In this dynamic environment 21st Century leaders are faced with many challenges and competing priorities. We have access to more information and resources today than ever before, yet this access has not made our lives easier and many of us find ourselves in this vicious cycle of trying to find the “sweet spot” which is the intersection of what our organization needs, our personal competencies, and what we are passionate about. At the heart of those challenges are “people issues!” There is no way around them and no one is immune to the challenges that getting results through others presents. Yep, “more people, more problems” and your ability to identify the role that different people play in your life and the impact different relationships have on your personal and professional growth will determine your level of effectiveness.
The people, who got you to where you are now, may not be the people who will take you where you need to be, and you have to be OK with that! It was so difficult for me to reconcile how people that were so instrumental in my upbringing and early adulthood would not have the same level of influence and relevance in my life now. I couldn’t understand how a person that I shared so much history with would not be a part of my future. To help me navigate through this, I’ve discovered that there are three (3) different types of people you will encounter: