The Go-To Guy

Every organization and every team has a “go-to” person (and every team needs them). They can get something accomplished when it seems like no one else can. Leaders love go-to people. When deadlines are looming and opportunities are opening up, this is the person an organization leans on. If you are the go-to person, or if you would like to be, may I give you some things to consider?

Understand your potential. I am sure you have taken on a task or project, thinking that you are in over your head. You may have been. After you completed the job you realized that it had stretched you to do more than you ever imagined. Remember this, you have untapped potential that needs to be given an opportunity to flourish. When you underestimate your potential, you will always settle for less. Given the right opportunity and circumstance, you will be surprised how you can succeed. Step on out there and see what you can do. You might be surprised, and so will everybody else. Have you ever assessed your potential?

When you underestimate your potential, you will always settle for less. Share on X

Learn from mistakes. Note I did not limit this simply to “your” mistakes (but that is a great place to start). Certainly, you need to learn from your own mistakes. Experience is a great teacher. It etches things in your brain that a book or classroom will never be able to teach. You will be successful if you can teach yourself to never make the same mistake twice. It is also a great thing to learn from the mistakes of others. Just think, there is only one of you. There are billions of other people. Don’t miss out on another person’s mistakes. Just look around, they are making them all around you every day. Learn and grow from them.

There are billions of people in the world.Learn from their mistakes, too. Not just your own Share on X

Know your limitations. It is great to have confidence and believe that you can do anything, but be real. You do have limitations. If you don’t believe me, jump out of an airplane without a parachute. One of the downsides of being a go-to guy is that every project gets assigned to you. The leader feels confident that if anyone can do it, you can. That is not always the case. There will come a time when you have to politely let those asking know that you have been given too many things. It is better to accomplish a few things well, than many things not-so well.

It is better to accomplish a few things well, than many things not-so well. Share on X

Give yourself some credit. Ask yourself, “Why am I the go-to person on our team?” You are probably thinking it is because you allow people to run over you. You may be right, so know your limitations. It is very likely that you are someone who may not need to be supervised or motivated as much, so the leader feels comfortable with you. It may also be that others see qualities in you that you cannot see yourself. Have some confidence. Step out of your comfort zone. Make an attempt. Come on, you can do this.

“Go-to” team members soon become “go-to” team leaders of successful teams.

“Go-to” team members soon become “go-to” team leaders of successful teams. Share on X

What are areas in your life or career that you believe you have been stretched? Did it make you a better person? Did your confidence level go up?

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