Aug 5 2021

I don’t know where, why or when this crept into the workplace, however, we’re seeing more and more of it. 

Through this post, I hope to encourage you to acknowledge when you, a loved one, or a colleague are playing small, and most importantly, think about how you can stop playing small. First, let’s go back to basics.

What is “playing small”?

“Playing small means our actions are motivated by our fears, insecurities, and low self-worth” (Cambridge Dictionary, 2021).

Basically, it’s the point when you get all caught up in your head, rather than just doing what you do best. What you were hired to do.

The insidious start of playing small

To dive deeper into this concept, we’ll keep in the same theme as our last post which focused on Staff Engagement. If you missed our last post, you can find it here.

So, you’ve started your new role, the role you were so excited about, the one that would revolutionise your career. Ideas are flowing thick and fast. Everything you spoke about throughout the recruitment process is evolving in your brain, and you’re so pumped to execute to show your new leader what you’re made of. This is it, you’re eager, you pay attention, actively engaging in every meeting, and chomping at the bit to get stuck in.

Then, it happens. Roadblocks.

You hear phrases like, “hmmm, leave it with me”, or, “that’s not a priority right now”, “that’s going to take a while to get approved”. 

NB: while these are all very legitimate reasons designed to refocus your attention, leaders need to be very mindful of language. For many, this will demotivate rather than refocus.

I have no doubts that for many of you, this will be an all too familiar tale.

Everyone is patient to a point, but when no action has been taken in any direction, it really starts to set in. Many will be almost paralysed because you’re in a new job, meant to be proving your worth, and you are not moving forward; or anywhere.

Then, you start to second guess your abilities

Are you good enough? Smart enough? Are you in the right role? Did you make the right decision to join this company? Are you speaking another language?

I truly can’t tell you the number of times I’ve listened to people say “I just don’t know why I’m here, the company isn’t interested in anything I have to offer, and/or they won’t make a decision.”

This one’s for the leaders

Why do you hire someone for their expertise, only to not allow them to shine?

Why do we tie them up with political jargon and excuses of why we can’t?

Why don’t we find the reason we can?

The good news

If you follow our formula, it won’t be as bad as the picture I’ve painted (I know, it sounds pretty heavy). 

Umana is here to help you and your teams flip the concept on its head. We will help you and your team to shine, while you grow revenue.

We do that by encouraging our clients to have a steady focus on being transparent, open, and vulnerable.

We show leaders how to support and connect with their teams, which results in them feeling valued and empowered to kick goals.

Allowing your team as a collective to play big is a skill, we’re here to help you build it, without fear or reservation. It’s done through effective communication, preparation, and a few key resources.

The Umana Way

At Umana, we tailor all programs to the individual and the company. Because we know everyone and every organisation is vastly different. 

Through our tried-and-true methodology, we get to the crux of your business goals, what’s holding your team(s) back, and therefore what’s holding your business back. Then, we take the time to create a safe, supportive, and sometimes remote space to apply it. 

When you’re ready to take the leap to create a fearless, high-performing, and high trust culture, get in touch with Umana today.