It’s Not About Position
Posted By Aaron Marcelli on June 28, 2010
An excuse I’ve heard a lot, and perhaps even used a few times, is, “I’m not in the position to do that.” Often people will use their job level or position within an organization as reason for why they cannot do this or that. Lower level workers will say, “well if I had his job then…..” or complain that “if others listened to me like they do her, well then….”
What I see though in most healthy organizations is an atmosphere where everyone’s input is valued and encouraged. Being an hourly worker rather than a salaried manager does not make you unimportant to the business. Just because you are not the boss does not mean you cannot share your thoughts. I mean, a good idea is a good idea no matter what level of the company it comes from right? But many times someone will use their position in the organization as the reason why they cannot or never will…(fill in the blank). Perhaps it’s not your position that causes people to not listen to you, but rather that you are always complaining and bad mouthing those over you, desiring their position as though that authority came to them by falling out of the sky. If you think bosses have it easy and never do anything, then you obviously don’t know the stress in being a manager and that may be why you are overlooked for promotions.
Either way, position is the excuse many employees cling to and it cripples them from making an impact where they are. Most companies are not going to promote you because you tell them they should. You cannot have the attitude that you will begin to really give it your best effort after you get the position you want at work. The title on your name badge is no reason to not lead or initiate ideas now.
Leadership is not a position, it’s a characteristic. Those who are leaders lead; they don’t wait for someone to give them the office and benefits that all of a sudden make them a leader. It’s not about position. It’s about who you are. If you are consistently making excuses, complaining, or believing that you’re entitled to what your boss has, you will have a difficult time finding a company that will believe your words over your actions.
It’s not about position. So don’t think you have to reach a certain hierarchy in the company before you really matter. Your position determines what you do, not who you are. So stop letting it be a reason to hold back or not show now all you’re capable of.
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