qualified. Although it feels exciting to take the lead in a new venture, there’s a great emotional aspect to being THE one to pitch the vision, shape the plan, develop the product. There’s a natural fear of failing. The same applies if you may be considering starting your business. No one can tell you, your services work for people or don’t work unless you get them to market where others can experience what you deliver. It’s all one giant experiment.
Make a mindset shift. This is your creation stage; you don’t get up in the morning simply to DO, you get up to CREATE – including opportunities. There comes a time (perhaps now is your time) where you want to DEVELOP, BUILD, INSPIRE, and MOTIVATE people with the natural gifts and skills you’ve learned over time. This freedom to serve in your unique way only comes when you’re ready to take that leap of faith banking on YOU. Whether that means moving to a more senior role or exploring a new one or juggling a day job to get your business off the ground (I’ve been in all of those shoes) and your path requires you to paint that blank canvas but also to course correct, take two steps back to make one leap forward with IMPERFECT ACTION every day. Don’t question why you may have recently received the opportunity you have. You are there for a reason and if you’re ready to take that leap of faith because like Liz, you know you’re ready for that next chapter then let go of the HOW. If we’re being honest, you have always figured it out as the smart, resourceful, professional you are. If your instinct tells you you’re ready, then you’re ready; that’s energy people will FEEL. You are enough. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and not know everything you need to know right now. This growth gap is a beautiful thing. It’s where you find your voice, develop your product, create your plan and motivate people to action.
“We can do no great things. Only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
Self-qualify yourself to answer the call. Your only job is to keep moving your feet and keep that ball in motion. That’s how it works.
With guts and grace you’ve got this,
