I have been in management long enough to have seen a common story play out several times, it goes something like this.
There is a strong team. Each has their own unique strengths, but overall, they all do good work.
The leader departs.
And someone has to be given the lead role. Multiple people want to be considered. Some are more qualified than others. Each think they are the most qualified.
One is chosen. The rest are upset.
The most common next outcome is that eventually everyone gets over it and moves on.
BUT
No one forgets.
Especially the person who was picked to be the leader. That person went from having a peer they could trust, to feeling like the need to watch their back.
So I ask you…
At what point did the person who was not picked reallylose something?
I would offer to you that the real loss was not the missed opportunity but the future opportunities that were also lost. Instead of focusing energy to cement a future promotion, they showed everyone that they were a sore loser.
When you find yourself not chosen, remember that you are being watched. And in that moment, you can show the best or the worst of your authentic self. While you cannot control the outcome of every opportunity, you can certainly stop the opportunity flow by making bad choices.
Don’t let this happen to you. Be the master of your own career and decide that while you cannot control every career outcome, you can control your energy and your attitude.
A bad attitude is never career enhancing – avoid that at all costs.
Meg Bear 