In a recent one-to-one training session, I was told: “Doors open for good people.”
I couldn’t agree more.
This doesn’t necessarily just mean those who are fundamentally decent people (although that helps), but it’s about those who combine that decency with the ability to achieve great results.
But sometimes good people need a bit of help walking through that door.
Consider the quiet ones
There’s a trend in business to reward those who shout the loudest.
If you can articulate your successes or the reasons why you deserve a promotion (or the new job you’ve applied for), then you’ll go further than most.
Is it fair?
Not really.
However, this trend misses out on the huge numbers of introverted types who could do the same job just as well – perhaps even better – therefore preventing them from making progress in their careers.
These types do get promoted, but many of them are far more likely to let imposter syndrome cloud their judgment, and dismiss a job description for a new role because they can’t do one thing out of 15 listed.
(They can do those other 14, easily!)
These are the people who need a little bit more enthusiasm and encouragement to make the most of their career.
Sound familiar?
Nurturing opportunities
However, good yet quiet people need the occasional pep talk, especially if they’re hesitating to go for a role they’d be perfect for.
Their second-guessing can cloud their judgment about their abilities, and they become paralysed by inaction.
They’re now getting in their own way.
The ultimate point of this post is to tell you that if this is you, you might not be making the most of an opportunity in front of you.
Find that person who’s your opposite, the one who’s always giving you the advice that hits home, and ask them to hold you accountable for some of your career decisions.
They might be a colleague, former colleague or mentor.
Whoever they are, they can be someone who can give you a nudge to believe in yourself when you need it most – or tell you to take a second and breathe when you’re on the verge of cracking up.
Think of them as your confidence north star.
They can help guide you towards an opportunity you think is right for you, because they know it’s right for you.
Ultimately, you’ll make that door open for yourself through your skills and personality, but they’ll give you that final bit of encouragement to take that final step through it.
If this is you and you need some encouragement, please drop me a message on LinkedIn or send me an email – I’d love to help.