A Year Later...Where Do We Go From Here

I have to say, it's been an interesting year since my departure from Edelman. I traveled to Dubai, reconnected with old friends, spent important time with my son, and took on a job that brought my soul the peace I had been looking for the past, probably 10 years.

This year has allowed me to be introspective, self-evaluative, and redefining (or recapturing) of the person I want to be for the rest of the time I have drawing breath.

Here's how I'm changing it up:

1. I need to believe in myself. I found that I was changing "me" to "manage" my work environment. Fundamentally changing my persona to try and keep my head above water, when if I had stayed true to who I am, and believed in my abilities, I would have had the opportunity to change the environment, and maybe made it better for those around me. It's that belief that I've taken into my new position at St. Benedict Prep, and what drives me going forward.
2. Authenticity at the core. What I mean by that is, don't compromise yourself to "get through" a moment or a "political play" that makes you uncomfortable. 9/10 times it's not going to cost you your job, but 10/10 times it will cost you your integrity, and if you're like me, that's difficult to live with in the real world. If you don't know, admit it, and figure out if you can learn it or bring a solution. If it's unethical, decline to participate, it's likely there are others in the room that feel like you but won't say it, so be brave. If it doesn't change, and you can't effect real change, then contemplate moving on. The drag on your soul will become an issue if it continues.
3. Never tell a lie, and you never have to remember what you said. -- Mark Twain  And what I'm talking about here, isn't really lies, but those little justifications you make to yourself for participating in workplace gossip or tear-downs of another coworker. I use to believe the "more you know" the more influence you have in your workspace, but it's more about how you protect what you know. It's about how you build up your coworkers, how you decline to participate in gossip and how you show respect for others. If you haven't walked in their shoes, don't judge the path they walk. And while "knowledge is power" they don't mean dirty, little secrets, they mean how you actually DO your job, how you work WITH others, and how you build them UP, not tear them down.
4. Life is too short to be anything but kind.  We're here, this lifetime, for a finite time. Do you really want to leave it being remembered as the top gross sales person, or the one who had their staff member's back when their parent died and they didn't have any vacation time, and you worked it out so they could have the time off? Do you really want to be known as the person who screamed and swore at your staff in meetings, or the one who mentored and helped others maybe even surpass you? Do you really want to throw a staff member under the bus so you look good, when you ultimately should be responsible for the mistake; or the one that protected, educated and fixed it?  When I leave this earth, I want to know that I treated others fairly, that I helped those who needed it, that I guided young minds in the right direction, that I loved as much or more than I was loved, and that I left this place better than I came into it.
5. Love what you do, AND at least LIKE who you do it with. Sounds trite, but it's not. Of course we all want to do what we love, but we're sometimes distracted by salary or economic/family need. We would all love to have a happy workplace, but don't we own our part in the making of that environment? I chose my job based on making a difference and helping an organization I believe in wholeheartedly. I lucked out and actually enjoy all those I work with on a daily basis. We're moving the needle, we're making a difference in kids' lives. And I've found joy.

Don't get me wrong, every experience I've had up until now has prepared me just for this opportunity. And while work is being done to make my position a more permanent one, (fingers crossed) I am lucky enough to have friends who need my "particular set of skills" and can keep me busy until we finalize things, thus allowing me to test the waters at the "kindest" company out there right now. 

Be the change you want to see in the world... I love that phrase, 10 words that say so much.