Stepping Out and Stepping Up

"Hey, they just announced there is a managerial position open, you should apply for it, you'd be great!"
Sometimes others see us in ways we don't see ourselves. We live in a world of instant gratification, high speed Internet, information overload, and almost infinite options. From every direction we have more and more choices. In education, the first question is, "What is your major?" Choosing the best path requires knowing the result desired before we even start. There is an ever expanding sea of opportunities upon which we must narrow our focus to navigate.
An eternal student, I am always pursuing further education. My goal is improved confidence and a more polished communication style. I joined a small class of students with similar goals. The class was an interesting collection of multi-takers from various circles. People with focus in career, civic, family, social, and political arenas all came to the same program.
One member in particular seemed to always be running at top speed. He was a leader in the training system we were studying. It was obvious he loved it, believed in it, and wanted to share it. I started watching, listening, and talking to him regularly. Before I knew it, I was emulating many of his behaviors. He invited me to join him at organizational planning meetings. My curiosity drove me to attend. What I found were more individuals passionate about the system and sold on the organization. They weren't salaried employees, they were volunteers.
As I learned more I became more curious. What was going on? What was so important that all these fascinating and unique people would band together? What was in it for them? The organization offered certification of the educational levels achieved. But there was something more, these people were passionate, they were committed. I hadn't seen that with an educational program before. Curiosity pulled me deeper and deeper into the "flow" with these leaders.
Interestingly, they were also very active at the local groups. I started going to other groups to "find" what was generating this energy. Everywhere I went, I found people, just like myself, interested in becoming better communicators. The groups had a similar structure, but the "personality" reflected the people of the individual groups. Everyone was friendly, glad to welcome guests, and appeared interested in supporting others.
I took on an administrative role in my group to help out and to learn more. Every step I took, I learned something new. I got relevant feedback from others, and, maybe most importantly, I got recognition for my efforts. WOW, how may times have YOU made an effort, done a great job, given your best, only to have no one notice or apparently care?
This organization was doing something right. Maybe it was doing many things right? It made a difference for me and it showed me how to make others feel valued.
We can start responding positively more frequently when asked to help. Believe that support and resources will appear if we need them. As we meet people we admire, determine to follow their lead. Learn to do what they are doing. As we step out and step up, we are not alone or unappreciated. Others begin to believe in themselves and in us. It feels GREAT.