Becoming a Beginner Again

We spend years building expertise. Then, without quite noticing, we build our lives around never having to be without it.

After decades in the corporate world, most recently as an EVP, I took a sabbatical. And at one point I took a physically demanding job. Most people around me thought it was completely irrational. Even the people closest to me questioned it.

Truthfully, part of it was ego. Something local was being poorly managed, and I figured I could fix it from the inside. High achievers often believe they can outwork dysfunction if they care enough.

I was wrong. It humbled the hell out of me.

The work stripped away titles, status and hierarchy. People simply showed up and worked. I got to be a beginner again, and I found connection.

Humbling. Simple. Human.

My new Influential Women piece is about that, the "That isn't me" box we build around our competence, and why a leader's relationship with not knowing is contagious.

What have you ruled out with "That isn't me"?

Link in the first comment.

#reinvention #leadership #careerchange