As we start to solidify our goals for 2023, are you focused on the next position? The next title? The Colonel used to say, “A title is just that, kid. It’s a title. It doesn’t define who you are.”
There is truth in that. We spend too much time chasing titles. During my time in network marketing, I worked hard to gain new titles and lead each team member to new ones. Every time they progressed to a new title, I also advanced and received a new title as well. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to feel tied to that title. Lots of goodies and accolades came with every title, and I watched friends and team members gain and lose them over and over, as will happen in direct sales. Each time, I convinced myself that once I earned a position, there was no going back. I felt somehow that losing a position or dropping back to a previous title would give me a completely different title: loser. Some months were better than others, and there were months when my position was genuinely in jeopardy. It was during those sobering times that I wasn’t having any fun. I was just too focused on potentially losing a title.
Of course, The Colonel always noticed a dip in my spirit during those times. When that happened, he reminded me that the title doesn’t define my value or how hard I had worked. He said I’d lose the big picture if I focused only on the title. Then, he would verbally kick me in the butt and tell me to get over myself – to stop looking at MY perceived plight, to stop focusing on myself and concentrate on serving my team.
He’d say, “Look, kid, there’s no problem that a little service to others can’t solve. Impact your team, and it’ll all come back exponentially.”
Titles don’t make us who we are. Although we affectionately refer to him as “The Colonel,” Dad was a Lt. Colonel at the end of his career. But to many, he might as well have been a Five Star General because he focused on serving and making an impact. His title didn’t matter to him. His purpose did. As a result, his team knew the importance of what they were doing and were willing to work hard beside him regardless of his title.
When we are focused on titles or our standing in an organizational chart, when we are worried about what others are thinking or saying about us, we can’t serve others. We can’t move confidently forward in our life’s mission. This prevents us from being the significant leader we are capable of being.
Text SIGNIFICANCE to 411321 for Lauren’s White Paper: Leadership Accountability – It Starts With YOU.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.