I had been looking to start this blog for a long time. I thought about the tone it should carry, style of writing, topics, what will make a good read, or what people want…I’ve finally made up my mind. I will write what I believe in and in style that I enjoy writing in !
Most people in our professional or personal lives try to be or do things that other people want of them. Lets discuss how we fall for this in our professional lives ever so often.
Being Inspired or trying to impress is one thing, but don't lose yourself by idolising or aping someone else !
Its said copying is the best form of flattery. This we do to impress, get our superior's approval or simply to satisfy our need to fit in. Lot of times, this happens sub-consciously that we may not even know we are doing it.
I observe people as part of my job and also because I simply like it, for it gives me a lot of perspective. Here are a few things that I observed in the recent past…
People start aping their bosses:
This is done either to get closer to the boss, get their approval or simply to get noticed. They start playing the sport of the bosses liking or atleast taking an interest, start using favorite phrases, small idiosyncrasies, change the books on their bookshelf or the playlist on iPod. Social Media tastes and profile - FB, Twitter and other updates too go through a change…yes you get the gist. Lot of this is harmless and natural part of the growing up process.
However this 'Ape the boss' strategy can subtly but definitely lead the individual to becoming a 'yes man' and company's culture to one of 'yes sir-ship’. The aping strategy is a result of our motive to get high-up’s approval and what better way than to get in line with him/her at a time of decision? Its important to self reflect as there is only a fine line between being inspired to make self improvement to aping so many traits of the other so as to lose your'self' in the process.
In time we become a shadow of the boss and lose most of what we originally were.
Not much creativity can come out of a group of all similar minds:
If this aping hurts an individual, it will hurt the company as well. We need people with diverse minds and perspectives to be a part of a team. Discussion is when people speak their minds that are not identical. Those who have become the bosses reflection don’t realise, the boss already knows what he knows, he does not want another one to re-iterate it for him. You are on the team to be yourself and for your work, but you are trying hard to be someone else? what an irony !
Creativity is a complex phenomenon and seems to flow in environments that are flexible, open & unstructured. Being alike allows little wriggle room for creativity.
Leverage on your uniqueness
On the other hand, if you harnessed your 'uniqueness' there will be no limiting factors and you can flourish!
Be yourself - take the home ground advantage !
You to yourself is what home ground is to a sportsman. On home ground, you are full of confidence given the familiarity.
Trying to fit in or be someone else is playing defence & being fearful of making mistakes or of being wrong. You are at your best when you are yourself without inhibitions and pre tense. Ofcourse, you do need to conform to general acceptable rules of your workplace and peer group.This being yourself is not about you being 'stubborn' and sticking to 'my way or the highway' but rather finding that middle ground where conforming to the team, society or company doesnt cost you - ‘yourself'.
Think of yourself as an artist who delivers the same piece of art but with his own unique touch.
That’s the route I chose to start my writing here by following my hearts calling, deciding to write about stuff I am passionate about, in my own unique style - and here I am with my much awaited blog kicked off !
