When it comes to success stories, there is only one that counts head and shoulders above all the others. Yours. The reality is that you will never qualify as a success story until you have helped others to become success stories too. To be pointed out as a success story, you need every ounce of willing success help you can get, a cheering section of people whom you permit to take prideful credit for your success story. Here's a rule to remember: people aren't going to exert themselves to make you a success story unless you are willing and able to help them become one as well. What can be better for an organization than a bunch of people trying hard to make each other look good! But watch out! There is a snare here -- quite possibly a hidden snare. The snare is the guy or gal who takes credit for your accomplishments, your ideas, your hitting the bottom line bull's eye. Until you can deal successfully with this kind of glory seeker, your success story may be up for grabs. One stratey is to bite your tongue, smile and hope that the powers that be will eventually see the true skinny on the situation. Often a better -- admittedly riskier -- strategy is to do something dramatic, like surprising everybody and up and quitting. When the powers that be call you for an explanation, have a single page summary of the most important things you've done, preferably in terms of dollars. Ideally, you'll walk out of the big boss's office with an expression of appreciation, a raise, and maybe your idea stealer's office. The creation of a success story almost always requires a gamble. But bet with the odds in your favor. That way, if you bet on yourself, the odds are you will win. |
