You Don't Know What You Don't Know

Back in my 30’s, I worked for a large ad agency. The pace was fast, the work was exciting, and the team was incredibly creative and driven and fun. I loved it.

I was on a team to pitch a large piece of business in LA. If we won, we were all moving there. The creative pitch was fined-tuned, the team was prepared, photos were taken. We were ready to go! But at the last minute I was cut. And I was devastated. Why???

Fortunately, a colleague pulled me aside and said my face conveyed a look of worry. Well I was a worrier. That's how I got the job done and it showed that I was serious about our work. But it didn’t work in a big new business pitch.

That was a big turning point for me. I had to learn to keep my worrier inside and share a big, bold and confident smile to the outside world. It was a big shift in behavior and was certainly uncomfortable, but it worked and I actually started feeling more like my new look.

I share this because I see it on the faces of others. For instance, those that are “busy busy busy” with their “hair on fire” send a message to others that they are unable to control their workload and have no time to take on more. While they may think it makes them appear in demand and able to tackle the load, in reality it limits their opportunities for growth and harms their reputation.

After many years, I still take an occasional sidelong glance in the mirror to make sure “that face” has not returned. What does your face tell others? I can help you discover what you don’t know you don’t know.