Identify your true position.

Yes, I know!! I am not saying nothing new! That’s really hard – all the good quotes are taken! To be aware of your true position in an organisation though is one of the biggest lessons I have ever learned.

Most of us have a bigger idea of what ourselves mean and/or contribute to a company. We strongly believe that as far as we are doing the job correctly, we are safe and/or no one can do this better than me – so I am irreplaceable. Bollocks my friends. Our position in a company is a resultant of many different factors that most of the times we are not aware of. ?I am talking mainly for employees and not for professionals that have the power to hold their personal future in their hands, To be able to identify your true position is a charisma and a gift and maybe a result of pure luck.

Overestimating or underestimating your importance in a company has always the same result: you become frustrated and in the end you put yourself outside of the company … and you believe it is not your fault! Most of the times it is NOT your fault but, in the end, when you retrospect you realize that all your actions were not the ones that could help you remain inside that company. If you humbly know your true position and be ready to accept that you are easily replaceable and highly valuable at the same time, then you can make all the right decisions.

I personally have paid that big time once. I learned afterwards that all the managers on the same level with me were highly interconnected with the managing families, either because they were distant (or not so) relatives, or the son/daughter/maid of honor of a big client or even of the tax officer of the company!! Was it fair? I will never know! All I know is that if I knew earlier I would probably made better decisions and protect myself and my career.

So, be ready to realize that you are unique with all the good and the bads of your character and skills. Define your bads in deep and work on them. The result: you will always be glad with your self and your effort. Will that pay of? Most probably yes in the long term … but who knows? A client son will always be there with a significant head start!