Vertical Performance

What Did You Sign Up For?

A few weeks ago, my son called to ask if I could be available to “rescue” some friends of his who were stranded at a campground close to three hours away, which included pulling their camper home with my most excellent truck! There was urgency because they needed to report to work the next day. I said yes right away and made plans to leave that evening. It turned out a local person fixed the issue so I wasn’t needed after all.

I mentioned to my daughter what I was prepared to do to help, and she matter-of-factly stated "Dad, it was what you signed up for." In other words, “no need to blow a trumpet”! It is a simple understanding that I must be faithful to an expectation I have for myself to be “helpful”, regardless of the situation. It is a particular value that guides what I do - it IS what I signed up for and my daughter knows what it is; so does my son and neither show any trepidation in asking me to help, no matter how far out of the box. Time and again both of them have modeled the same value as well.

I actually ask a version of that same question all the time when coaching people who are navigating work issues or sincerely seeking to develop themselves as leaders:

"What did you sign up for?"

No one ever says "to keep making more money". No one ever says "to take crap from others because that is just the way it is." The comments are usually something like: "to use my energy and talents to do my job well...to help the organization do well...to become the best I can be...to take advantage of opportunities...to work well with others”, etc.

Actually, I coached a particularly ambitious millennial a few years ago who, at the ripe old age of 27, had already changed jobs in his field three times – all because he believed that a higher salary trumps everything else. Since then, he has articulated a change of heart and resides deeply now in the feeling that relationships and culture are essential – money-making is way down on the list!

What people "sign up for" is usually driven by a personal value they espouse, often influenced by some person in their life - so I also ask those I coach the following questions;

“What drives you in most everything you do - what is that value that you believe in?”

“What do YOU bring to the table - what do you believe is your genuine value to the place you work (or to your family or relationships)?”

“What do you plan on doing better right away?”

If my clients are doing well in articulating, understanding and applying this (I know because they must give evidence), I often challenge them with the next level of “what did you sign up for?”

“Think of a person in your life, either at work or personal life, that kind of drives you crazy. That person might be annoying, opinionated, selfish, lazy, etc.. The next level is discovering what that person signed up for. Instead of articulating what that person lacks in value, identify what one thing this person DOES bring to the table – what is this person’s value? AND find a way to tell that person what value you think he/she brings, to engage that person in articulating what drives him/her.” (You will almost certainly be surprised with what you learn!)

So…
What did you sign up for?
How are you being true to the heart of it?
What will you do better today?

Marc Lore said it well:
“When ambitious goals are not backed by purpose, you grow up a mercenary. If you think jobs are all about making money, you couldn't be more wrong. Become a missionary. Your values create the value.”

Peace to you!

VP supports the mission of the Belleville District 118 Foundation, fielding a dream team for the annual Golf Scramble on June 11! Thanks to Ed, Jim and Jonas for being a part of this worthwhile cause.

2020 City of Belleville Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

What inspiring words to the assembly from our friend Lennox Forrester:

"Give to your community by keeping it simple. Everyday serve someone. Everyday find value in someone. Everyday make someone smile!"

AND we appreciate sharing a table with our community-loving friends from Chiro Med, Dr. Jess, Dr. Molly & Sue!