When NOT to Take the Lead at Work
My main complaint about my internship is that I don’t have much to do. Seriously—it has gotten to the point where I’ve looked at so much YouTube, Myspace, and Facebook that I turn off my computer and prefer to sit in front of a dark screen.
When I talk to my friends about this, many tell me to take the lead. It’s suggested that since there obviously isn’t anything to do I should make my own projects in order to make myself shine.
In general, I go above and beyond my job description with regard to my current position. Because there is so much free time and flexibility, I am able to cultivate and manage the program in a way that stretches me. I am developing a nice portfolio of lesson plans, implementing various events and opportunities for my students and their parents, and am establishing wonderful partnerships.
However, that’s where it ends. When it comes to leadership with in an organization, it isn’t about starting things for the sake of starting things; it’s about developing key leadership skills that will flourish and result in me actually learning something. There is a difference between challenges that arise in any organization and red-flags that indicate trying to do something new in your company is simply not worth it.
1. Your co-workers don’t inspire you—personally or professionally. Not only is there a great deal of animosity and distrust at my organization, but also people aren’t invested in the organization’s mission. There is a lot of gossiping and laziness that makes it difficult for the organization to run efficiently let alone starting a new project.
2. The organization doesn’t function well internally. We have cut back programs and laid people off because we are running out of money. The board and upper management are not transparent and have very different views of what the organization’s mission is and how it should be fulfilled. Anything that I would want to try will most likely not be supported when, realistically, support is needed.
3. You just don’t want to. While it would be easy to do what my supervisor is supposed to be doing, why should I? I have no desire to obtain his position and any accomplishments I make will be in his name.
It comes down to the environment. I am realistic about the fact that I thrive in places that have structure and the people are not only invested in the organization but are also supportive of each other. In the mean time, I’ll excel at what I do, focus on the my non-work related accomplishments and interests, and wait until it is time to move on.
Update: Feeling like this place is not ideal for cultivating me as a leader is also a sign that maybe I should quit. Go figure.
A few great quotes come to mind.
You may want to take a look at two recent posts I have on my blog - One on Steps to Success and another on Procrasti-NATION.
HERE ARE THE LINKS:
http://yattitude.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/the-4-step-plan-to-success/
http://yattitude.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/ya-ttitude-battle-lines-are-drawn/
Here are some great quotes - might help the issues and problems you are feeling and having.
THE CHANCES ARE THAT YOUR JOB LIKES YOU PRECISELY AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE IT, BUT NO MORE.
You are the world’s greatest expert on your job, and you can make it into what you choose. You may have a job description, but there are few jobs in the world that come with detailed instructions. A job description simply provides a foundation upon which you may build the perfect job for yourself. When you give generously to it, a job responds with a full measure of satisfaction, personal growth, financial rewards, and promise for the future. If you are in a job you absolutely hate, and you have considered all the alternatives and decided that you will never like your job, find something else. But if you, like most people, dislike a few things about your work, but on balance believe you have a pretty good position, get busy making it the greatest job in the world. In your career, as in life, you get in direct proportion to what you give.
START GOING THE EXTRA MILE AND OPPORTUNITY WILL FOLLOW YOU.
Going the extra mile can give you insight and a good reputation, both of which attract opportunity. Many obvious opportunities are found in places no one else has bothered to venture. If you put in the extra effort to make a good project an even better one, or you get to know your equipment better than anyone else on your shift, you will see things others overlook and be in a position to make use of them. Leaders who need a job done think first of people they know who will do it well. If other people respect you for the quantity and the quality of your work, you will find yourself advancing past others who regard their jobs as drudgery. For all the extra service that you’ve rendered, you’ll find yourself more than amply compensated by opportunities others never grasp.
Benny
Hey, I like your blog, and I especially like the list of popular posts from last week.
Something that I’ve found is that people who are leaders lead wherever they are. They can’t help it. So if you find yourself not wanting to lead at a particular job you have, then you can probably learn something about yourself, too - not everyone needs to be a leader.
Penelope
You’ve been tagged - can you write your memoir in just 6 words?
http://careerencouragement.typepad.com/the_career_encouragement_/2008/03/just-6-words.html
Hope you play…
[...] My First *Real* Job In an earlier post I talked about how my job doesn’t give me adequate opportunities to develop myself as a leader. My organization lacks structure and there is no motivation or inspiration resulting in me being [...]
[...] an earlier post I talked about how my job doesn’t give me adequate opportunities to develop myself as a leader. My organization lacks structure and there is no motivation or inspiration resulting in me being [...]