What makes you brilliant at what you do?
I recently attended a workshop on building confidence on posting videos on social media. It began with this question. “Sum up what makes you brilliant at what you do in three words, or three short sentences”
Just why is that question so frightening for so many people? You could see the dread spread round the room, knowing that eventually you'd be asked to answer it.
Why is it SO uncomfortable, so cringey, to voice what makes us brilliant?
Is it because we're taught it's arrogant to be boastful? That we're worried others will think we're not brilliant? That we're not good enough as we are? That it's so far out of our comfort zone, we'd rather stay small?
Well, I for one, know so many people that are brilliant at what they do and I think we should celebrate that and shout it from the rooftops.
And in case you're wondering what I said, it was:
"I'm brilliant at what I do because:
I listen.
I help people understand the things that are holding them back.
And I help them to find a way forward that's right for them.
Phew. I said it. And as it turns out, it wasn't too bad to say that out loud in the room or on here.
It’s reminded me of a quote I love from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech: