You get what you are

Penelope Trunk, author of Brazen Careerist, has a good post today about how what we choose is a reflection of ourselves. In jobs and in marriages, our choice of partners can help us learn a lot about who we are.

One of the key quotes is "a ten does not marry a one." In other words, if you think your spouse is really lame, then you are probably lame as well. If you think your co-workers are all idiots, then you need to ask yourself why you chose to work there. If your company is a poor performer, then what does that say about you?

Trunk argues that "you get what you are." So, if you don't like what you have, then maybe you need to consider who you are. This is difficult, but sound, advice.

It also reinforces the concept of Inside-Out from the 4 Factors book. Too many leaders focus their attention on fixing the inadequacies of others, instead of addressing their own failures. Leadership starts with you. If you are surrounded by losers, you need to stop complaining and take a look in the mirror.

* to read more about Penelope, you can check out Career Freak on my Freak Factor blog.