Back when I was gainfully employed, I noticed a funny phenomenon that took place after hours, usually in whispers over a pint or when going for a stroll outside the office.

It was the phenomenon of exaltation.

Exaltation for head honchos ruling the daily roost.

How do I mean exactly?

Well, quite often colleagues would speak about their boss, their divisional head or their CEO in the same way a disciple speaks about God. 

They’d talk misty-eyed about how “impressive” this person is and how much they’d like to be just like them.  And later that evening they’d return home to their make-shift shrine, set fire to some incense, lift their head honcho action figure from its pedestal and give it a gentle polish while chanting hymns of devotion and praise.

Nothing wrong with having mentors and role models of course.

Both can be a great way to get inspired, take action, learn, and generally forge ahead.

But when you treat your head honcho like a fawning fangirl treats Lizzo, and worship the ground they walk on (or even try to get closer to them so you can squeal in delight at how you caught a whiff of their B.O.), then I hate to break it to you, but you’ve gone too far.

You’ve well and truly got the blinkers on. 

And if you can see a bit of yourself in this admittedly exaggerated (but still truthful) description of head-honcho-worshipping, my advice to you is this:

Watch out!

Try not to get washed away in a sea of sycophancy.

Instead, take a step back.  And ask yourself what it is about this person you find so impressive.

It’s unlikely to be the person themselves.  It's more likely to be one of their qualities or traits.  

Probably a quality or trait that you’d like to have a little bit more of (which is why you admire the person you do).

And that's the nub of the matter.  

Because what it means is this:

When we admire someone else, there’s an opportunity to know ourselves better...

There's a way to discover a part of us which is lying hibernating and untapped...

And, if we want it, there's an invitation for us to explore, expand and grow ourselves.

So admire away.  Just don't get too close.

That’s all for today. 

 - Tom