Superhero(ine)s Need Not Apply!

Are you a work superhero(ine)? Are you the one who knows where everything is, what everything costs, what happened to last year's _______ and, who did what to whom when? In addition, are you the one who can fix anything, soothe the raging client and stay late daily?

AND, are you the one through whom everything must pass, or the only person who can do specific, critical tasks? Is everyone dependent upon you for something?

Watch out!

You are not likely to be next in line for a promotion. Why not? You have made yourself too critical to the organization. If you are that indispensable and irreplaceable, how can you ever be promoted?

There is another downside to being a 'superhero(ine)

You stand squarely in line for blame and criticism. You are a walking target. You are in danger of becoming the bottleneck in your organization.

If others cannot do their work before you complete a task, who will they point to when deadlines loom?

It may feel to you like control and power, however, in reality, it is fraught with danger and uncertainty. If others cannot do their work before you complete a task, who will they point to when deadlines loom? On the other hand, there is great joy in Mudville, when you step up to bat...if you always hit a homer.

Superhero(ine)s can be marvelous, organized founts of knowledge and skill. They can also be perfectionists and control freaks. You likely know one in each category.

Sometimes the superhero(ine) actually hoards tasks and takes on additional responsibilities in a bid to become indispensable. Sometimes, they simply want to prove what they are capable of producing.

We are all superhero(ine)s at times if we want to move up in our organizations. The distinguishing feature is our awareness of our reasons for undertaking tasks and responsibilities.

What is your real value?

Your value to your organization is actually raised when you teach others to perform competently, when you delegate well and increase the skill and knowledge of others.

Some great advice from Harry E. Chambers, author of Getting Promoted, is:

"Learn as much as you can about as many functions, tasks, and roles as possible, but do not insist upon doing them all yourself. Learn to give them away. Refusing to allow others to learn and expand their boundaries is considered weakness. Being the perceived bottleneck or control freak can be to your career what Kryptonite is to Superman!"

Think carefully about your roles and goals. Be on track to success on your own terms.

© Rhoberta Shaler, PhD http://www.OptimizeInstitute.com

Dr. Rhoberta Shaler solves 'people problems' by making it easier to talk about difficult things. Dr. Shaler trains and coaches executives and entrepreneurs worldwide in the communication skills essential to creating powerful conversations that reduce conflict and anger, build trust, and streamline negotiation. She is the Founder and CEO of the Optimize! Institute in Escondido, CA and author of Wrestling Rhinos: Conquering Conflict in the Wilds of Work. Visit the Institute's website for information on upcoming teleseminars and programs and to subscribe to Rhoberta's free newsletter.

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