When I’m working with inside sales leaders and managers inevitably we come around to conversations on role vs. identity.
That important distinction between who we are as human beings and the role we are playing at work.
I say PLAYING on purpose – although you bring who you are with you to work, what you choose to use/show is certainly different then when you’re in the role of parent, child, significant other, friend, etc.
Right now – many people are having some serious overlap in the roles they play: it’s tough to be at home where you’re used to being immersed in your “outside work” roles YET working.
Which is why today I want you to begin to really consider: Who is showing up?
I’ve had a few conversations with inside salespeople where their front line manager was acting more like a parent than leader.
Along with some inside sales leaders who were running team meetings more like friends.
None of that is necessarily BAD if it was a conscious decision vs. an unconscious mistake.
It’s critical to be mindful of what role you are intending to play and not jumping from one activity to another WITHOUT shifting your role. Parent of a child -> parent to an employee… Friend via text -> friend instead of leading.
Think of social media; does your LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook profile all read the same? Probably not.
I’m not saying it’s easy to choose who is showing up, I am saying it’s critical to your own success AND that of your team.
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