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peers means fewer people willing (often your character’s role and behaviors in
because of fear of reprisal) to share enacting the story. It’s also the essence CONFIDENCE.
Conidence is the toughest of the

honest perspectives about the behaviors of building a strong personal identity— C’s in this list. It can’t be taught or
that need to stop or be changed. Without understanding yourself in relation to the bought; it has to be earned. Some people

access to this feedback, and with ascen- needs and motives of others is one of the are full of shallow entitlement that comes
sion, it’s easy to only pay attention to
most effective ways to create a credible across as smug conidence. Don’t pay

the limited—and affirmative—feedback brand, a brand powerful enough to posi- attention to them, and certainly don’t let
received. Over time, and as people are tively influence others.
yourself become one of them. It’s trans-

expected to perform in increasingly so- parent. They’re hiding something, which
phisticated and politically nuanced envi-

ronments, the higher the probability that
past strengths will become weaknesses.

A classic example of this is people who
move from No. 2 to No. 1 positions in an The Same Uncommon Support

organization. The operational strengths
that helped them move through their ca- You’ve Come To Know And Trust.

reer are no longer considered as relevant

when one is expected to perform as a
strategy-savvy CEO.

Caring also is—and perhaps appropri-
ately weighted—being concerned about

the impact you have on others.
3

CLASS.
“Keep it classy” is a mantra for

those who sometimes forget that
brand is shaped with every choice made,

every word uttered. Whether choosing
to act or not act, a choice is being made.

Even thoughts are choices—choosing to
focus mental and emotional energy on

certain things over others.

Classiness requires intentional-
ity. Think of your life as a story to be

displayed on a TV show. You’re one of
several cast members, each requiring

a clear identity that contributes to the
overall theme of the show. Who are you

relative to the other members of the
cast? Are you the Protagonist? Hero?

Victim? Underdog?
Create a personal narrative; psycholo-
Additional Resources To Help You Grow.
gists call it self-authoring. You decide the
story line, then position yourself in the

role most desirable for you and others.
Writing the story forces you to explore

the needs and motivations of others to
develop the characters and your rela- 2564 Brunswick Pike

tionship to them—your colleagues, boss, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone (609) 883-9000
clients, children, spouse or partner, and
friends.
Formerly Bartolomei Pucciarelli, LLC Fax (609) 883-9008

This desire to understand what moti- hbkcpa.com
vates others is a key to fully fleshing out

april 2015
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