In today's episode, we're diving into the thought-provoking question: "Are you missed at work?" With the shift back to office environments, it's crucial to understand how your presence (or absence!) impacts your team and your personal brand. We'll discuss ways to gauge your value, whether through direct conversations, 360 reviews, or self-reflection. Remember, being missed isn't just about being likable – it's about aligning your contributions with your goals and ensuring you're making the impact you desire. So, are you ready to uncover the reasons behind your workplace presence? 

In uncertain times and under exceptional circumstances, leadership is strained and stressful. In "peacetime," where work is quite clear and career aspirations appear realistic and achievable, all this becomes thrown out the window when one has to operate in an environment that is equivalent to a battleground for relevancy, power, and survival. One must then ask themselves, how they can keep people inspired and motivated when everything in arm's distance from the island they operate on says "run for the hills!" And so one must ask, "Are you one with the people?" And if not, how do you even get there, or get back there after a prolonged passage of time? That's in this episode of the Working Ant.

There’s an old stoic saying that saying what is unnecessary, often leads to saying more than it is necessary. And so one must act as though he/she is the moderator of what they choose to say over what may be a natural byproduct of their personality.

Context is everything. And so when you find yourself sharing something that may be an off the cuff remark, ask yourself if what you’re about to share is relevant, and more importantly, if it will lead to a better outcome – a more immersive and intimate relationship, an action that is ready to be made, a coaching opportunity for someone who may not be aware of his/her audience and is ready to deliver an important presentation.

Keep your tongue warm means that you can control what is said knowing full well of the consequences and influence it may have on others.

If you don’t have something nice to say, not saying it may also be detrimental to the person you’re trying to help or make a point to.  Instead think about the words you choose carefully and deliberately.

Keeping your tongue warm and being aware of its placement in your mouth can regulate your language, word choice, tone, and delivery in a way that is more impactful and deliberate.

And so, the next time you choose to let your tongue out “into the cold” or “out for a walk,” think through how you can bring it back safely indoors!

We often forgo the closest things to us, but we don't lose character, we simply lose sight of it. The quality of one’s character is what gives birth to one’s personality. It’s the bedrock to the base and the beacon in the light of careers and contributions.  Character channels charisma and character powers craft.

Through it all, character at its core is what enables our ability to count on ourselves – the person in the mirror, the one staring at his/herself in the rearview pondering life’s givings and misgivings. If you feel you've lost the way, let character center you. Call on it and count on it with the conviction that it gives you.

Our expectations stick to us like a shadow to the body - always following us as a reminder of the presence and power they hold over our life satisfaction. Little do we reflect on why they are there nor do we contemplate reassessing their content and quality. Since we're almost at the half year mark, it's important to revisit the origins of where they've come from and the power they yield over us in how we conduct our day to day. Understand that these expectations are reflections of who you believe your potential to become. While this can cause a great amount of unnecessary stress, it can also deliver much needed joy in the journey. My hope is that you achieve the latter. Here's my approach to it.

There's something about the allure of the person who can see light in the midst of darkness. These days, optics of optimism are a rarity but a necessity. Without clarity on our motivations, we're spinning and spitting out work with little to speak for and celebrate. As a working professional you must go beyond your fellow peers and understand that if you are to get out this funk ahead, seeing opportunity when there is none is what will be your key differentiator. Look at your world not from the lens of its inhabitants, but from from its colonizers. See the efforts and painstaking demands of today as a small cost to your greater goals. Doing so elevates the primary reason for your success - motivation - which in turn produces unlimited will power to capitalize opportunity in the darkness. Like the lynx, you will see things others cannot. And like the lynx, your target will be clear when there is no light.

Do I want your life?

This is more than a fair question to ask, but rather a necessary one, not to compare yourself to others, but rather to anchor on the possibilities for yourself based on theirs.

For the sake of the conversation, let me double down on the latter half of the statement above and say that to compare yourself with others is often a theft of happiness when you look at your current circumstances from a perspective of deficiency rather than one of opportunity.

Understand: You shouldn’t be ignorant and oblivious to the direction you are heading in your career. Often this anchor comes from the power of proximity of those around us and the limited but influencing and impactful visibility we have in their lives.

Someone’s life may seem ideal for you and their style of influence and leadership can inspire you – this is wonderful. 

Other times, it’s the opposite. And that’s OK.

Consider: Building an ability to audit personal satisfaction through conversation and interaction. Rather than focus on what a person in power is saying, focus on what they are feeling beyond the subject matter itself. 

If this person was on mute and you were disengaged from the subject; would they appear content with their lives? Would they be pleased with the accomplishments they have made in their careers? How would you perceive their character if you did not know them?

Acting like a stranger to what you interact with, gives you new perspective and can often be the most objective.

Do I want your life?

This is a subjective question but asking it can be quite telling.

I’m personally one that believes that the quality of our lives is dependent on the quality of relationships we have. When I look at people I aspire towards, I look it from the lens of the relationships they have with their peers, teams, friends, and family.

What is one primary quality you value in people? What individual do you interact with today that lives out this quality? Do you aspire to have more of those qualities yourself?

Remember: Achievement and Failure are based on the goals you set out for yourself. No one has more control over this than you. And so when you see someone who has appeared to “achieve,” ask what this really means to you – you may be surprised to see this person’s life (and your own) very differently after doing so.

You need not a reminder that if you want to get the lift back into your feet and the lightness in your walk, you must have a goal that is focused and enlivening - something that excites you, brings you closure or comfort in the present and injects confidence in the uncertainty around you. You also must accept the reality of resources in that you may not have the space or time to think through how to turn the influx of work, tasks, projects, and processes into something profitable. What is profitability anyways other than what you define it? It can be about money, title, scope, learning, impact, relationships, and personal growth - this is for you to define. However, you must make what you do profitable. Make this a must. Return on your own investment to the services you rendered through a paycheck by taking what you do and turning it into what you always wanted it to be. You may think this is an impossible task - but it's no more impossible than the tasks you are working on day in and out with turning in projects on time and with the quality indicative of the greatness that you are. And yet do not rely on anyone to take your possible and make it profitable. I urge you to make your possible, profitable. Here are few ideas how. Keep believing in yourself. You know your value and worth. There is still time. Thank you for investing your time with me.