Many times our work experiences boil down to ‘no pain no gain’, our being prepared to do what scares us to make the progress we need. Here are four acts of bravery worth considering.
Apply for a job even if not 100 percent qualified: We all know instances where the candidate that is hired does not fit the job requirements fully. The fact is what an organisation aims for with adverts is to attract the ideal candidate. So don’t expect to meet job requirement 100 percent. If you meet about 70 percent of the essential requirements, put your hat in the ring. Make sure first in your application and hopefully in the interview you explain what you’ll bring to the role and the organisation.
Show your boss how they can get better: No matter how experienced a manager is, the human factor always means they have to work out how best to manage each individual. That’s not easy and many managers don’t do too well on this. But that needn’t be the case if you find ways to share your thoughts with your manager on how what they are doing is helping you do your best and what is not.
Hold a lazy/ unhelpful co-worker to account: If your colleague is consistently doing something that negatively impacts on work, it’s as much your responsibility as it is your supervisor’s to speak to your colleague about it, especially if it affects your work. Be respectful and professional when you do so.
Stop waiting to be led and lead yourself: Very few people are naturally brave, but when a situation you find yourself in will only take you one way- backwards or downwards— bravery becomes your only option. So whether it’s walking away from a manager that treats you disrespectfully, passing up a job that you know will leave you uninspired or indeed looking yourself in the eye and making a difficult choice when you’d rather skirt the issue, it’s all about being brave.
Now take action: What’s the bravest thing you’ve done in your career?
