A Look in the Mirror Challenge

Credit: Tiffany Fox

This is not a typical selling segment. This is what I call a left side of the mouth versus right side of the mouth opinion. It's a look in the mirror challenge.

In 1978 I was managing an in-house printing department. We printed instruction sheets and were responsible for print buying. My employer was a door company.

I was starving to death. My young wife and I were barely able to make ends meet. We shared a car with 300,000 miles and a tiny duplex. We were pinching pennies.

I did my research. I knew what others in the printing business earned. I felt like I had a sense of my value. I was underpaid.

I took it up with my boss. I showed him classified ads. I showed him what others earned with similar skills.

He got mad. I still remember his words. "Do you think you can get one of those jobs? Do you think you deserve that pay? If you do, my advice to you is go get it."

I was surprised and angry. I went to work for a commercial printer weeks later. It changed my life and was exactly the right move. I left a dead end and took control of my future.

Left Side: This is a case of the wrong environment and a senior manager that didn't value my commitment or promise. I was never going to reach my goals in that role. The problem wasn't me. It was where I was investing my energy.

Fast forward: I'm on the way to work. I'm a successful print rep. Life is good and everything I touch turns to gold.

But, I'm having production problems. The best everyone has to give isn't good enough. If they could just get their junk together, I could double my numbers. They were in my way.

During my 2 mile drive I identified 3 people I needed to "straighten out." A little voice in my head said, "Bill, you've been in the car for 5 minutes and you're already mad at 3 people. It can't be each of them, it must be you."

It was a defining moment for me. I changed how I examined problems. I would look at myself from every angle before blaming others.

Right Side: It was as important a milestone as my decision to leave the door company in 1978. This time I was the problem.

I see many posts on LinkedIn suggesting it's the boss's job to see your value. It is, but it's your job to make your value obvious. If it isn't obvious, start by looking in the mirror. My opinion: Most of these posts are made by people in the wrong job.

The C Level executive that belittled me in 1978 had it wrong but so did I. He was in the door business. I wanted to be a printer. My contribution would always be a service not our core deliverable.

If you want to make a difference, ask your supervisor for their vision. Go as high as relationships allow. Ask that question and ask how you can help. Ask how you can earn your way up.

If you do that and responses suggest it's a dead end, move on. Move on if it's a toxic environment too, but start at the mirror.

I passed my 48th anniversary in print October 27th. I've spent more time in the mirror than the CEO's office. It's your most valuable resource.