The Perils of Success

John Maxwell Success Seminar Flickr


How to work more efficiently!
How to work more effectively!
How to become a great leader!
How to be the backbone of your organization!
…and on…and on…

The resources to achieve this kind of success are legion. Do a search engine query and the results will be in the millions.

Positively speaking, achieving these goals will earn you the recognition and respect of the multitudes of professionals in your peer group.

But there is another aspect to achieving this kind of success, and if you are familiar with my writing you already know I have a penchant for changing lenses and looking at things from as odd an angle as I can find. So, let's take a look at how excellence can be percieved as a negaitive.

Negatively speaking, achieving these goals will earn you the recognition and respect of the multitudes of professionals in your peer group.

I know, I know. It sounds like an oxymoron. But, let’s take a moment to process this.

At the sake of being presumptuous and egocentric, I use my own experiences as an illustration. First, the set up.

Some time ago I decided to take a look at my professional development and analyze how successful I thought I was. What I discovered was, although I had all the superficial prerequisites for success (advance degrees, in field work, the appropriate skill set), I wasn’t receiving much acknowledgement for my work.

At this point I set about creating the strategies that would get me the acknowledgements I sought (promotions, more money, greater challenges, recognition as an expert).

I read the works of Dale Carnegie, John Maxwell, Rosa Say, Phil Gerbyshak and a plethora of other gurus on personal and professional development. Then I took the additional step of actually applying the techniques and strategies of these rabbinical leaders.

On the positive side, I have achieved a greater level of efficiency. I have learned to devise and implement more effective techniques. I have become recognized as the in house expert in my field. I have become one of the key players in the future direction of our department.

All of these accomplishments I credit to the giants on whose shoulders I have stood that I mentioned above.

On the negative side, the recognition of increased efficiency has led many to believe that I am capable of unlimited volumes of work without a loss of quality. I am not.

Recognition of the effectiveness of the strategies and tools I employ has led my supervisors to conclude that I should be able to address the most difficult of circumstances with ready success. I can not.

Recognition of motivation techniques in my area of expertise has led my supervisors to believe I can motivate anyone, under any circumstances. I can not.

Recognition of performance of many functions as a utility player in our organization has led my supervisors to believe I can competently perform any task within our organization. I can not.

In summation, the blame must fall upon none other than me for applying the strategies of the giants in my merely mortal realm.

Elemental Value Added Truth: Be careful what you wish for. You may get it.