The Right Person for the Job

Written By Allison Pollard

Photo by Make It Old

I went to my fraternity's National Convention recently, and the officer elections got me thinking about what it means to be the right person for the job.  Is it the one that the most people believe in?  Is it the one with the needed skill set and passion?  The one with the most experience?

You can seem like the best candidate and still lose.  You can want something for decades and still lose.  You can be passionate, have a vision, and be backed by some strong supporters and still lose.

So then what?

Pick yourself up.  Find a project, find a niche, find an opportunity, or make something up.  Keep following your passion, and keep contributing to an organization you care about.  Everything happens for a reason, and everything works out in the end.

Yes, it hurts when it feels like the right guy didn't get the job.  But that doesn't have to be the end of his contributions.

Allison Pollard

Allison Pollard helps overwhelmed technical leaders debug their management approach. She teaches them how to manage up, support people through change, and make time for strategic work. Her education in computer science, mathematics, and English from Southern Methodist University helps her connect technical work with people management. As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Allison focuses on improving product delivery and leadership culture. Her experience includes work in energy, retail, financial, real estate, and transportation industries. Allison regularly speaks at global conferences like Scrum Gatherings and Agile Alliance's Agile20xx. She promotes women's leadership as the program director for Women in Agile's Mentorship program. When she's not working, Allison likes to drink lattes and listen to Broadway musicals. Allison is a proud glasses wearer and co-owner of Middlegame Partners.

http://www.allisonpollard.com
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