Beware the language of powerlessness
How often have you heard any of these phrases or perhaps used them yourself:"Don't rock the boat"
"Pick your battles"
"Keep your head down"
"That is how stuff works around here"
"These things take time"
Within and outside the organisations I work with, I hear over and over again the language of powerlessness - the language of C.Y.A - Cover Your Ass, the language of the status quo.
You joined to do great work, so go do it.
You, like most people I know - some in the biggest and richest companies in the world - joined to do amazing things.They joined to pursue the passion of figuring problems out , helping people , being of use or simply for the joy of making.
Along the way they acquired things - family and responsibilities. All of which make demands on time and money.
Along the way, they settled for the status quo and adopted the language of powerlessness - allowing unfairness and injustice to be done in the name of career progression.
You only have this one life - spend it wisely, do the great work now - you might not get another go round the carousel.Go take calculated risks.
Start a business - you might fail or you might succeed, either way it would probably be the best thing you could do.
Speak out against the things that piss you off - you might help change them.
Stand up for others at work even against the opinion of authority.
Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. You are human - show it.
Don't tolerate your time being wasted - it is the only thing of real value you have and you have less of it every day.
Be the shoulders for others to reach further - that is leadership too.
Call things as you see them.
You might actually find you have a more enjoyable, impactful and inspirational career by not trying to have one.