One of the many things I have an opportunity to do with a client is meet with 12 up and coming young individuals in a group format to discuss what it means to lead effectively. This past meeting I shared with them a few myths many people believe companies owe their employees when it comes to development and thought I would share some of those in this blog. The idea for these thoughts orginated from the book, the answer to how is yes by Peter Block.

For some reason we have made the people who manage us or supervise us really powerful primarily because we think "they owe us." Owe you for what? Owe you a paycheck? Yes, for work you are supposed to do. However, some believe they also owe their employees development or promotion opportunities. In other words, quid pro quo-"I give you something; you give me something in return." Sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn't work that way. Here's the myth and then the truth:

1. Your company holds your future, your ambitions, promotions, desires, etc., in their hands. The truth is your company does not hold your future in their hands anymore than it holds your ambitions or desires. Furthermore, promotions are not rational or objective. They are subjective. They are subjective because they will always have a person or persons involved. That's why it's important to be savvy when it comes to your organization and the politics manifested from others. (By the way, the flatter the organization, the less likely you are to be promoted).

2. One of your company's priorities is your personal development. The truth is development is your responsibility. Period. Don't wait for someone to come along and ask you if you want to grow. If you are going to develop you, you do it, don't abdicate it to anyone else. You have to continually ask yourself, "Based on my performance (as an employee, leader, manager, etc), am I on, ahead, or below target for where I want to be?" If you're not where you want to be, then take it upon yourself to do something about it.

3. Your company owes you a healthy culture to work in and has the responsibility to build your morale and well being. Who are you kidding? If you happen to work in a company with a healthy culture, you are blessed. Yes, the company you work for has the responsibility to make the environment safe, but that doesn't mean healthy. The healthy culture you want to work in has more to do with your attitude. Your attitude is something you have to give away, no one can take it from you.

4. Finally, your boss or supervisor will change with your great ideas and insights. Yeah, right! You must be smoking dope! No one can change you anymore than you can change someone else. You have to decide to change yourself. The same goes for the person you are working with.

When you believe your well being and future is dependent on something or someone else (whether on the job, at home, in a marriage, at school, etc) you are avoiding your own responsibility. And that is the real truth.

What do you think?

Want to be a Level 5 leader? Heed this advice: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."