Work/Life Success: Take the Elevator Up!
Michael Robinson, M.S.
AWARD WINNING EXECUTIVE! Top 5% Most Viewed LinkedIn Profile in America, 2012. My super-power is helping professionals realize their full potential via transformational career development presentations! ΚΑΨ????
by Rev. Michael Robinson, M.S.
In today’s ever changing/ever demanding business landscape, the journey to success can be likened to riding an elevator. Just as an elevator traverses different floor levels, each level in the business world represents stages of growth, challenges, and opportunities that are sometime fleeting. By not paying attention and missing the floor you should have exited on, such lack of attention can cause you to miss opportunities for success.
?
The utility of the elevator’s rise or downward direction is a powerful metaphor that can provide valuable insights into the rise or fall of our success, resulting from deliberate choices we make. Entering the elevator, you choose what direction you want to go, and being indecisive won’t cut it.? Indecisiveness can lead to others determining your direction and that can have unwanted and unanticipated consequences, loss of time going in the wrong direction, and ultimately resulting in not achieving your intended level of business success.
?
When we enter an elevator, we have a destination in mind. Similarly, successful businesses begin with a defined vision or goal. According to Harvard Business Review, a clear vision aligns an organization’s efforts and serves as a guiding star during turbulent times, “vision provides an inspiring portrait of what it will look like and feel like to achieve the organization’s (and/or personal) mission and goals.” ?- Michael D. Watkins, Vision Decisions, Harvard Business Review.? This vision functions as the button we press, initiating our ascent. Without it, we risk aimlessly drifting between floors, missing opportunities along the way.
?
As the elevator ascends, it encounters various floors—challenges and triumphs that a business must navigate. Forbes points out that resilience is key in overcoming obstacles. Just as an elevator might momentarily stop at a floor, businesses will face temporary setbacks. “Whether you are dealing with a challenging personnel decision or a complex business dilemma, run it through the filter of your core values. On a personal level, my faith played a significant role in dealing with these challenges. Meditation and seeking clarity in decision-making helped me navigate through tough times. It allowed me to cleanse my thoughts and approach each situation with a clear mind and a sense of purpose.” - George Baker Sr., Forbes Councils Member.
?
Embracing challenges as learning experiences is essential for long-term growth and success. Each "stop" presents an opportunity for reflection and adjustment, allowing firms to realign their strategies for better outcomes.
?
The speed of the elevator can represent the pace of market trends and technological advancements. As noted by Harvard Business Review, businesses must adapt quickly to maintain their competitive edge, paralleling how an elevator relies on efficient mechanics to function smoothly. “Increasingly, managers are finding that it stems from the “second-order” organizational capabilities that foster rapid adaptation. Instead of being good at doing some particular thing, companies must be really good at learning how to do new things.” – Harvard Business Review, “Adaptability: The New Competitive Advantage”
?
Embracing innovation, cultivating agility, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement are crucial for elevating a business above its competition.
?
The greatest height achieved in an elevator often correlates with the strength of the foundation upon which it stands. Forbes emphasizes the importance of building robust relationships with stakeholders, customers, and employees. How can we build robust relationships with stakeholders, customers, and employees? ??In its article, “20 Authentic Ways To Build Strong Relationships With Company Stakeholders” – Forbes offers these suggested best practices (abridged list):
?
Like a well-constructed elevator shaft, a supportive network ensures stability during the ascent to success. Engaging with these stakeholders and nurturing collaboration can provide the lift needed to rise above guaranteed challenges.
?
The elevator metaphor encapsulates the multifaceted journey to work/life success. With a clear vision as the starting point, resilience in the face of challenges, the agility to adapt to changing environments, and strong relationships as the foundation, businesses can successfully ascend the heights of their potential. By harnessing these elements, individuals and companies can not only reach their goals but also position themselves for sustained growth in an ever-evolving workforce landscape.
?
# # #