What's your freestyle?

In some sports the competition focuses on two elements, the compulsory and the freestyle programs. If you take a closer look, you just might find it a useful and empowering metaphor for your work.

Take the example of figure skating, where they have a two programs, One where skaters have to perform a list of required elements (jumps, spins, steps), the other where skaters have more elements (also called "free skate"). You're probably wondering what on earth this might have to do with your job, right? Well, we've all been adults for a while. We're all grown up and we come to work, day after day after day, giving our best in the best interests of our employer. We know what we need to do and we know what we want to do and - even though we often don't embrace it - we actually do know that we can act on both, the need and the want, the compulsory as well as the freestyle.

The "compulsory" is what's in your job description. It is what you've been hired to deliver on. You know exactly what that is because you focus on it every day. It is core and it comes with a good degree of pride. It is your expertise, it is the thing you're good at and the thing you're always aiming to get better at. For this, all you need is your line manager's trust - someone who enables and empowers and then steps out of the way. Someone you can always rely on to be there when you have a need. But by and large, you run your show within your realm of influence, you deliver, time and time again to the best of your abilities.

The "freestyle" is what's not in your job description. The freestyle is everything else that's out there, just beyond your daily business. It is everything you don't have to do - but it's what you've thought about - the things you'd like to do, the wishes, the dreams, the "want to do". Freestyle comes in the form of rotations, projects, initiatives, trainings, charities, personal growth drives and much more. These are things that come with additional work, that's for sure. Sometimes lots of additional work - and challenges - and, because of that, chances to grow beyond your expertise. For the freestyle part, a line manager must be a true enabler, someone who makes it possible and who gives the thumbs up.

Why should you focus a chunk of your attention on the freestyle part? Simple - there are mountains of pure motivation in it for you in the form of new discoveries, experiences, skills and people. Even if you love your compulsory (and I hope you do!), that thing you do day-in day-out can become a bit stale over time. Freestyle brings fresh air into your life at work. But, like I said, it comes with additional work - so you better really want what you're asking for. 

As my most recent example of freestyle - see above picture! I created a mural at work, on my own time, of course - and it was deeply enriching - about a week's worth of work that was pure bliss (and all of that joy flows back into the "compulsory" as well, of course). I would love to hear what you're doing or what you've done beyond your compulsory - what it is, how it feels, the difference it makes - for you, for others, for Swiss Re. So, what's your freestyle?