I often receive emails requesting speaking engagements. Many of them are a result of someone experiencing one of my previous keynotes, and they want to bring the same experience to their audiences. Occasionally, i do get invitations to speak on subjects that are unrelated to my expertise. I need to make a living like everyone else, and my 6-year-old has an expensive Disneyland habit. Those moments represent a challenge. It's difficult to say "no," especially when a reward is in sight.
With great respect, I understand that many people may accept projects that don't align with their expertise in order to grow, make money, help others, show initiative, etc. However, this can be a problem as it can lead to underperformance, dishonesty, and damage to one's personal brand. Have you seen the price of churros at Disneyland lately?
Mind you, I’m not naïve. I know that sometimes you don’t have a choice.
As a community college administrator for 17 years, I deeply understand that if your supervisor asks you to take the project, attend the meeting, or if they “have an opportunity for growth,” you need to comply. True, but at least you can be honest with them to properly manage expectations. Then, when doing the work, be honest, admit what you don’t know, and seek assistance as needed.
And I fully support stretch projects that are just a little outside of your wheelhouse to expand your knowledge and value. I’ve consistently taken those on with humility and a strong work ethic. For example, the first time I produced an animated video, Success in the New Economy, it was a stretch project. The same goes for my first national conference keynote, an online CTE research project I led during the heart of the pandemic, authoring a children’s book, and writing a college governance manual almost from scratch. I learned a great deal with each project. I delivered and then some. And I was then able to take my daughter to Disneyland. Churros and all.
Recently, I made the difficult choice to say no to a lucrative project. It was hard to pass on the opportunity. Ten years ago, I would have jumped at the chance. But, I am constantly striving to be honest about what I can do well or good enough, versus what is brilliant and will exceed expectations. You don’t have to know it all, you just have to be honest about it. If you work hard, learn fast, and are generally a pleasant person with whom to work, they won’t hold it against you. In fact, in our field – and in most industries - saying ‘no, I can’t do that exceptionally well for you’ almost becomes a useful form of honesty that (hopefully) earns you respect.
This is the choice we make daily. I encourage you to stay true to yourself and seek to be brilliant.
