Thanks, But No Thanks: When Workplace Rejection Became My Launchpad to Leadership

Hey there, everyone!

Monique Davis here, back with another installment of my 'Becoming a Better Leader' series. Today, I'm going to share a story about a word that we often fear: Rejection. But in this tale, rejection was my secret ingredient to resilience and ultimately, leadership.

Early in my career, I was eager, ambitious, and ready to take on the world. I worked diligently, eager to make an impact and rise through the ranks. When a promotional opportunity arose within my team, I seized the chance. However, despite my best efforts, I didn't land the role. Transparently speaking, it was a hard pill to swallow.

But you know what they say: every cloud has a silver lining. And in my case, the silver lining was a chance to introspect and grow. Yes, you heard it right - grow.

After the initial sting wore off, I chose to use this rejection as a chance to learn rather than a sign of defeat. I sought feedback from my managers, actively listened, and began to understand areas where I could improve. Now, I would say this, some of the feedback I thoght was bias. If I were a man, I don't believe I would have been accused of being ambitious. However, I know how to chew the meat and spit out the bones. I still had things to learn and character to develop. So It was a period of intense learning and character-building, a period where I learned more about myself than any promotion could have taught me.

Over the next few months, I dug deep. I worked on my shortcomings, honed my skills, and most importantly, cultivated a resilience that would serve as a bedrock in my leadership journey. I realized that rejection wasn't a roadblock, but a detour pointing me towards the path of personal development and self-improvement.

Fast forward to today, as a leader, I cherish that period of my life. It has not only shaped me as a professional but also molded me as a person. It taught me humility, the importance of continuous learning, and the true meaning of resilience. It made me realize that every 'No' is just a 'Not yet,' and every setback is a setup for a greater comeback.

Rejection allowed me to build my character before I walked into leadership. It gave me a chance to grow, learn, and prepare for the journey ahead. It helped me become a better leader.

So, until our next encounter in this series, remember: Don't fear rejection. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you on your path to becoming a better leader. Keep growing, keep leading, and remember, every 'No' is just a 'Not yet.'

Stay tuned for more tales from my journey and lessons in leadership.

Stay Intentional,

Monique Davis