“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
- Marcus Aurelius
As a Challenger you invest energy and time on building insight, authority and influence to ensure the right things are done fairly. Fearlessness in pursuit of ethical outcomes is possible with your charisma. You are relentless in your commitment to getting the information and support you need to broker your desired results. You can be very generous with your time and support (even protective), urging people’s best work. Others may feel intimidated by your decisiveness, demands and intensity, which can tip to fear if you are perceived to be manipulative in getting things done your way (…don’t poke the bear!).
Mistrust causes compromise when others avoid you or withhold information; it’s hard for you to trust someone who feels insincere in their own work or in their support of yours. Mistrust is furthered when you are hurt or confused by claims of intimidation (…someone poked the bear). Courageous in a cause, you will challenge others when it is necessary to get the job done (I do the poking around here!).
When compromised at work mistrust comes home where loved ones need to deliver on their commitments. Respect is demanded through reminders of how much responsibility you are carrying, requiring their unwavering support and faithfulness to your love (giving the same in return - there is nothing you wouldn’t do for those you love, like and respect).
Free Your Potential...
You are a force to be reckoned with! You may want fair results, but you are not always considerate in how you get there (using the court of your own mind to make decisions). Is your inner critic telling you people are taking advantage of you? Recognize they’ll turn away if you don’t trust them, or if you manipulate them (no matter how well intentioned you are). Your inner critic may be influencing your mind. Does she misrepresent reality to motivate you? Shut her down.
Figuring out what is really justified is the difference between honouring your deepest potential or failing it. Ask questions before acting on your assumptions…look for the objective truth in what is going on (that means trusting others, letting them speak…compassionately listening). Ahh…that last sentence made you uncomfortable (yes, I see you). It’s human to feel vulnerable; you cannot possibly know or control everything (let’s face it, you’re not Wonder Woman and there is no “lasso of truth” backing you up).
Going on the offensive to stand for your version of truth is exhausting… and it makes others cautious of you, completing the cycle of mistrust at work. The only person who can make this cycle stop is you. When mistrust comes give yourself time to see what is going on around you, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and feeling the impact your approach has on them. In so doing you’ll stop compromising on both outcomes and trust, allowing you to love (and be loved) in your working life.