I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself, Oh Wait I Did
Have you ever sat in a meeting and heard someone say something you said as if it was their own idea? Or have you ever watched someone else get credit for your hardwork? While most of us have probably had this occur at some point, how many of us actually do something about it? How many of us stand up and say something? Or take action so that it doesn't occur again? Today's blog is about making your voice heard, whoever you are, wherever you are.
So what can we do?
Documentation, Documentation, Documentation
As mentioned in some of my previous entries, documentation is incredibly important to the success of your professional career. What documentation does is put a stake in the ground, it creates a record, an account of your activity, your thoughts, your ideas in a form that can be retrieved and undisputed at a later date. While documentation does not provide any guarantees, it does allow you to depend on something more than memory and hearsay.
Say It Loud, Say It Proud
We all have a voice, so why not let people hear it? Whether you are the CEO or the summer intern, we all have our own unique experiences and knowledge to bring. Sharing your ideas is what distinguishes you from everyone else, its what sets you apart. On the flip side, asking someone for their opinion is probably one of the greatest gifts you can give them, it shows that you value them and what they can bring to the table. As Winston Churchill said, "No idea is so outlandish that it should not be considered."
Do Onto Others, As You Would Have Them Do Onto You
This final concept is something that I like to practice in my own life and it is about treating people the way that I would want to be treated. In reference to the subject of this blog, just as I would want to be valued and credited for my thoughts and contributions, so too, I try and make sure that I always appreciate everyone around me. Whether you stayed late, came up with a solution, reviewed my work...if you were involved in any way, I try and make sure that not only you, but that everyone involved, knows.
This blog discusses the concept of intellectual property and ensuring that your contributions are noticed and in turn that you notice the contribution of others. The importance of this concept is incredibly significant. Recognition, if done correctly results in a sense of appreciation and self worth, while lack of acknowledgment can lead to low self-esteem and accelerated employee turnover. As we move into 2008, my resolution is to neither fear nor apologize for who I am, to be true to myself. After reading through this entry, my hope is that we can all recognize our own self worth and the value that we can bring to the table.
"If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself." ~ Rollo May
