Life Lessons from a Child - Lesson #2

Life Lessons from a Child – Lesson #2

We all could learn something from an 8 year old. It’s amazing how if you pause for just a moment to see life through their eyes; you might just have clarity.

Interview or Softball Tryout – It’s all about Perspective

We’ve heard the saying before that Interviews should be a two way street, but let’s just be honest: the reality is that the hiring manager has the upper hand and the interviewee has all the pressure to win over the hiring manager. How many times have you went to an interview and felt defeated by the turndown? Even if deep down, you didn’t walk away from that interview with an excitement to work for that person or company. It’s normal because the feeling of rejection is hard and we want to feel accepted. 

I had my moment of clarity last Wednesday at my daughter’s try-out for a travel softball team. I remember sitting on the bleachers with all the other parents as we watched the girls throw, catch, hit, field and run to the best of their ability. I felt a deep down nervousness even inside of me for my daughter to impress the coaches with her skill set and ability to play the game, which I’m sure she felt even more than I.

My husband, who was sitting right next to me, was observing something completely different. He was watching the coaches and assessing their ability to coach, teach, train and really connect with the girls. He was trying to determine if those coaches and that team would be the best possible place for Layla to develop her skills and thrive. Wow, what an ah-ha moment. Yes, exactly. If the coach or hiring manager is not engaging, not emitting a brand that we would feel proud to be a part of then, or we don’t feel like the position or company is a place we connect with then, we, as the candidate actually have the upper hand.

This concept can be applied to your corporate career as well as your career as an entrepreneur. If you don't connect to the business or the service or person then you won't be passionate about the success.

So, go to the try-out. Show them your skills. But don’t settle for something just because they “accepted” you and that turndown was probably a blessing in disguise.