ELEPHANT ALERT!
There’s an old saying that if you squeeze an orange you can expect to get orange juice. The pressure for higher performance is significant. Stress, adversity, ambiguity: it can seem to mount every day. Do you feel like you’re getting squeezed?
And when you’re squeezed – what comes out?
Here’s the elephant in the office: You may laugh at the above question. Most likely this is because you’ve worked next to people who, when squeezed, emit some not-so-pleasant material.
Isn’t it ironic? When things become difficult, when the pressure mounts, some people and teams deliver their worst.
STOMP THE ELEPHANT
As you grow older, as your responsibilities and the pressures mount, what are you discovering about yourself? Do you like what you are delivering for your peers, your family – and yourself?
When the numbers aren’t where you want them to be, does your response reflect your deepest values? When you’re tempted to cut corners, do people see your highest level of integrity? When you get home at night and you’re exhausted, does your family see you shine?
At this point in your career, do you appreciate and admire who you have become? And are you excited about who you are you becoming?
Regardless of your answer to the above question you can celebrate – because asking yourself these questions begins to build the awareness that is necessary to create the changes you want to make.
This week pay attention. The next time you feel the pressure mount, the next time you feel the squeeze, ask yourself, “How will I respond in a way that is congruent with who I want to be?”
It is how you respond to pressure that people discover who you really are.
Where will you lead – where will you stomp elephants – today?
