The Glass Slipper Blueprint: Designing Your Tale of Potential
Welcome to the Glass Slipper Challenge!
Hello new friend,
It's me, your Potentialist and Fairy Godmother. Remember our incredible time together? We dove deep into the world of possibilities, exploring how each of you can shine even brighter. I left you with a parting thought: "Share your Glass Slipper." Why? Because it's your beacon, a way for others to see and champion the brilliant future you.
Now, I'm inviting you to bring those ideas we ignited into the vibrant world around you. Creating your Glass Slipper isn't just an exercise; it's a declaration of the dazzling future you're stepping into. And guess what? If you complete this exercise, a sprinkle of extra magic awaits you—a gift from me, celebrating your commitment to your future.
You've felt my energy and seen how my magical words can change a story about someone (not just Cinderella), and now it's your turn to create and share your Glass Slipper. Let's make it easy for the world to opt into the incredible future you.
Are you ready to leave a mark that's uniquely yours? Let's create a future that's as bright and remarkable as you are!
Why Your Glass Slipper Matters: Unveiling Your Unique Professional Magic
Just like in the enchanting story where Cinderella left her glass slipper behind, not as a mere shoe but as a symbol of her unique essence and the magical evening she shared with the prince, your Glass Slipper serves a profound purpose in your professional world.
Memory Anchor for Your Unique Brilliance: Think of the prince, surrounded by potential matches yet fixated on finding the one who fits the slipper—Cinderella. In your career, you're surrounded by talented individuals, but your Glass Slipper helps your "princes" (colleagues, clients, managers) remember why you stand out. It's not just about being memorable; it's about being unforgettably impactful.
Proof of Your Awesomeness: Just as the prince used the slipper to validate Cinderella's identity to others (including his decision-making parents), your Glass Slipper is the tangible proof of your unique strengths and potential. It's the evidence that advocates for your value, even when you're not there to do it yourself.
A Beacon to Draw Opportunities: The slipper wasn't just a memory aid; it was a tool to reunite Cinderella with her prince. Similarly, your Glass Slipper is a beacon that draws the right opportunities, projects, and people towards you. It ensures that when rooms are filled with decision-makers contemplating your future, they have a clear and compelling reason to choose you.
Remember, "Every decision made about you and your opportunities is made in a room you're not in." Your Glass Slipper is your ambassador in those rooms, teaching others how to speak of your potential and why your unique magic is essential for the "room."
By defining and sharing your Glass Slipper, you empower your colleagues, managers, and mentors to be your champions, articulating your future promise with clarity and conviction. It's about making it easy and irresistible for them to invite and advocate for your distinctive value.
Let's create that Glass Slipper and tell your tale of potential compellingly in every room that shapes your future.
It’s time to start creating:
Step 1: Sketch Your Magical Venn
Grab any paper – a napkin, a receipt, or a fancy notepad – and doodle three circles that overlap. Yep, it's Venn time, but with a twist of you! This isn't about artistry; it's the words and stories that we'll pack into these circles that matter. So, let's get those creative juices flowing!
Step 2: Selecting Your Enchanting Words
Mull over the three traits or skills that make you, well, YOU. Think vibrant, think distinct, and think, "Hey, that's so me!"
Peak Moments: Think about a time when you felt most alive and engaged at work. What were you doing, and what trait or skill were you using?
Praise Echo: Recall a moment when someone's compliment about your work made you exceptionally proud. What aspect of you were they praising?
Unique Flair: What's one thing that people consistently say stands out about you, even if it's not directly related to your job duties?
Joyful Tasks: What tasks or activities do you find so enjoyable and fulfilling that you lose track of time while doing them?
Go-To Person: For what problems or challenges are you the go-to person in your team or organization? What does this suggest about your strengths?
Contrast Reflection: Consider a time when you felt out of place or ineffective. What was missing in that situation that you value and embody in your work?
Legacy Vision: How do you want to be remembered professionally? What traits or skills do you think will define your legacy?
Learning Excitement: What types of new skills or knowledge areas excite you the most? What does this excitement tell you about your core traits?
Energy Sources: Identify the tasks or roles that boost your energy. What underlying skills or traits are being utilized in these energy-boosting activities?
Authentic Self: When do you feel most like your authentic self at work? What are you doing, and what traits are you expressing in these moments?
Step 3: Crafting Your Stories
After identifying your three key traits through the prompt questions, the next step is to tie each trait to a specific story that demonstrates its impact and value, just like Cinderella's experiences illustrate her defining qualities:
Kind: despite her stepfamily's harsh treatment, Cinderella's consistent kindness showcases her compassionate nature. This kindness wins her the loyalty and affection of those around her.
Resourceful: Cinderella's ability to navigate her limited and challenging circumstances with creativity is highlighted by how she handles the tasks imposed by her stepmother. Instead of succumbing to despair, she leverages her available resources—her animal friends—to accomplish her goals, like attending the ball. This story underscores how thinking creatively and utilizing available resources can turn situations in one's favor, demonstrating value beyond conventional means.
Brave: When faced with a life-changing opportunity presented by the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella embraces it with courage. Her willingness to explore the unknown exemplifies bravery despite the risks (like the magic wearing off at midnight). This trait is crucial when venturing into new territories or embracing change, illustrating that courage can lead to transformative experiences and outcomes.
By connecting your traits to such narratives, you define your character and demonstrate the real-world impact and value of these traits. Like Cinderella, your stories will resonate more profoundly when they illustrate how your attributes have been instrumental in achieving meaningful outcomes.
Step 4: Trial Run Your Glass Slipper
Now it’s time to share your draft with people who know and appreciate your professional magic. Doing this ensures you’re on point for what is uniquely magical about you AND allows you to practice with people who know you before you do this with a stranger.
Here's a little script to help you navigate this sharing:
"Hey [awesome friend/co-worker], I'm working on a cool experiment better to articulate my potential and value for the future. Here are three traits that define my future contributions: [Trait 1], [Trait 2], [Trait 3]. I've got stories to illustrate each, but before I dive into those, which word would you toss, if any, and what word would you add, if any?”
Asking for input this way stops people from changing everything - you're the author of your future, and just because someone uses a different word doesn't mean they're right. Take the response as a data point, and YOU can choose whether you want to use it. Some people might just say, "But you're great at getting shit done." and want you to add it. But being good at “Getting shit done” is your job. It's a function, not a unique feature of how you think and who you are. Plus, they're saying, "I trust your results," and you need to know how they describe the future you, not "what you've done."
Bonus - don't be afraid to do this with your manager. I recommend it. They're the most important person to know how to tell your tale of potential, so this exercise ensures you're on the same page.
Remember, this isn't about them rewriting your story. It's about affirmation and fine-tuning. Gather their insights and decide which resonates with your vision. This feedback is a treasure trove, helping ensure your Glass Slipper shines accurately and brightly.
Step 5: Sharing Your Glass Slipper
Integrate it into your professional narrative with your Glass Slipper polished and gleaming. Use it in conversations, presentations, profiles—anywhere you're painting a picture of your professional self.
Remember, repetition breeds recognition. The more you share your Glass Slipper, the more ingrained and associated these traits become with you in the minds of others.
A final sprinkle of sparkle from your Fairy Godmother
Remember that your list of words doesn't have to be the same forever. Mine changed from Transformer, Potentialist, and Connector to Fairy Godmother, Potentialist, and Amplifier when I realized I had a new ambition. And look at me now.
So, a final challenge and a request: I'd love to see the final results and hear back from you about your experience with me.
If you submit your graphic here, I'll describe how I would tell your Tale of Potential.