I had a conversation with my brother last night about his job and some struggles he is dealing with. As a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry, he’s a science guy. I’m a marketing gal, so you could say we see a lot of things very differently. He likes rules and structure. I’m a little more free form.
The project he is working on is behind schedule. He believes that there is nothing he can do about his team running behind. Leadership in the organization won’t support him trying out some new things to get his project headed in the right direction, he feels. “I’m just a peon and can’t do anything to change how things are done,” he said.
Hearing this made me a little sad. I wanted to start spouting off Gandhi quotes (You know the one: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”) and suggesting books and articles he should read. Instead, I shared these three thoughts:
In any industry, work can be frustrating. Projects run behind schedule. Wrong parts get ordered. You may not get the right attention for a problem you dedicated your entire week to solving. Maybe you feel stuck without solutions. Keep on working anyway. Leadership is not defined by title. Be defined by ability, the example you set, and the impact you make – at any level.
photo credit: © Satoshi Miyazaki– stock.adobe.com
Work can be frustrating. Wrong parts get ordered, an important task falls by the wayside, or your boss ignores a solution you brought to the table. How do you lead, especially when you feel like more of a peon? Share your thoughts below or with Girl Wonder directly.
Speak Your Mind