Last year, I made the switch from being an engineering consultant to working directly for a company. One of the reasons that I made the switch was for the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop as a leader. But also to make a positive change within the company. I felt I could do more from within the company than as a contracted engineering consultant.
After a few months, I was reminded that the grind to climb the corporate ladder is real.
As an engineering consultant, your focus isn’t promotion. Your focus is to do a great and, hopefully, be invited to return for another job.
However, inside corporate America, everyone is looking towards their next movement up the corporate ladder and almost every decision is made from that view. With this in mind, many leaders and future leaders are encouraged to “fit into” and to “be mindful of the perception of others.” We are encouraged to:
- Use key words in your messaging when speaking with other leaders or the general population
- Watch what you post on social media – including LinkedIn. Someone may think your post is about them or the company you work for.
- Make sure you stand out, but not too much so that you’re not seen as a non-conformist or a lone wolf.
While all of this advice is well-intentioned, what it forces people to do is to put on a performance or not show up authentically.
Instead of focusing on the promotion, I encourage leaders and future leaders to focus on authenticity first. Then position yourself for promotion in a way that aligns with your values.
When you are clear on what your authenticity as a person, as woman, and as a leader looks like, you can make decisions that will lead to promotion and recognition in a way that feels good TO you and looks good ON you. When you show up authentically and make decisions from a place of your values:
- You’ll earn more respect because you are being true to yourself.
- You’ll become less concerned about who likes you or who approve of you. When you choose authenticity, you may NOT align to the vision that your current company is looking for in a leader. That is OK. You now have the confidence and the knowledge to find a corporate culture that will help you grow into the best version of yourself and into the best leader for the job.
- You’ll become an influencer of corporate culture. When you think about the conversation that surrounds #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion, being your authentic self – no matter your race, gender identity, or religious beliefs – is what creates strong, healthy, and successful companies.
My question to you is this: Are you being your authentic self when you walk into your office each morning?
Or, are you putting on a performance in order to secure your next promotion?
Or, do you believe that the only way to get promoted and to be successful is to conform to these well-intentioned image of who you should be as a women and as a leader?
Reflect on this and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
~Sherica
