Our important, intrinsic, rock-star-worthy stuff isn’t always the stuff about us that Other People value. And this is kind of a big deal. It’s one of those difference makers between a super-happy-thriving life versus a mediocre, successful-on-someone-else’s-terms existence.
But you have to believe that you get to decide which elements of your fabulosity that you cultivate. (And hear this: You’ve got plenty to choose from.)
Remember that fateful ropes course?
Well that evening at dinner, we were all talking about our Kolbe Index. (Yep, discussing “conative action style” is just one of the many ways we coaches geek out together.) Anyway, my score is basically even, which is apparently really rare and somehow makes me the perfect employee.
And my teacher mentioned that the word amongst employers is this: If you ever run across someone with an even Kolbe, do not ask any further questions, just hire the person on the spot.
And I got all defiant. (In my head, of course. Wouldn’t want to make any waves or anything.)
Oh, so I’m the perfect employee, huh? Because why? Because I play well with others, follow directions, color inside the lines?
Yeah. Whoa.
And then today Seth Godin summed up part of my frustration brilliantly. (Redundant, yes.)
Creativity is hard. Sure, the bursts of insight tingle. And the glee at expressing the truth that you didn’t even know you knew until you actually expressed it… bliss. Nothing beats dancing with the muse when things are just buzzing and skipping and flowing and jiving. But those delicious, zinging bursts are the reward for the much less exciting business of tinkering and toiling with your craft.
And that creativity requires curiosity. And patience. And when you’re really, really excitably curious it can be really, really hard to be patient. And frustrating. And brain-scrambling.
Oh and the Seth part: We don’t nurture creativity in kids (or employees). Because it’s easier for us if they just… well… play well with others, follow directions, color inside the lines.
And just to be clear, this isn’t me whining that some big, mean grown-up squelched my childlike curiosity. I am ridiculously curious. Sometimes annoyingly so. This is just me figuring out what that defiance was all about.
And realizing I need to spend some time exploring how to be my own best employee. And, erm, boss. Because sometimes the boss living inside my head is a wee bit harsh. And then I become the big, mean grown-up squelching any childlike curiosity. The curiosity that compels me to create.
Do you ever wish you weren’t so agreeable or employable? So good at playing the game? Or do you have any ideas for getting all rowdy and coloring outside the lines?
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Oh my god. Get out of my head. I don’t even know why I clicked on your link in Twitter but something made me do it, and can I just say – Lurrrvvveee this.
I’ve never done the Kolbe Index, but I was always one of those exceptionally well behaved, colour inside the lines kids. It still annoys me today because I nothing changed. Ironically, I’m an artist, so you’d think that’d have somehow caused me to rebel, but no.
I am still annoyingly agreeable. No ideas for getting rowdy, but would love to hear some
I too am a perfect employee and I hate that about myself because I think it makes me boring. I’ve never really embraced it, but then again I guess I have embraced it because I haven’t changed.
You said, “But those delicious, zinging bursts are the reward for the much less exciting business of tinkering and toiling with your craft.” Thank you for this reminder that as I do the work I get better and the creativity will flow.
Never really thought to make the connection between the kind of employee I was when I worked in a real live organization vs the kind of employee I am working for myself! Brilliant. And interestingly when I worked for others, I could be difficult. I was always challenging the status quo, trying to do things better and differently, pushing at the boundaries, advocating for what I believed in. ON THE OTHER HAND, I seem to be a little cowed by my own internal boss. What is up with that? You have given me a great place to look! Thanks Briana!!!
Get out of my head, too! On the surface, I am one of those perfect employees, but in my head I am so not. I don’t really deal well with authority *when the authority does not act like it* and rules / ways of conduct *when they are not right*. When that person in my head comes up to the surface, which happens on occassion, everyone acts all surprised that I would do something so un-characteristic. I really need to be me out loud. Working on it.
(Only PERFECT employees would say “get out of my head”!! Just kidding.) To me the perfect employee OR boss is one who is willing to color outside the lines without falling off the page. When we first stepped into our profession, we were right on the edge of the page! Technology-wise, knowledge-wise, creativity-wise. As our careers grow, our page grows with it and too many people are still back where they started. We are ALL creative–it didn’t just fall off when we were kids. It’s still there inside every one of us. We need to access it every day and use it to our advantage. I GET PAID TO COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES!!!
Jeff Tobe
Primary Colorer (I make up words too!)
Coloring Outside the Lines
http://www.ColoringOutsideTheLines.com
Okay, that’s it. We’re starting a movement. No more being “good”.
@Sarah. We are totally finding a way to color outside the lines. Your way will be way prettier than mine, but still
@Julie. Just need to say: You are SO not boring.
@Pearl. Oh yeah, my internal boss can be really snarky. And she does out praise way less than any real bosses I’ve ever had. Like, pretty much never.
@Inge. Me, too! Major authority issues even though I’m such a “good girl”!
But I like processes! And following them! And putting them in place when they don’t exist! And coloring inside the lines! Hee. I am curious about my score now .. I feel like I am the perfect employee, because when I’m not, it’s only in my head. And I do hate being told what to do .. not that I would complain out loud.
It might be an interesting exercise to try to actually color outside the lines. I feel like I would hate it. (Actually, it seems rather impossible.)