For most of my career, I have owned my own business and worked for companies simultaneously to maintain multiple streams of income. While there are benefits in both options, career growth and personal image were paramount as I navigated the different spaces.
THE PATH AHEAD
Sometimes how to grow and elevate is not easy to determine when you are sitting at the top of the organizational chart. To be fair, it isn’t always outlined in companies, either. Mentoring is vital to progressing past common mistakes and can speed up your progress as you learn from others’ experiences.
When I decided to anchor my business on professional speaking, I not only became involved with the local and national levels of the National Speakers Association, but I also actively sought out several mentors in the association, who now give me business advice. We meet regularly. I come prepared with questions and always ask if I can assist them because the strongest relationships are win-win. I repeat that practice with associations in my field of expertise. Joining industry associations expands your network and opens you up to professional development and mentors. Learning is a continuous process. Individually, we will never know it all.
TO CONFORM OR NOT TO CONFORM?
That is indeed the question. However, the answer is not always clear. Entering any organization comes with an introduction to its culture and the expectations of those who work there. For me, the biggest dichotomy between traditional organizations and my own was the expectation of how I would, should and could show up. The distinctions are not always written or expressed, but evident in the environment or expectations of the external community, aka the customers. Sometimes, they are self-imposed. In those contexts, “fitting in” lends to the perception of affiliation.
Years ago, there wasn’t a difference between my personal style, work style or stage presence. Initially, I was just showing up how I naturally was. As I changed, I tempered what I would do in the work environment so that my image wouldn’t detract from my message or purpose in the role.
Today donning a curly purple mohawk and Converse shoes, I am acutely aware that some doors will swing open, and others won’t. However, I’m at that stage of life and self-awareness that I’m okay with that. I don’t need all doors; I need the right ones. Those that aren’t there, I’ll create.
