Life (and working life) is a series of events that lead to another series of events. Sometimes the result or impact is something negative.
Let me break it down in a way we all understand. Do you remember that guy you dated (or maybe still are) that was an absolute “waste of your time”? and that’s the polite version. Well, do you remember how much anger/sadness you felt when it finally ended? and the rage/sadness you still feel whenever you think of that time?
Let me ask you, what was your part in that?
Unfortunately, I’ve had one too many such experiences, and my rage reached its peak in December 2017.
I was sitting on the train on my way to the gym and this rage just rushed over me and suddenly I was back in that bad place, with that ‘bad’ person. I snapped back and realised I had lost thirty minutes thinking about a situation I was doing nothing about and playing the blame game. I also knew this had to change. How? Well Dan Sullivan always taught me that all change starts by telling the truth. So I did.. I was the one who co-created that mess and only once I accepted that and owned it, would I be able to move on.
Blame is easy and allows us to dehumanise the person we see as being at fault, but once we accept our part in situations, it’s easier to empathise with our antagonist.
It’s sooo easy to see how others have wronged you and not quite as easy to admit your part in it. The truth is, in most of life’s messes, we have played some part in starting it, keeping it going, and/or reacting negatively when it blows up.
If it’s true that life imitates art, then what we do in our personal life is likely what we do at work. This is why I’m sharing the power of owning up to your mistakes and how that can release you from office politics, and from emotional resentment at work.
It’s almost impossible to be faultless, in any given situation – so let’s dig deep. Why? Because the pay off isn’t just having greater self awareness and demonstrating leadership to others, it’ll free us from resenting others and also ourselves.
Can’t wait to hear about some of your mistakes, and to celebrate moving past them with you. Tell me all about it.
Following her degree in Politics and International Relations and a Masters in Public Policy and Management, Michelle has spent her entire career engaging with senior leaders. Over the past 7 years in particular, Michelle has enjoyed working as a trusted advisor to over 200 CEOs in entrepreneurial businesses, as well as larger organisations such as Microsoft, BP, Rakuten, BT and Unilever.