Don’t sell yourself short
Michael, Demolition Operations Supervisor for 3 Kings Environmental, Inc – an environmental excavation and demolition solutions company based in Vancouver, WA told Session 3B of the Leadership Development Lab (LDL)™:
“It was July of 2021, our company had just completed a massive knockdown in Bothell, WA where I was one of the field mechanics. I was sent back to our home base shop in Battle Ground, WA to put away all the supplies and tools, to be organized for our next job. Our owner, Ron King, walks in and to my surprise (in front of everyone in the shop) offers me a spot as a demolition operator/supervisor. I was shocked! Not knowing what to say I reluctantly said yes. I went home that night with an overwhelming feeling of angst; worried I’d make a fool out of myself.
“I let the feeling marinate for a couple of days. Two days later, I was lying in bed. I already had our owner’s number dialed in my phone to tell him I respectfully declined his offer. But after a few extra minutes of thought, I put the phone down, told myself I’d stick it out, and tough it through my first job to see how it goes. Fast forward a week later, the time had come to begin my first job. I showed up at the job site an hour early. I didn’t even want to get out of my truck. I don’t think I have ever been more nervous in my life. I finally mustered up the courage to successfully start the job.
“The job went well. Of course, this was also a good confidence booster. My initial negative fears began turning into an overall positive confident outlook when new opportunities presented themselves. Five short months after that job (February 2022) I started and ran the biggest demo job our company has had this year.
“The lesson I learned from this experience is that taking risks, getting out of my comfort zone is the first step to gaining more self-confidence and pays off in big dividends.
“The action I call you to take is to get out of your comfort zone, take the next step, the risk required to grow your confidence. You will be ready to take advantage of future opportunities when they knock on your door.
“The benefit you will gain when you step out of your comfort zone and exponential career growth and all of life’s opportunities.”