Talent + Purpose

Finding Your True Greatness

Imagine your career acumen in a suitcase.

As you pack things up for the next chapter of life, you dump the contents of your swiveling roll-a-board on your bed. It's a mixed bag. There are the well-worn socks you wore on the way up the mountain. Beneath your biking shorts, a khaki windbreaker that didn't feel nearly warm enough when the storms of life came through. You unfurl your favorite leather belt and note the notches show wear in three places. Yes, you've grown and expanded over time.

Ah, yes, and those fancy-day shoes. Thinking back, you smile about how you wanted to impress- game on. You say to yourself, " I haven't worn those in so long. "

You aren't done with work yet, but it is time to sift through your bag of goods and dress for success on terms with this new self, a version of you whose roots feel familiar but whose exterior has changed with life's seasons.?

New you is irrevocably aware of the call towards alignment; you recognize that inner you has been quietly evolving and is no longer content to wait on the back burner.

?Could you stash the old baggage and grab a new pack?

You're looking for that intersection of what they need and what you?must?give.?

You've relinquished your warrior's heart, casting aside the armor and shields in exchange for a vessel that thrives on the adrenaline rush of seeing others succeed.?

As you unzip that vegan leather and neoprene backpack, you know that this is not a knapsack equipped for blazing trails in the jungle. This pack is for shepherding the way for others—future you sees that you'll be guiding others by deploying the wisdom of your lessons learned. Your "best of" playlist will be on auto-shuffle, of course, to keep the momentum going.

It is time to consider what gifts you want to bring along for the adventure.

Are you preparing for the next leg of your journey? Pack light.

This new sporty bag is a technical delight, complete with USB ports, groovy secret pockets, and a built-in hydration system that also keeps your sandwich fresh. It's lightweight and compact. So, you'll need to choose what to put in and leave out wisely.?

Here are a few ideas, many inspired by David Brooks's book?How to Know a Person.

• Are you an illuminator??There is an art of seeing others deeply, witnessing their strengths and their struggles. Consider if the gift of holding space for others so they feel deeply seen, aka empathy, can be a tool you pull from your bag.
• Do you consider yourself a supporter or a companion? Brooks writes, "I used to think the wise person was a lofty sage who doled out life-altering advice in the manner of Yoda or Dumbledore or Solomon. But now I think the wise person's essential gift is tender receptivity."
• Do you welcome people into the conversation??You may excel at asking questions that get people to open up and join in without shifting attention to yourself. At gatherings, do you quickly think to include those standing in the shadows? Communication skills can be the glue that holds people together.
• Are you skilled at coaching others??Brooks suggests that the best coaches are not here to fix others but to help them edit their stories to be more honest and accurate. He says the best coaches hold a vision of others of whom they are becoming so that they can "live into" the reputation the coach pre-paves.
• Is flexibility among your strengths??In How to Take Smart Notes,?Sonke Ahrens suggests that having a framework beats having a plan because it reduces reliance on the need for willpower when things don't go as planned. Almost any endeavor will be more successful with an attitude of adaptability and resilience.

Could you look over the wisdom in your backpack?

While your industry knowledge, network connections, and subject matter expertise may have served you well along your career path, as you get closer to winding down that journey, you may be thinking even more deeply about your legacy.

Recently, I attended a funeral for a man recognized as a leader in his industry and who had 11 patents. In the years I knew of him, he never spoke of these accomplishments. Speakers brought his accomplishments to light at his service. Still, those who shared words about him spoke most passionately about his joie de vivre, how boldly and exuberantly he lived, even as he navigated health difficulties in his final years.

True greatness is filling your backpack with joy that you share with others—doing work that aligns with your joy matters.? ?