Back when I was working corporately, I was assigned to a project lead working alongside this amazing powerhouse. She knew her stuff and had sacrificed EVERYTHING to break through the glass ceiling and happily supported her team (male and female) to achieve greatness.
The only problem was that she expected everyone's path and priorities to be the same as hers. Twice I remember her mentioning to me that someone with ‘great potential’ had ruined their lives by having children, as it would take away their focus from their jobs and if you asked for part-time or flexible hours, you could kiss that promotion goodbye. She simply didn’t believe that you could be committed to your career and your family.
Which of course is completely untrue and I know individuals who left that organisation and are powerhouses in their own right.
Everyone has a journey that has led them to where they are at this very moment. Becoming a parent is something has been a catalyst for a career change, starting a business or incentive for career growth.
“How you do one thing is how you do everything” – Zen Buddhism
I believe that if you are focussed in your career or business you will be just as focused on success as a parent, carer, volunteer or teacher.
Whether you are recruiting or assessing a staff member for promotion, don’t let the journey put you off giving them the opportunity.
This period of lockdown has shown us that we can work at home, with our partners and children underfoot. The working day hasn’t looked the way it used to look. However, there are positives and challenges to being home and we have smashed it!
We proactive leaders have to acknowledge that our team members are grown-ups and should be treated as such.
Believe your team when they say that they can get the job done and give them the chance to deliver, their way.
Remember to:
Listen for the story and the why
Remember experience is just as valued as qualification
Look for the values and behaviours that are essential for your business
Gather evidence that they have the skills to deliver excellence
Have a trial period so that you can assess
Focus on the outcome, rather than the method
Being open to the potential in others opens up your business to work with a diverse workforce and benefit from the growth potential that it brings through innovation and creative thought.
Look at your journey, I bet it wasn’t linear either, everyone has bumps in the road.
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