I went to schools that gave me the freedom to think for myself despite being situated in the uber-structured Indian educational system. But these were also schools that tried to teach me to be a good (read obedient) student. And as I was telling my husband the other day, that usually translated into trying to be the angelic, teacher's pet whenever possible.
Growing up, I was always some sort of a school 'leader', whether it be class monitor or house prefect. But, I rarely challenged adult authority openly, much preferring the comfort of agreeing with those in power.
As I started to work in communications, traditionally seen as a 'support role', this tendency continued. My job was to write and do what was needed to make the company and bosses look good. So, I did that to the best of my ability. As I changed companies, I also came across a variety of bosses, from very good ones who wanted to teach me 'the trade' through plain crazy to those who cleverly took the credit for my achievements. True to self though, I continued to stay away from challenging my superiors at work.
Until about a year ago, when I volunteered myself to manage communications for a client, who has since turned into my favourite client of all time. That partnership was my professional turning point. From a communications support person, I transitioned to becoming a communications partner; able to advise and brainstorm ideas with a senior executive who is both intelligent and genuine, a rare combination in the shark tank that is the corporate world.
So, recently, when I was asked to take on another senior client, I had the skills and more importantly, the confidence to start the new engagement with a high-profile assignment. But as I was preparing for this assignment, something strange happened -- I had to challenge somebody over numbers -- a topic I try very hard not to argue about. When I saw some numbers that made no sense to me, however, I politely asked about their accuracy. The owner of the information was taken aback but agreed to look at the content more closely. Apparently that did not reveal any discrepancies and I was asked to explain my question. Not quite sure of my own footing, I ventured to provide more detail, all the while trying to be as polite as I could. At the end of the exchange, the owner of the information understood and accepted my perspective as accurate. Also, very sadly, admitted that nobody had ever questioned that content.
The admission made me both sad and happy. While it made me sad to think that there are those of us who do our jobs and consume content numbly, it made me really happy to know that in a good workplace, standing up to Goliath is about having faith in your convictions. Especially when those convictions stem from common sense and are in an area you don't necessarily consider your strong suit.
Growing up, I was always some sort of a school 'leader', whether it be class monitor or house prefect. But, I rarely challenged adult authority openly, much preferring the comfort of agreeing with those in power.
As I started to work in communications, traditionally seen as a 'support role', this tendency continued. My job was to write and do what was needed to make the company and bosses look good. So, I did that to the best of my ability. As I changed companies, I also came across a variety of bosses, from very good ones who wanted to teach me 'the trade' through plain crazy to those who cleverly took the credit for my achievements. True to self though, I continued to stay away from challenging my superiors at work.
Until about a year ago, when I volunteered myself to manage communications for a client, who has since turned into my favourite client of all time. That partnership was my professional turning point. From a communications support person, I transitioned to becoming a communications partner; able to advise and brainstorm ideas with a senior executive who is both intelligent and genuine, a rare combination in the shark tank that is the corporate world.
So, recently, when I was asked to take on another senior client, I had the skills and more importantly, the confidence to start the new engagement with a high-profile assignment. But as I was preparing for this assignment, something strange happened -- I had to challenge somebody over numbers -- a topic I try very hard not to argue about. When I saw some numbers that made no sense to me, however, I politely asked about their accuracy. The owner of the information was taken aback but agreed to look at the content more closely. Apparently that did not reveal any discrepancies and I was asked to explain my question. Not quite sure of my own footing, I ventured to provide more detail, all the while trying to be as polite as I could. At the end of the exchange, the owner of the information understood and accepted my perspective as accurate. Also, very sadly, admitted that nobody had ever questioned that content.
The admission made me both sad and happy. While it made me sad to think that there are those of us who do our jobs and consume content numbly, it made me really happy to know that in a good workplace, standing up to Goliath is about having faith in your convictions. Especially when those convictions stem from common sense and are in an area you don't necessarily consider your strong suit.
