Take the Higher Road
“Baka nga nakakaintimidate ako…”
During a casual hangout with my guy bestfriend, I shared these words. I recounted an incident where a colleague made me question my abilities as a team player and leader, leaving me feeling uncertain and questioning myself.
“Misunderstanding lang yan…” he replied.
“Baka naman kasi chill siya (magtrabaho) pero competitive din na hindi makakeep up sayo.” He added.
My friend pointed out that I have a very strong presence.
“You have a certain aura…”
“Yung aura mo kasi parang confident… Confident ka sa ginagawa mo” he mentioned.
After a brief pause following his observation, I questioned myself – why am I expending energy on people who don’t understand me? Why was I apologizing for being confident?
It’s true that those who dislike our confidence serve as mirrors, reflecting our true selves. When people make us doubt ourselves, it prompts us to be cautious and self-aware.
I realized that focusing on my strength had helped me gain respect and authority in my professional life – confidence. Even if others misunderstood my actions, as long as I wasn’t causing harm, I was on the right path.
Truly, balancing the roles of colleague and leader is challenging. Taking on responsibilities and making tough decisions can be daunting.
I also learned that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership or mentorship. There’s no perfect manual. Each person brings unique strengths to the table, and it’s important to celebrate these differences rather than conform to an ideal standard.
With this newfound perspective, I made a conscious choice to stop apologizing for being assertive or taking the lead when necessary. Instead, I decided to embrace my confidence and lead authentically, understanding that my confidence wasn’t a hindrance but a tool that could motivate and inspire others. Ultimately, it’s all about how one perceives it.
Today, I simply remind myself to practice self-compassion and prioritize my well-being and development.
People will think what they think, and feel what they feel. There will always be noise and opinions, but what truly matters is learning from experiences and become a better person.
So as of this writing, I am choosing to take the higher road.