Know Your Value: Own Your Narrative and Your Worth

I recently spent an inspiring and affirming day immersed in one of my favorite subjects: recognizing, and being recognized for, your value.

More than 600 bodacious women (and many righteous brothers) gathered in San Francisco for Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value conference, with a jam-packed agenda of incredible speakers, including Mika, herself.

As co-hosts of the MSNBC Morning Joe show, Mika and Joe Scarborough, whom she married just days before the conference, reach 11 million people every morning.

On this particular day, Mika owned the spotlight and was the epitome of knowing her value. Her message mirrors what I've evangelized to clients for more than two decades: Stop apologizing for things you shouldn't be sorry for, don't assume that your work will be noticed (create witnesses), get the data you need to back up your value (this is where my Executive Success Principles (ESP) method comes into play) and dig deep to understand what drives you.

When you use ESP to its fullest extent, you'll be able to measure, quantify and articulate the value you bring to the table. Once you have a full understanding of your value - and the value of your work - you can more accurately craft and own your narrative.

Owning your narrative is absolutely essential in representing yourself (and your value) well and moving your career forward. When you have definition and dominion over your narrative, you are powerful. It's almost impossible to let yourself hide - you'll want to show up as your best, full self. You'll want to make yourself accountable for delivering a different level of excellence.

There were so many golden nuggets from each of the speakers. From Times Up CEO Lisa Borders: "Failure is not fatal, it's feedback." From Smitten Ice Cream CEO and Founder Robyn Sue Fisher: "We all juggle a lot of balls, and we're going to drop some. The important thing is to know which balls are glass and which are rubber." And from body language expert (and my new hero) Janine Driver: "If money were no object, what kind of difference would you like to make in the world?"

Perhaps the highlight of the day was Senator Kamala Harris, who received three standing ovations. Among her many good pieces of advice is this one from her mother: "Don't let other people tell you who you are. You tell them who you are."

You've likely heard me say that if you don't define yourself, others will - and their definition will be inadequate. Again, you must own your narrative.

By the way, for those of us hoping Kamala will run for president in 2020? She said she'll make the decision with her family over the holidays. (Crossing fingers!)

As I think back on the conference, I believe the ultimate takeaway about value is this: If you want to play big and deliver your full value, you have to show up as your best self at all times. If you don't want to show up, you'll continue to play small - fine, if that brings you contentment, but to play big, you have to take big steps. As Mika says, "Act more; think less."

I'm here to guide you as you use my ESP method to take those big steps - especially those that result in bigger actions - because I want to see you play a bigger game. With Mika, I want to see you step into the spotlight you deserve.

Let me hear from you. I'm sincerely interested in your 2019 goals and objectives, and I'm eager to support your success. In fact, be among the first five to share your goals with me and I will gift you my ESP audiobook.

And, of course, I'm always here for coaching and as a keynote speaker for your organization. Let's connect - I'd be delighted to schedule a program for next year.

With that, I wish you the happiest of holidays. I look forward to helping you make next year your best, biggest and brightest year ever.