We continue our leadership lessons today by discussing resources versus resourcefulness. In our country, those with resources are highly rewarded. Oftentimes these resources are financial, but they can also come in the form of power. Having these things gives you an advantage in a capitalist society. When you have resources you are able to influence others to get the things you want in life.
It is not inherently bad for people to have resources. But the way in which those resources are distributed is the issue. For some people, resources are earned through hard work. In an ideal world, everyone would be able to thrive in that scenario. However, inequity comes when there are some people who earn resources and some who are given resources simply because they were born a certain way or into a specific family. This is unfair because some people can work hard for resources and never receive even a portion of the resources that another person has from doing nothing and inheriting resources.
So how do you climb the ladder of success without easy access to resources that make the world go round? You make yourself indispensable in other ways. Being resourceful is a super power in the workplace. We have talked in the past about the importance of being a problem solver. Resourcefulness helps quickly and efficiently solve issues that arise so they do not become major roadblocks.
Being able to easily navigate difficulties and overcome hardships is a skill that will take you very far in your career. When you work in a fast paced environment, problems pop up all the time. Sometimes the problems are little and easy to work around, and sometimes they derail your entire team and demand immediate action. In those scenarios, your boss will look for resourceful people to help quickly and thoroughly solve the problems. If that person is typically you, there is a good chance that your boss will remember that the next time you are up for a promotion or raise.
Resources will take you very far in the world, but they are not the only way to get ahead. If you, like many Americans, were not born into power and money, you still have the chance to make a good life for yourself. To do this, it is very important that you are resourceful. A good work ethic can distinguish you from peers, but if you pair that with resourcefulness, you will become an unstoppable force.
-Bria