Love the Work You're With

5. Declare Your Interdependence: If you are the CEO of Me Inc., who is on your board of directors? In spite of the fact that we have a nation that was spawned by the "rugged individual" there is no reason why we have to apply this idea to our own business lives. Look for people who can help you and ask them to be on your personal board of directors. Some useful board archetypes to consider are: The Strategist; The Problem Solver; The Butt kicker; The Cheerleader; and Yoda.
6. Be Yourself: Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures, says, "The single most important thing you can do in business is to be yourself." And one way to do this is to speak your truth. When you can express your ideas and beliefs freely you are more engaged and don't have to carry around unexpressed opinions which sooner or later can leak out in inappropriate ways. One key here is to express your opinion as just that and not as an absolute truth. Watch out for words like "always" and "never" and preface your offering with phrases like, "It seems to me," "In my opinion," or " What's true for me is...."

There are few of us who have the perfect job. But for most of us there is more available in our current work situations that we are using. Consider the Six Ways of Being and how they might help you come to "Love the Work You're With."

Richard Whitely is an entrepeneur, consultant, speaker and award-winning author of four books. This piece was adapted from Love the Work You're With (Henry Holt and Co. 2001). For more information, visit www.whiteleygroup.com.