Page 93 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

74 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

Just thinking about what you have, where you’ve been, and what
you’ve accomplished has to add to your self-esteem a little at least. Don’t
take those things for granted.
I don’t need a high-profile life or the trappings—the stuff. This is not
my identity. If my name is never in the Wall Street Journal, I’m okay
with that. I know what I can do.

Too many times in self-development endeavors it’s all about what
you need to do more of, do differently, or do better. You forget to weigh
in on all that you already have going for yourself. For most of us, given
what we’ve been given, we’ve done pretty well.
What you bring to the table—who you are and what you can do—
is a sufficient starting point. If in your self-examination you see a gap—
“Hmmm, I’m about 10 pounds overweight” or “I need more accounting
acumen”—do something about it. You will gain confidence in (1) know-
ing more about yourself, (2) realizing that pointing out a deficiency beats
someone else doing it (with this self-knowledge, you can chose to do some-
thing about it), (3) understanding that choosing to make a change puts
you in control and not under someone else’s control, and (4) knowing that
you’re empowered.

Expect Acceptance; You’re Adequate

While all those things that you’re good at are fresh in your memory, appre-
ciate the fact that you are broadly adequate. I know that this doesn’t seem
grand and great enough to many of you, but if you think about it, the flip
side of being adequate is being inadequate, which is what people who lack
confidence feel. You can go for grand and great if you insist, but for a start,
target being adequate—no, broadly adequate! That is sufficient. Right
now, you are a human being who is able, ample, sufficient, and plenty
capable enough.
Tell yourself, “I’m adequate as a parent, spouse, boss, friend, peer,
mentor, coach, sibling, leader” and the rest. (Go ahead and say it to your-
self right now, preferably out loud. See how realistic it sounds to you—
because you speak the truth.)