The Professional Crush

Have you ever had a "professional crush"?

Not the romantic kind. And certainly not the kind you would ever act on.

A professional crush occurs when you work for (or with) a super smart, high-integrity, fearless but fair, exceptional leader. The one who always makes the play that's best for the team or the company - not just best for themselves (or their favorite employees). The one who sees right through and isn't at all moved by brown-nosers. The one who isn't intimidated by others who are as smart or smarter than them. The one who rarely makes mistakes, but when they do, they take accountability for them.

Many times these people are intimidating to others because of their integrity and strength of character.

Because it's not romantic in nature, a professional crush isn't limited to bosses (or co-workers) of the opposite sex.

These are role models of the highest order. The professional crush may seem to border on idolizing someone or putting them on a pedestal, but because it's based on true, proven character it's actually just great admiration.

I have had the good fortune to experience many professional crushes (and been the recipient of a few, as well).

Here's to you, exceptional bosses and co-workers! You know who you are.

What They Don't Tell You...

They don’t tell the abused woman that once she finally gathers her strength and leaves that abusive man, there will still be days she will miss him and consider going back.

They don’t tell the undervalued employee that when they quit that dead-end job and follow their dreams, there will be incredibly difficult days ahead, and sometimes they’ll long to be back in that broken office chair at that dysfunctional company.

They don’t tell you that when you finally release that friend or family member or man or woman or church leader who didn’t value you, that you’ll still miss them terribly because even if they didn’t recognize your value, you recognized theirs.

They don’t tell you that not settling for the man who doesn’t value you as a wife and won’t marry you, doesn’t make you stop loving him.

They don’t tell you that being strong can still hurt.

All they tell you is how much better it will be. But better doesn’t always happen immediately. Sometimes you'll just be lonely or horny or impatient. At times you'll be so lonely, horny or impatient that it will make you want to walk backwards. Don't do it.

The rewards will come. Once you start valuing yourself, you will attract the people who value you, as well. But it’s a journey, it will take time, and there will be pain along the way.

Like a runner training for a marathon, or a person working out to lose 50 pounds, or a woman in labor, it’s a process. At some point, you’ll look back and say the journey was worth it; but in the midst of it, you may have to encourage yourself.

Keep your eye on the goal. Don’t look backwards toward the crap (lest you turn into a pillar of salt – LOL). Know your value.

Yes, there’s a possibility that the person or employer in your past is also part of your future. There's a chance that some of those relationships or jobs will be restored, but it will be with new people (same human, different character). You will have changed and so will they. Think Steve Jobs and Apple. It can happen, but not without internal change – on both sides.

Keep moving forward.

Constantly Thinking…