Planner vs Strategist: The Power of Names

Here's a secret: I say I'm a "planner" when I want to hide from the intimidating nature of being called "the strategist" aka "the smartest person in the room" aka "the one who's supposed to have all the answers".

I say I'm a "strategist" when I want to lean into this power -- when I want to be heard, when I want to be taken seriously by people who have been here longer than me, and when I actually have a carefully thought out POV on the matter.

So what's my point here?

The way we choose our words hints on our inner mental state. When we're scared or insecure or don't feel safe and supported, we hide behind vague words.

But when we feel safe and supported, and therefore, confident in our capabilities, we embrace words that are specific and sure.

So as a community, how might we help in making our friends feel safe and secure in a world that is chaotic and unsure?

Maybe it starts with quelling those fears? We don't have to be the smartest person in the room. We don't have to know all the answers right away.

We just need to have the passion to find them and the humility to admit what we don't know so others around us can help us figure it out.

These soft skills take time. So be patient with yourself. You're doing the best that you can. You're gonna get there some day, dear strategist.

Love,

A struggling-strategist-who-still-chooses-to-call-herself-a-strategist.

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