The RuPaul Principle: Is This The Reason You Aren’t A Strategic Leader Yet?

You know the end of Drag Race when RuPaul tells us:

“If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”

IMHO, this bit of tough love is basically saying that if you don’t do the inner work to know, befriend and accept yourself, it’s going to be pretty hard to do it for someone else. 

I often think about this when I talk to women who want nothing more than to serve and be seen as strategic leaders and no doubt have tons to offer) and yet – for many completely legit reasons… and some less legit - do not find or make the time to actually STRATEGIZE. 

I hear this so much, I made a graphic about it:

I call it the RuPaul principle because the spirit of the sentiment is similar.

Lots of people want the fruits of strategic leadership - respect, impact, the salary - but find it hard to make the time and ask the hard questions needed to map out what that strategy actually is.

And I hear this – there is more work than hours in the day, you might feel responsible for office housework, like ordering lunch, taking notes or running mentorship programs under the guise of being a good soldier, or you’re caretaking and working. The reasons you can’t go figure out what the 3-5 year plan for your org should be in your spare time are innumerable. 

So I want to make it more enticing. The future - your career future - is coming whether you take action or not. If you don’t have it in you to do this strategic planning for the org just yet (and honestly, if you did, would it even align with what you want for you?) then I say, do it for yourself.

Because the second part of my RuPaul Principle is the “What’s In it For Me” Factor, which is to say: Let’s practice those vision setting skills on someone who deserves your time and attention and whose advancement you’re most invested in: namely yourself :)  

THEN, with that whole “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question settled, you can craft a vision for your team, org, hell, even your industry that aligns with the type of impact you are uniquely suited to bring to the world (just as soon as you articulate it to yourself 😉).

So, I challenge you to set aside 1-2 hours a week on this. I promise it can make a huge difference. 

This and many more lessons in articulating your career vision for yourself, your team and org new Career Strategy GPS program: A 9 month online course & group program that gets ambitious, high performing womxn hired, promoted and paid for their leadership and expertise without overwhelm or overwork.

Interested?

Fill out a 3 question application for Career GPS

If you’re a fit, you’ll receive an invitation to a FREE Private Training

Join an exclusive group of hand selected women and learn to articulate your brand and value and get your questions answered :) 

Have questions? Write me at holler@acelectric.co and ask away!