Always Be Seen as A Part of A Solution

You should always be seen as a part of a solution.

Remember to be seen as a PART of a solution. If you always see yourself as THE solution, you will fail in life.

 As a young lobbyist, I had a high level of passion for the issues affecting my clients.

I worked on an issue affecting children in residential mental health facilities. Staff in the legislative process has a high level of knowledge. Politicians come and go but staff is the only constant left in a term-limited world.

The staff director of the healthcare appropriations committee did not agree with the position I advocated for on behalf of my client. I thought my proposed amendment was the only path to the solution.

I took it personally and embarked on a series of unproductive meetings.

The chairwoman of the committee wanted to help but agreed with staff on their solution. I lost sight of the purpose over authorship. My idea was not embraced but another was.

Ultimately, the amendment adopted by the committee presented a reasonable fix. It took me a while to realize this due to my overwhelming ego at 25 years of age. I met with the staff director a few months after the session and thanked her for helping increase access to health treatment. She came up with a solution I was blind to because it was not mine.

The challenges you face in life should not become personal. 

Keeping a level head is hard to do early in your career. People tend to engage those who can open avenues and conversations with others. 

Do not become a brand who worships themselves. Good solutions do not evolve in a vacuum especially if the vacuum is you.

Here is your call to influence:

Today: Identify a problem and make a list of practical solutions. Consider input from others who seek to help achieve the same outcome.

Tomorrow: Send a proposed summary of what it will take to achieve a desired outcome including reasonable ideas gathered during your interaction to all parties for input.

Friday: Thank the team who helped you and present the final course of action.