Blog #122: What you need to know about 'inner dialogue' in order to discover hidden potential

“I am only the son of a blue-collar.” My father used to repeat it until he passed away… Even though he had accomplished a lot in his life: He became a sales director (without higher education, because he wasn't allowed to continue his studies as he had to bring money home). He owned his own house in a residential area. He made sure both his children could get international experience ánd a university degree. He travelled the world. He spoke different languages. He followed global politics and economics and so much more.

And still, that little voice continued to whisper in his ear that he was not enough …

I had to think about this when I was evaluating 32 funding requests from organisations that help people with a distance to the job market. These organisations had to explain why their initiative should get the requested amount of money. In several of them, I read that building self-esteem of the people under their wings is the first priority before even starting any job search. A lot of them have heard an uncountable number of times that they do not belong, they do not fit, they are not enough, they will never be valuable, … and that gets engrained in their minds, soul and heart.

They start believing it. They even pass it to the next generation in some cases.

When they go for a job interview, they already believe beforehand that their case is lost… They are already convinced that they will not get the job. These voices can get really convincing.

"Little voices?": Where is this about?

These inner voices are also called inner dialogue. You have different types of voices, but the one in this blog is the inner critic, the voice that judges the person as not fit, not adequate. It is a destructive thought process one can only conquer when becoming conscious of it.

Where do these voices come from?

These thoughts come from early life experiences that have been internalised. This only happens when certain ideas are repeated over and over again in different contexts. Taking the example of my father: his mother was serving in a wealthy family the whole family looked up to while they were looking down on them, in school, he probably got in contact with children from different social classes, in society blue collars are stereotyped in many negative ways he was made aware of over and over again, etc.

That does not only happen with blue collars, this is just an example of many...

What can you, as the decision-makers in the talent attraction process, do about it?

Have an eye for the ???? hidden gems ???? on the job market. Those hidden gems are also the people who do not see their own value yet, who do not believe in their own potential yet.

Filling your vacancies as a talent treasure hunter means that you do take the time, the effort to discover, to disclose that value, that potential that is there but that is not recognised yet, often not even by the person itself.

Recognising that value, that potential, will help to put those little voices to rest. These gems are hidden within your existing organization as well as within the people who come for a job interview.

Let’s all believe that untapped potential is there to be found.

Let's help to silence these destructive voices so that people can find their full potential and you can find your next valuable new hire.

This is?my?122nd?blog?to inspire you, decision-maker in the hiring process, to attract and keep the talent you need to grow your business, now, and in the future. For you to see how you can join the Talent Treasure Hunt.

Now, it is your turn.?Please answer the questions below:

Do you have someone in mind when you read this blog: unexpected potential you have discovered within your team or with a job applicant? If so, do share the story with us.

Thanks a lot for reading till the end and I am looking forward to reading your reactions.??

Sharing is caring, so if you believe?this?newsletter might benefit other people within your network, please feel free to share it with them or tag them below. I appreciate it??.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Enjoy your Treasure Hunt Journey.

Katherina

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About?Katherina Swings

An inspirational?connector, a multi-lingual?contributor?with international (working and living) experience, an inspirational speaker, a seasoned HR person with two decades of corporate experience, an experienced change?manager?with business savvy, a creative?writer, a certified professional?learning facilitator, a certified inclusive leadership trainer, a certified employer brander, a?multi-cultural networker, an active?listener…

My?vision?is to create a positive world by connecting people who discover each other’s strengths.

My?mission?is to support?10 000 managers worldwide to become (more) in-clusive.

==============================================================???????????????????? Do check out my?121?previous blogs.?Let me know your feedback after reading them!?