You have little experience in the professional environment so it is understandable that you would have prejudices about it. You have heard your life long that it’s a “dog eat dog world out there” However if you think everyone is focused of self promotion you would be wrong at least in professions I have personal insight. Some people are focused of self promotion in the workplace but they are focused on self promotion everywhere. They are the same way in church activities, in sporting activities, on the internet and even in sewing circles I would be willing to bet. Focusing on self promotion is one of the harder ways to get in to leadership positions within a profession.

You have not been in a profession so you may confuse leader with bosses. Bosses can be leaders and you ever blessed to work for one you will appreciate the experience. Sadly bosses are sometimes not leaders and it is a common pastime of workers to talk about them. It has been my experience that pride is the problem with those bosses. Pride is inherent in us all so I try not to engage in the talk.

You have not been in a profession so you may confuse a leader with the people in a company that make the most money. Leaders are certainly valuable and valued by a company but they are not the best paid. Your Mom is a leader where she works and she is not the best paid but she is certainly valued. Her company has gone through a lot of upheaval and many people have been let go, but she is still there. In addition her company gave her accommodation that they did not do for others. Why do you think that is? She certainly works hard but I would bet that quantity of work performed is not the reason. I suspect it is her leading, teaching and servant leadership that is valued because those are the qualities that have been valued in all the professional work places I have work at.

I am moving to a new office and I came across some class notes from a leadership class I attended about eight years. One team exercise we performed was listing our lifelong leadership lessons. The following is the unedited comments from my team which included both men and women.

1. Be honest in your listening and speaking

2. Give what you want

3. Take responsibility, learn to follow up

4. Know what is required and assume authority to do it.

5. Personal pride is a motivator in itself

6. Don’t work for shit heads – vote with your feet – learn to walk way

7. Have the courage and tenacity to make or lead the changes necessary

8. Put yourself in the other persons shoes

I see the golden rule in the list and a lot of servant leadership. What I do not see is much self promotion. If you do then blame the secretary, me, because I have always been impressed with the selflessness of the people I have met in my leadership classes, in particular the women. I love you and hope you become a servant leader.

I was not upset over a dividing line between motherhood and careerhood as much as I was about the fact that there is a strong temptation to spend too much time on self promotion instead of being servants as exemplified by Christ.

Lastly, beware how you hone your blade between motherhood and careerhood. Many will cross it and will be cut in your eyes over the years. It is an unnecessary heartbreak to do that family and friends.

Love John