Attention WOMEN: (Shh – This applies to men also.) The role you play with others can determine your future success, from inside the home to inside the boardroom. The tone you set will determine how you are perceived as a leader.

Research was conducted at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business on the roles women assume in small group settings. The result? Women often, almost five times more often than men, fell into the “compiler” role.

The compiler was defined as the person responsible for assembling others’ work into the final deliverable, whose tasks may include formatting, writing, or editing.

Men, on the other hand, reported playing the “thought leader” role twice as often as women.

The research could not identify the motivating factor to explain the compiler phenomenon. It was noted, however, more than two-thirds of both men and women chose their roles based on where they thought they could add the most value.

Focus groups and executive interviews imply that women are more detail oriented, conscientious and really try to understand the needs of the client.

Yeah!!! Jump up and down and shout “YES! YES! YES!” to the world women . . .

That is really good news. No matter what you are looking to take charge of, from your own household to your multi-million dollar company, understanding the needs of the client – your customer – internal or external – is the most important, basic task you can perform. ALL others stem off of that concept.

Re-read the last paragraph . . .

Beware of the player that ACTs like they have the game under control. Can they only play one role in a team environment?

Many ACT like they want to be on fire and help the world, but secretly, they can’t even afford a self-image that RECEIVES other people. – Joe Schroeder

They have ingested the beliefs of another man’s opinion of them. From the time they were little – “You aren’t good enough” – “You are stupid” – “You don’t count” – “You aren’t pretty”.

In the end, what a person has come to believe is their reality; it not even be close to the real deal.

Your reality is how you FEEL.

Did you get up this morning BELIEVING and FEELING like you were the Boss or the Secretary? Your job title does not define you. You do not need to be validated by every Tom, Dick and Harry to show credence that you can be a leader.

Only you can take on the role of Boss – only you can take on the role of “Thought Leader” in your environment. Vote yourself IN. Go ahead. You know you already have my vote.

Now go out and be the thought leader that allows YOU to make an amazing day for someone else.

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