In the world of work, there is a degree of acceptance and / approval – by managers and / or colleagues or even third parties eg suppliers and external contractors. Ok, this may not apply to everyone. However, some readers will recognise such a “pressure” exists. This can be about a notion of following a leader, from whom we seek or expect approval or acceptance. When I cease to think in terms of such approval from my managers and colleagues, the “pressure” of work greatly decreases. But, this sense of “pressure” returns when I ask myself whether I want to “do well” in my job – lest my performance (or perceived lack of by others) leads me to lose the job.
My recent experience (“left, right…”, and “coming…”) has taken me to such a place: where my job performance is beyond the specification of the role. Whether the “extra” that I do (above my grade) is “good” and “fitting” is no longer an issue since the managers to whom such “extra” work performance would benefit are not there to know, experience, evaluate or give direct feedback on.
I know my job performance is hitting at a higher level and appreciated and valued by my team leader. That, I am also supported by and encouraged to work more on by the leader. That is also confirmation I am doing the right thing, well, and on the right track. There is no expectation from the leader I should or ought to come up with such new ideas, and to implement and lead them.
As such, these are pieces of work for which I don’t need, require, or expect to have a leader. I am the leader of my work, if a leader is required. No followers are required since these pieces of work are in existence independent of whether followers exist. I work in the way (the “extra”) since I am capable at the higher grade, but working at a lower grade. It is only true to myself that I perform at that capacity, rather than “short-changing” myself in lowering or limiting what I can do.
This gives interesting conceptualisation of the job and my own psyche of my “self” with respect to the job I do. I do it in my own terms, with little, if any, need for acceptance by managers. I know the leadership, the implementation, and the output of my work is of some quality, because of my previous experience of such that then led to achievements and recognised by managers. I am in a luxurious position in that now I contribute to my work without being judged, and continuously reviewed, by managers who assess my work in their terms rather than mine.
Leaders I am not looking for, nor followers. If they come about, they will fit to my terms of working. What a turn in career.
