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The Slower Path

For an introvert I seem to have sought out a number of opportunities to stand up in front of people and talk. This is one of the fundamental tensions in my life. 

Because of my introversion I rarely speak in front of folk unless I am leading them, either formally or informally. Given a role to play I can sidestep my insecurities and do the job.

So I've had more than a few leadership roles. One of the things that I have tried to do (not always succeeding) is to exercise authority through my actions and not my job title. If I am willing to put the time into consulting with folk about issues, building their input into my plans, and then asking them to implement those plans, most of the time folk are willing to buy into those plans. 

It takes time, and so I am mindful that none of my interactions with others is intended to be the last, that every relationship is intended to be ongoing. This magnifies my trustworthiness and people tend to respond to that.

I can't will people into agreeing with me, nor force that agreement through words and deeds, thus the not-always-succeeding part above there. Indifference and apathy is the most common problem; sometimes jealousy and sabotage although fortunately that has been quite rare in my career. If needed I will stand on the fact that in a given role I will be the one making the decision. It is a concession that the outcome will be less than I wished but not taking the responsibility of making the right choice is even worse.

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