WORK AS A PLACE OF POWER

By Ann Vanino

Copyright 2001 by Ann E. Vanino
All rights reserved in all media.

Each day the world is at work: working for ourselves, for others, indoors, outdoors — a myriad of situations exist. On the surface, you can look at work as a means of survival. Your wages pay for food, shelter, and other necessities. In this article, I propose a new way of looking at work. Work is a place of power. At work you have a wealth of opportunities to increase your self-knowledge and sense of self-esteem. At work, you can grow by embracing the learning available to you there. What does this learning look like? In the workplace there are many challenges that, if taken, will allow you to grow as a person and as a professional.

I am a personal and professional coach. In my work with clients, I see them presented constantly with situations and interactions in the workplace that are about power. One may have a boss who underestimates their abilities and frequently belittles them. Another may find they are frequently out of step, as if everyone else is playing a different game. Yet another, may find work running them. Their life may be way out of balance and everything and everyone around them is affected. When a client is in such a situation, I work with them to look beyond the surface and ask what is the learning here. It is not only about a nasty boss or impossible situation or what is being done to them. It is about their actions and reactions to the situations presented to them.

By putting the focus squarely on you, you immediately take control. In other words, you take the power in a situation. It does not mean you can control others' actions, but there is power in commanding your own life. When you face a difficult situation in the workplace. Ask yourself these questions:

• What is the basis of your response to this situation? Is it based on facts? Is your response purely emotional?
• What is in your power to change?
• How do you want to respond?
• What is the particular learning for you here? How can it help you grow?

Once you've answered these questions thoughtfully, you are ready to develop your response to the situation. Think out what you want to do, what the possible consequences of your actions are, what actions you will take. From here, go forward. Value the learning from the situation. Acknowledge the opportunity it presents to you.

Adopting this simple process can change your life. Seeing situations at work through your own eyes, sharpens your focus. Taking situations into your own hands and responding to them increases your personal power. You can have fun with this. You can grow. You can become the arbiter of your own life rather than a target for the hapless games of others.

Copyright 2001 by Ann E. Vanino
All rights reserved in all media.

Ann Vanino is a personal coach, trainer and writer who specializes in helping people find fulfillment in their work lives. She has over 20 years experience in the business world, in the public and private sectors and as an entrepreneur. Ann’s book, Leadership on Trial: Lessons from The Apprentice offers readers seven leadership lessons from the popular Reality TV show. Her new e-book, Power Stories includes mythical stories of personal power at work.  You can learn more about Ann and her work at www.MovingForward.net. Ann can be reached at Ann@MovingForward.net or 661-944-6329.

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