If you're a Pitch Perfect fan like me, then you know the definition of good comfort food movies and you know this scene. In the second movie, the brilliant Keegan-Michael Key, as Becca's Boss, delivers the following in a staff meeting at his music studio when a video screen doesn't work:
Dax... did you call the tech guy? Do you understand that everything else in my life just works? So, I just need everything else here to work too, OK?
I'm not sure why, probably his delivery, but it cracks my shit up every single time. The exhaustion in his voice is relatable no matter what you do in life. And I've been feeling that sentiment a lot lately.
I don't think that anyone is wholly bad at anything. We all have wins and losses in life, parenting, work, etc. But there are times where it feels like the losses are emphasized while the wins are trivialized or disregarded. That's where I am right now, and it's exhausting.
Unlike Becca's Boss, my need isn't so much that everyone around me keep the ship running tip-top. What I need is for others to recognize my value and accomplishments. I need advocates (as I've written recently). I'm not perfect, but I get some great things done. It'd be nice to hear that once in awhile. Maybe not everything, but most things in my life that I'm responsible for are working. I just need to hear it.
One of my heroes once said in an interview that people want to be respected, valued and appreciated. That's not a revolutionary declaration, and it shouldn't be controversial. But how many people do it? I don't care if it's with people you interact with in retail or people you manage or coach. This has to be part of your social DNA. It's not that hard. If I can practice it, despite sometimes lacking the ability to read the room (#ASD), everyone can. This is 100x true for people who purport to be leaders.
When things are working, recognize.
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