From Energizer Rabbit to Blue Bunny
Oct 30, 2024Life was good for Chris in 2022. He was ascending the management track in a tech company he loved and had worked hard in for the past 7 years. His company had invested in CliftonStrengths his second year at the company and as a PM and it was clear why he was moving upward and onward.
He knew his Achiever drove him and his team to deliverables and answering the bell for deadlines. He had a reputation in the department as the go-to guy at crunch time and that fed his Significance more fuel to his work as a way of life. Working for a company and boss that valued its people as much as profit aligned with his Belief and made going the extra mile for his team and company a pleasure rather than an obligation. It just seemed a matter of time before he would be knocking on the C-suite door.
Then in 2023 the company merged with another IT firm. In the realignment Chris’ department was merged with other divisions in the new company and another layer of roles were added to the upper management. The result was not a demotion, but more rungs added to the ladder Chris was on.
The change also took his old boss to another region and moved the goalposts back several yards for Chris’ Achiever. He was now under a VP from the merging company who cared much more about the bottom line and politics. He was working with several people he didn’t know and who did not know him but were told from above to come up with a strategic plan to realign to new objectives and goals with no buy-in from below.
In this new world order Chris had to find a new finish line, build a new reputation, and navigate a new course to align his values to. It was no wonder Chris went from “Mr. Can Do” to “Mr. I Don’t Want To” in a matter of weeks.
When unanticipated changes come to our lives it can really disrupt those Energize talents which are our intrinsic motivators for action and direction. A new boss, changing jobs with a different work culture or moving to a country with different customs and norms -- you may have an idea of how this plays out.
Think of an Achiever whose list is obsolete, or an Activator whose race is delayed, or the starting line changed. It can look like Belief where core values are irrelevant or convictions are constantly challenged or Discipline where crisis disrupts routines and schedules. If Focus’ unwavering goals become constantly moving targets, Self-Assurance’s internal compass no longer can find true north or Significance’s legacy or reputation is irrelevant because rules and politics have changed the game, the inner motivation that these Energize talents bring can evaporate or go into exile.
For more on how can sudden change can disrupt your Energize talents click here for our video of the month and download the processing questions here.