I was interviewing a candidate and they asked me a question I’ve reflected on long after. I was so hurried and stretched out thin at the time I can’t even recall what was asked.
But I remember my response. Perhaps it’s not what should be shared in a late-stage interview, but I did it and that I cannot change.
I shared what I had been learning about what the most important thing I could give to my team: everything. Now, whenever I’ve read other people say just that I always think late nights, lots of work, loading up on responsibilities, and more! But I’ve come to learn that I was wrong.
Giving my all to my team means restraint. It means cutting short the late nights. Abbreviating the to-do list. And not choosing to take on more projects, more aspirations, and more goals than I can handle. Because when we’re under that much pressure, how valuable are we to our team?
It’s when I have my mind, my energy is up, my emotions are intact, my soul is rested. It’s when I’m not fatigued, not worn out, not at the end of my rope. It’s then I have the energy to throw myself into their question, their goal, their idea. Then I can think about them — as a person — and help them grow into an amazing human being through this act of sharing. Because when I have all of me, I can share that in those moments, I can help my brother or my sister achieve their goal and seize victory!
But at the time of answering the candidate’s question I was so tired, so worn out that I couldn’t give much more to him or my team. So let’s find ways to restrain ourselves, to live within reason, and accept our limitations. Because when we do so, we are able to surpass our expectations, overcome obstacles with our team, and help them conquer their own limits. So let’s give our all to our team.
Jeff Beaumont 