credit: mrhayata

Have you ever been in a work situation where for some reason a colleague didn’t show, or couldn’t make it because of sickness? Maybe staff numbers were down for some reason like cutbacks and layoffs, or high staff turnover.

It’s these kinds of moments where I’ve witnessed a grand phenomena called (drum roll….)
“step up to the challenge”, also known as
“throw ‘em in the deep end!”

By this, of course, I’m talking about when someone else has to rise to the challenge of fulfilling duties that they would never normally do. The specifics of what actually happens in this situation is highly job specific, varying greatly between different workplaces; but the basic premise remains - people in all kinds of jobs are at times pressured into stepping up.

I’ve had a couple opportunities where this has happened to me. Several years ago one particular job I had was lacking in staff because there were a few last minute resignations, and people were off on annual leave. Because I was the (barely) next senior worker, I was asked to take over a management role for a few weeks.

I remember feeling a range of feelings: lack of confidence that I could actually do the job, reluctance to lose the camaraderie of co-workers (as is often the case with an “us and them” management mentality), nervous and apprehensive about the unknown yet excited at the opportunity. The thing is, I would never have put my hand up for this role. This is a pretty weak example, I know - many people would say “a couple weeks in management, no sweat!” But for me, I had no real prior exposure to the actual ins and outs of the job, so the feelings were real.

I’ve seen many people recently in similar situations, where for some reason or other they have had to fulfill higher duties. A lot of the time my reaction (and that of co-workers) has been to raise eyebrows high and say something profound, like “oh man.. did you hear that John Barnes is taking over that division next month!??!”

credit: afloden

I wanted to be scared again… I wanted to feel unsure again. That’s the only way I learn, the only way I feel challenged. — Connie Chung

Consequences of stepping up

A few different things can happen when someone is thrown in the deep end. The easy way to explain it is to say “well, they either sink or swim!” This is true, but it goes a little deeper than that.

Some people really surprise you. I mean, really surprise you. When put in a situation that asks for a lot more than their current demands or expertise, some people respond extremely well. In fact, many times it’s an eye opener for other workers when they realize that the person stepping up is on par or better than the original person!

Other people fail miserably of course, and are politely thanked and sent on their merry way!

The point is, these people often don’t put their hands up and request to step out of their comfort zone, they simply use the opportunity and rise to the occasion. Often (like in my case) they really don’t know how well they will do! Some people will work hard, others will freak out. After my little stint in management, I discovered it was a real confidence boost. It was the jolt that I needed in order to go ahead and actually start pushing myself more and stepping out of my comfort zone.

This same principle holds true in a lot of other areas of our lives. Have you been been guilty of staying where it’s comfortable, just because someone wasn’t there to ask if you could step up? I certainly have…

Practical ways to rise to the occasion

Here are a few ways to apply this concept to other areas of your life:

• Try things you would normally avoid due to feelings of fear or worry
• Brainstorm ways you can do more for the people close to you, or your kids
• Don’t avoid confronting a situation that you know needs to be addressed

What else, what are your experiences?

You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind. — Darwin P. Kingsley