At work, currently, we are going through a very large integration. Two large healthcare systems becoming one. Today is a big day as it is one where I will interview for my future role with this larger organization. In my current role, I have two areas which I oversee, Leadership Development and Learning Technology (which includes both the systems we use and the design of the learning). In the new organization, my current role does not exist, but there will be two leaders to cover these two different areas. So, being considered for both of these positions, the question has been posed, “What is your order of preference?” How do I choose?
To answer the question, I must start by asking, “What is my passion?” Because I truly believe that if I follow that road in my career, it will lead me to the right answer. I have asked this question many times in my career, in my schooling, in my personal life. What drives me? What will give me the excitement to get out of bed and do the work? The answer for me isn’t about the content area, whether I am the lead of Leadership and Learning Solutions. The answer for me is about helping others to be the best they can be and being at a level of influence where I feel the work I am doing matters in the larger scheme of things. These things drive me.
First, if I feel I am making an impact on others, I am driven, excited! I can do that as a leader in any area. I have always said one of the things I love about being a learning expert is that you can drop me in any industry, I will do the research and trust the experts and then help others to learn and be their best. The topic area doesn’t matter, it is about how you take what they need to learn and help them to make change in their lives. To make impact on people. Now, I also happen to be a strong subject matter expert in both of these areas (leadership and learning solutions), so this is somewhat mute in my current decision. And, based on this passion, I think either of these roles will allow me the impact on people I wish to have.
The second thing that drives me is this need for influence. If you are familiar with the Clifton Strengths assessment, one of my top five strengths is Significance. I need to know that the work I am doing matters and will have influence on the bigger picture. That drives me. As a larger organization, even with the same title I have today (which will not be known even when I “accept” a position) I would have a broader span of influence. But in an organization where hierarchy still remains the norm, when there are more levels above, you can feel discouraged. This one I truly believe can be met in either of the roles, all depending on the final structure and whether autonomy is given to build my team, strategy and work. This is yet to be seen.
So, how do I answer the question, with all the unknowns and both roles meeting my passions? I trust that I am in a good place, because there are options and choices where I could land. This is a good problem to have: one where there are options, I am being considered, I can follow my passions. My answer to the question is for my leader who is making these decisions to put me where she needs me, and I will make it happen!
The Arch of Learning 