Do you desire to move into a more strategic role? Are you stuck in an implementer phase that you just can’t seem to break out of?
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In today’s podcast we are going to talk about how to separate yourself from the implementer identity, which you have been tied to for so long. I want to give you some helpful pointers on how to do that.
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How to stop identifying as an Implementer
A lot of us are taught this path: grow up, go to school, get a job, expect to start at the bottom and perform entry level tasks, and simply stay curious about things that you can specialize in much later.
When we are starting out, we lack confidence, so we stay very close to the areas where we can knock it out of the park… we work to get great at the task level.
“We are expected to be implementers and are expected to become masters at the entry level, and that keeps us in an implementers identity.”
An implementer is someone who puts a decision, plan, or agreement into effect. They are someone who gets things done and works systematically and efficiently. But there is another level that is available through the Director of Operations certification program, that you can utilize to rid yourself of this implementer identity.
I am talking to those who are longing to leave implementation behind, and elevate to using your management and strategic skills.
Lowest Common Denominator
We stay in this implementation mode because of the lowest common denominator theory.
We’ve all got a wide array of skills that have become rote, or memorized, and fall in the lower depth of brain power. These skills don’t require critical thinking and don’t take mental strength to complete. Because of that, you don’t need much confidence to do them. They’re easy, there’s very little or no risk to perform them. This describes the lowest common denominator theory. It’s a safe place to be.
This isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not elevating you. It’s a stagnant posture.
The opposite side of this are your biggest strengths. These are skills you possess and have tested here and there. Honestly, you’re uncomfortable when you explore them but you feel so powerful when you perform them. You may dream of living in this zone.
“Your highest strengths are the ones that put you in a league of your own, where you thrive… your zone of genius.”
To make the shift, you have to leave the lowest common denominator skills and progress to new territories. Your goal should be to constantly replace the low for high skills, while expanding your vision of what skills can be added to the highest strengths. It’s through self exploration, experience, and belief that we can do this.
If you are currently an implementer and you desire to move away, you need to recognize:
- You’re comfortable right now
- You possess high strength skills but you aren’t leaning into them
- Your mindset is holding you back
“You are going to have to be the person to lead this change… most teams are going to hold you in a place of implementation because it’s an easy win for them.”
Your Avatar
One of the biggest issues for someone who wants to move away from an implementer role is their avatar. We work with our students to elevate their avatars because the companies that you want to work with will have a more developed organizational structure with the need for leadership. New businesses usually can’t financially afford a strategist, so the only people they can afford to hire are implementers. Ask yourself if your current clients are ready for strategy? If not, you may need to change before they are ready for the next level.
You are going to implement it as long as you allow it. When you are ready, the next level awaits, and that will be where you become an even more valuable asset for yourself, the world, and the teams you will be serving.
Weekly Ops Activity
What tasks and responsibilities are you performing that are within your Lowest Common Denominator? Share it in the Facebook group.
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