your daily rock : you belong

June 30, 2013 in Daily Rock, General

Years ago when I was working for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., I reported directly to the CEO, but wasn’t a Vice President like all his other direct reports. I wasn’t a VP, and I wasn’t even a Director, at the time.

A new CEO was brought on board one fall and all his direct reports were asked to meet with him. And so I went, feeling like a young fish out of water amidst all the Vice Presidents.

At one point, the CEO announced he wanted to talk about performance evaluations for the staff, and I excused myself, feeling it was not my place to be in on those conversations.

The CEO called me into his office the next day and asked why I left. “I, uh, well, I didn’t really think it was any of my business to talk about performance evaluations since I’m not a department head.”

He looked at me, and then he spoke: “Don’t ever take yourself out of the game, Patti. You stay there until someone asks you to leave. You belong there and if anyone has a problem with it, then respond to that, but don’t discount yourself first.”

That had a big impact on me, and still does.

It shows up in many ways: “They won’t like my writing, so I won’t even submit anything.” “I have no business trying out for that part.” We all do it. We discount ourselves before anyone else has a chance to.

You belong. Don’t take yourself out of the game.

Love,

(These beautifully painted rocks are created by Kim Mailhot, aka The Rock Fairy.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

2 comments to " your daily rock : you belong "


Michelle Kipka Harris

June 30, 2013 AT 3:12PM

Yes.

tracymangold

July 10, 2013 AT 12:18AM

I would say this describes me completely. It is something I am struggling to overcome. It is not an easy thing to do. I learned to do it at an early age in order to avoid or try to avoid my father’s wrath. I never think what I do is worthy enough. It is so hard to stop thinking this way. I need o post your quote where I can see it daily as a reminder.