Promotable.
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Thank You,
Dustin Dale
"What's your stock worth?"
This question was asked during a one-to-one meeting about my ability to move up to my next leadership role.
The only answer I could think about was the amount of money I had invested in stocks, which was zero. I was in my early twenties... the furthest thing on my mind. Investments.
"What is your leadership stock worth? That's what I am asking you, Dustin. Are you promotable?"
Talk about pressure questions that make you sweat. I had no clue how to answer this question except with the truth.
"I am ready, but I am also ready to learn as much as needed and then some. I don't believe there is an end to knowledge."
"Correct." Now you are ready for a promotion.
That was over a decade ago, and that single conversation would launch a massive campaign to promote several levels quickly.
Why? I was promotable. Why? I was willing to learn and accept feedback.
I want to share with you today a few essential tips I learned that led me to add 100K+ to my income in less than a decade, all under 30.
Please understand that I don't share this in arrogance. I share that I came from minimal means and a subpar education to where I am today. I share this because if I figured this out, then anyone could be just as successful and more.
So, to all my young professionals reading this... it's possible if you are promotable.
Lesson One. Become the smartest fool in the room.
This is a phrase I share often when I tour and speak because it was a great reminder given to me years ago. The deeper meaning is to remind ourselves to be confident in our wisdom and humble ourselves to learn something new with each new room we step into.
The best way to become the smartest fool in the room is to ask great questions and force yourself to learn words/concepts you do not know.
I recall being in a room with leaders far more experienced than me, discussing market share and per-item return on purchase. Again, I had yet to learn what they were saying.
I wrote down the terms and specific phrases they discussed on paper, then returned home and began researching them.
A few weeks later, that research made all the difference, as I could now engage in conversation and not sit quietly in the corner.
Be the smartest fool in the room.
Lesson Two: Pressure is okay.
If you want a "winning" career, realize that pressure can be your best friend. Despite what the world may say about pressure, there are positives.
A specific material needs to be tested until it reaches its breaking point to be rated for its strength. Once that point is reached, everyone knows how much pressure that material can handle. Then, the work can begin to revisit how to make it stronger.
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Being successful is very similar to this. The pressure helped me define what I couldn't do and what I could do, but without the pressure, I would have come up short in every situation because I wasn't testing myself to push through.
Days will be painful and brutal, but the outcome is determined by your attitude and how you apply it to that painful and tough situation.
Learn to work through the pressure and embrace it. I promise you can build a more vital mental state, as muscles are built under tension.
Become friends with the pressure.
Lesson Three: Ignore the inner criticism.
As you grow in your career, you will likely encounter the modern phrase "imposter syndrome," which is heavily overused and beaten down (personally biased opinion), but I want to offer a different perspective that helped me shift how I felt about it.
By the way... this thought was implemented before it became a phrase.
Seth Godin addressed this topic and gave a different perspective on how someone can make imposter syndrome become a successful resource.
His message was centered around the fact that you should embrace imposter syndrome.
The reason why is that you should embrace a version of you that has not become you.
If you want to become the next leader in your organization or move into the next leader role, you need to become that version of yourself now. Don't wait until you get into the position to try and become that person. Embrace the behaviors now that you can master and become comfortable with those attributes to prepare for what's next.
Embrace a better mindset and more focused behaviors now to become the better you tomorrow!
Become promotable today by becoming the leader you need tomorrow!
Lastly, I want to share my top words of wisdom that helped during my corporate career, and I hope they add value to you!
These three lessons are more psychologically focused than skill development. I focused on these three specific lessons because they can help an individual develop a more assertive attitude while developing a new skill or preparing for promotion.
Keep being awesome, and always stay promotable!
Are you focused on taking your leadership development to the next level?
Also, don't miss out on grabbing your copies of Dustin's bestselling leadership series of books and the brand-new workbook!
Book Links:
Learn to Lead by Serving: https://a.co/d/dsgJQFj
Learn to Lead by Serving 2: https://a.co/d/isIeTRR
Sophomore attending The Ohio State University. Enthusiastic reader.
6 个月Love this article!! So many great points and tips! Thank you for sharing Dustin!!
Queen of JOY and overuse of !!!!!!!!! Author, More ??Joy series|High-energy?? Motivational Speaker| Community Builder|Retreat Ringleader
6 个月You are the best, Dustin!