You Know Your Career Title, Do You Know Your “Role”?

After spending four days with my husband’s family this weekend I was reminded of the roles we “play” and have come to expect when we’re together. Besides the kids, we have the Gamer, the Baker, the Cleaner, the Babysitter, the Techie, the Comedian, the Scholar, the Jogger, the Career Advisor, and the Newly Weds.

I’m the Decorator. I’m not really sure how I officially “received” this role, but on our first Christmas at my in-laws I created a centerpiece (3 tall skinny glass vases filled with water 3/4 the way with red cranberries floating on top and the head of a white rose resting on the cranberries) and ever since, it’s been my family role to decorate things. It isn’t anything I ever prepare for or think about, it just happens. This weekend I found myself I hanging 15 paintings and creating a display of Russian trip souvenirs on a bookshelf. While I was arranging and hammering, I noted my father-in-law’s way of enrolling me into the projects, “Kelly, I’m so glad you’re here, I really need your expertise…I just don’t know what to do with these paintings or this collection…” of course, I was flattered and delighted to help and somewhere in the back of my mind I thought, yes! this is my “role” in this family, it makes me feel loved, appreciated and respected. And then again when we left his home he took the time to again tell me how my contribution made such an impact to his new home and he was already enjoying it (and made me think about what I could do on our next visit).

When we have more than one person in a company we start to naturally take “roles” outside of our titles. Have you considered what your “role” is at work? How did you “receive it? Does your “role” make you feel appreciated or respected? If you don’t love your role, see how you can shake things up and create a new role for yourself. Perhaps you’re the “Birthday Queen” and always have a stash of great, funny cards to have the staff sign and deliver to the birthday girl or boy or perhaps you’re known as “The Negotiator” or maybe you’re the one everyone relies on for a good chat on a hard day, dub yourself the official “Good Listener.”

Today’s Magic Wand: Whatever role you choose, make sure you’re proactive about creating the role or at least be aware of it, don’t let a role choose you. If you’re “the Boss,” then actively decide what kind of boss you’re going to be. And think about how you can empower those around you to fulfill their roles well and to feel loved and appreciated while they carry them out, be sure to take note of the “Birthday Queen” who initiates the card signing and builds the community at your company.

Note: if you’re flying solo at your startup then think about what roles you take on besides “owner” and how they make you feel…what do your clients expect from you and what do you expect from yourself? Hopefully you’ve chosen roles that help you move forward in every possible way instead of being “The Nag.”

Please share your thoughts about this topic…what’s your role now? What do you wish it was and what can you do to “make it happen”?