Which is the more important key to success?
Usually I have a firm answer. On this one, I don’t. I’ve never been very popular. I’m too polarizing. If success is wanting what you have, by that measure I consider myself successful.
I’ve worked for some pretty popular people. One guy was handsome, charming, liked by most, and obviously surpassed me on the chain because I worked for him. However, he frequently was without his wallet (driver’s license a must in outside sales), didn’t wear a watch (pre-cell phone days when you actually needed one), was always late to meetings, borrowing money, and apologizing a lot. Apologies are great, but you shouldn’t need to be constantly apologizing for yourself.
As I said, I’ve never had a high popularity quotient. I’m the kind of person that gets along naturally with the difficult people that don’t get along with many. Kindred spirits? I’ve learned to get along with a broad range of people as a necesssity of my career path.
But I am opinionated and vocal, thus polarizing. This never leads to popularity. However, when my results are effective, respect ensues. It is frequently at the expense of popularity.
The takehome – if you stick your neck out with an unpopular idea, it better work or you might pay a costly price.
July 31, 2011 at 3:45 pm |
Professionally, I would rather be respected than popular. The same pretty much goes for personally, too, although it depends on who is evaluating me.
I happen to know that you were NOT low on the popularity ladder as a young woman, and I’m willing to bet you’re selling yourself short today!
July 31, 2011 at 3:56 pm |
Lisa, thanks for your inaugural comment. And for the compliment. However, I think you must have me confused with someone else. You knew me in highschool. I believe I had 1 date during my HS career and it did not go well (understatement). And, if you recall, I was attached at the hip and shoulder to Lori, as far as my friends were concerned.
July 31, 2011 at 5:49 pm |
Lisa, more pertinent to the topic at hand now, I used to feel the way you express yourself above. “I’m going to do it this way whether I’m liked or not”. Then I learned that’s the hard way there. Much smarter to balance popularity with doing the right and respectful thing. Otherwise your message might be lost because of the method.