As corporate actors and in our individual lives, growth and its validation is as important to us as the effort we make in our endeavors…

My mind goes back to 2022 when I nervously watched my husband read some of my very first articles that I planned to post on LinkedIn. Silence… and then he said, “ I think this is good”.  Just when I was catching my breath from the relief he said “I think you could also consider a dedicated platform like a website where your articles can be accessed easily”.

That was all I needed. Encouragement from home, in our yard, where it is safe and my family can be candid and honest with their views. Long and short, the website was launched a few months later.

I was allowed to “dance” in our yard before I went outside to show my wares! I wrote and wrote and I keep writing in my pursuits.

Do you ever feel that you have something to offer, in house, to your organization that could benefit it? Have you suggested it and what response did you receive?

What about if your service is sourced and appreciated by other organizations (even for a fee) and you haven’t been given an opportunity to provide it to your organization despite asking (for nothing extra over your regular salary)?

Have you tried to dance in your “yard”, but the opportunity has evaded you? The following are my propositions for provoking thought:

1. Organizations are encouraged to take that turn and focus within it, to see the talent in its staff as assets with value. Some of the value which requires to be unlocked by creating opportunity for demonstration of growth, may be right under the organization’s nose!

2. Organizations are encouraged to maximize potential of staff and establish a direct correlation between sharpening in house talent and return on investment in the staff involved.

3. Actors should have the courage to show up and offer themselves to this mutually beneficial intervention. It instills a sense of responsibility towards other actors and the organization. You would undoubtedly be seen as a valuable addition to the team by at least the right thinking who understand what drives and sustains the organization’s success.

4. When met with rejection, actors must be prepared to obtain insight into the reason this may be happening while being open to suggestions and even criticism. Don’t put out your own fire… find ways to positively channel your energies without having a pity party. After all, sometimes you will be celebrated elsewhere than your yard. Sometimes it takes a third party to trust and validate you for your organization to see you in a different light. In some cases however, it even never happens and you never get a chance in your back yard! This should not stop you from picking yourself up dusting off and keeping going!

I hope this helps!