Self-Esteem Belongs In Business (Part II)

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT NOW?

As technology continues to progress, people are having to learn new ways of living and also working. Many are concerned about the threat of AI taking their jobs and the ways that would change how we are accustomed to working our jobs. However, after a recent re-read of "The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem" by Nathaniel Branden, I would say that we are even less prepared for how we will have to work together with other people (real and artificial) as the structure of work continues to change. We saw a shift through the pandemic that has showed many skeptics that work can be done remotely. Now, hybrid schedules are becoming very common because it's possible. But what Braden talks about specifically, is that as work evolves, we must as well. Though the world of work has not changed drastically in modern times, change is coming and self-esteem is one of the most effective tools to help all of us survive and remain marketable when those changes arrive. Self-esteem greatly impacts how we handle:

• Adapting to Constant Change

• Embracing Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

• Building Meaningful Relationships and Collaboration

• Unlocking Personal Potential

ADAPTING TO CONSTANT CHANGE

Once you have lived long enough you come to learn that nothing remains the same. You may also come to learn that a strong sense of self makes navigating the waters of change easier than when you don't have one. It can be tempting to believe that an occupation, salary, title or company reputation defines who we are. Fortunately, that is untrue. However, the structure of business and work has not evolved much and confirms these beliefs to an extent. Therefore, any drastic changes can be seen as instability or dangerous to those who refuse to adopt a different way of thinking. When life happens and change rocks our worlds, self-esteem will be a main ingredient to a formula for success. This is also true for business owners (especially in the beginning) who have to deal with frequent change and in some cases, they are the source of the change. Branden states that a common cause of failure in business is the executive fear of making decisions for business owners. Because the "primary meaning of self-esteem...is confidence in the efficacy of our mind, in our ability to think. By extension, it is confidence in our ability to learn, make appropriate choices and decisions, and manage change", it would be both wise and practical to work on building self-esteem as a tool to approach work as an employee or owner.

EMBRACING CHALLENGES AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

There is nothing comfortable about the friction of challenges and at times that friction can be painful to bear. Fortunately, when we learn to expect challenges and are open to embracing them when they show up, we can overcome anything that comes our way. Entrepreneur Marie Forleo famously says that "everything is figuroutable" and even wrote a book about it. This attitude is exactly what self-esteem equips us with when challenges and obstacles show up. That foundation of self-efficacy that Branden speaks of is bolstering our ability to survive the myriad problems that will need to be solved, which also positions us to impact others.

BUILIDNG MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLABORATION

The way in which we impact others can take many forms. Whether as a leader, partner, prospect or rival, our belief in the ability we possess to meet any adversity with confidence speaks volumes. The future of work will have to be more collaborative to thrive in an environment where humans will be required to better communicate with artificial intelligence and silos are being dismantled. Organizations are leaning more toward a more holistic, diverse and agile default setting and that cannot be achieved in a sea of disconnected teams. Cross-functional skills are being sought after and developed to move past the old way. Healthy self-esteem allows you to boldly take steps to gain essential skills to express, connect and evaluate as necessary to adapt to these changes. And through open discussion, honest critique and routinely sharing ideas, you help to foster an environment of trust wherever you are.

UNLOCKING PERSONAL POTENTIAL

Each of the previous sections have been indicative of how one can unlock their personal potential. However, there is no capacity to personal potential. It is limitless and we are all the authors of our own stories. Sometimes that entails additional training or skill enhancement. It can also mean entering into completely new industries and territories that take us completely out of our comfort zones. Because everything is, in fact, figureaoutable none of these ideas should scare us (well, maybe a little). More specifically, when viewing personal or professional development through a lens of healthy self-esteem, a foundation of self-efficacy is its own comfort zone. Not in the sense that change or novelty will be easy or effortless. But in the sense that no matter what, we know we have what it takes to figure it out. It may not happen the way we anticipate from the outset but as we adjust our confidence can remain intact as long as we do not quit.

If you are inspired by these words, feel free to share them with someone you know that can also benefit. Also, if you find yourself struggling with issues related to self-esteem and your work, book a Strategic Consultation with Intentional Professionals and let's figure it out together.

Sincerely,

-M