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Work as a Place of Power
Author: Ann Vanino
Each day the world is at work: working for ourselves, for others, indoors, outdoors—a myriad of situations exist. On the surface, we can look at our work as a means of survival. Our wages pay for food, shelter, necessities, luxuries and even, fun. In this article, I propose a new way of looking at work. Your work is a place of power. At work you have a wealth of opportunity to increase your self-knowledge and sense of self-esteem. At work, you can grow by embracing the learning available to you there. What does this learning look like? We start with the premise that it is about personal power. In your workplace there are many challenges that, if taken, will allow you to grow as a person and as a professional who understands the game. I am a personal and professional coach. In my work with clients, I see them presented constantly with situations and interactions in their workplace that are about power. One may have a boss who underestimates their abilities and frequently belittles them. Another may find themselves frequently out of step, as if everyone else is playing a different game. Yet another, may find work running them. Their life may be way out of balance and everything and everyone around them is affected. When a client is in such a situation, I work with them to look beyond the surface and ask what is the learning here. We focus on their actions and reactions to the situation presented to them. It is not only about a nasty boss or impossible situation or what is being done to them. This is the beginning. By focusing on yourself, you immediately take control; in other words, you take the power in a situation. It does not mean you can control others’ actions, but there is power in commanding your own life. When you face a difficult situation in the workplace. Ask yourself these questions:
What is the basis of my response to this situation? Is it based on facts? Is my response purely emotional?
What is in my power to change?
How do I want to respond?
What is the particular learning for me here? How can it help me grow?
Once you’ve answered these questions thoughtfully, you are ready to develop your response to the situation. Think out what you want to do, what the possible consequences of your actions are, what actions you will take. From here, go forward. Value the learning from the situation. Acknowledge the opportunity it presents to you.
Adopting this simple process changed my life. Seeing situations at work through my own eyes, sharpened my focus. Taking situations into my own hands and responding to them increased my personal power. You can have fun with this. You can grow. You can become the arbiter of your own life rather than a target for the hapless games of others.
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Ann E. Vanino is a personal coach, speaker and writer who specializes in helping people find fulfillment in their work lives. She has over 25 years experience in the business world, in the public and private sectors and as an entrepreneur. Ann conducts a successful workshop series called Coaching Live! and offers a series of teleclasses (phone classes, usually an hour in length, with groups from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas) on prosperity in the workplace. Ann is writing a book on personal power in the workplace. You can find information and register for Ann’s teleclasses at: http://www.teleclass4u.com/teleclasses/viewclasses.cfm?leadid=85. Ann can be reached at dreamaev@earthlink.net.
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