In my twenties, after graduating from college with a degree in electrical engineering, and working in several companies/positions, I took a position with a company that manufactured networking equipment. About a year in, my manager took another position within the company, leaving his position open. I didn’t think much about it until, at lunch one day, my friend asked if I’d considered applying for it. I went to talk to our director about it; his response was, “what took you so long?” I had never considered myself a leader before, but he shared with me that he believed in me and saw leadership qualities in me. I didn’t actually end up getting that position but the fact that he showed he believed in me motivated me to continue to work my hardest for him.
Over the next twenty years, I have taken on roles of leadership with organizations, and have been blessed to have those who have showed me that they believe in me. Several years ago, our company made some organizational changes and I took on a role in a group where the leader did not show me that he believed in me. To be fair, he didn’t ask for the organizational change, and he didn’t ask for me to be in his group; however, it was clear to me that he accepted me only because he had to and not because he really believed in me. Despite this, I’ve created and cultivated some wonderful relationships and made what I believe to be significant changes in process within that organization. I’ve never fully felt as is I belong, however, and have watched for opportunities to move to a role where I feel I belong. I’ve looked at job openings and even interviewed for a few but just didn’t fine the right role.
A couple of months ago, in an odd set of circumstances, I found myself in a position of being able to choose between two positions – the first in the group I’ve been working for the past 7 years; the second in a different group within our company. As I went through the interview process and met with my hiring manager, he reviewed my resume and we conversed about my experience – I say “conversed” because it wasn’t like an interview – it was like a conversation. Immediately, we clicked, and could relate to one another’s professional experience. I met with others in the group, who unanimously agreed that I was the “perfect” candidate for the position, despite the fact that I couldn’t move into the role for 3 months due to a prior commitment I had made.
To know that my new group was so confident that I was perfect for the role –to hear their woots and hollars when they found out I had accepted the position – to see their excitement truly gave me a new lease on life. To know that someone believes in you is an amazing feeling – and makes you feel invincible.
Truly, before knowing how they felt, I know I would have done my best in any position – because that’s simply who I am. But to know that they truly believe that I’m the best for that position is undescribable.
… which brings me to my point today… tell someone that you believe in them. It’s possible they’ve been waiting to hear those words for a long time… and it’s possible that it might truly make a difference in their lives.
Be a blessing to someone today. We all need more blessings
SB
Copyright Journey For Life
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