“There are some frauds so well conducted that it would be stupidity not to be deceived by them.” – Charles Caleb Colton

Are you practicing career fraud?

Continuing the self-examination from the first installment (see it by clicking). 

Second Installment

In the last newsletter, I distinguished a career condition I am discerning to better assist high functioning executives who might be considered the top professionals in what they do.

I proposed that there could be a state in which someone may knowingly or unknowingly present the symptoms of being a “career fraud.”

There were several comments and personal stories that came in after that first installment.

Hopefully, this second installment can bring even more clarity.

Several responded that they suspect certain individuals in their lives as demonstrating that condition. (Again, see the full description here.) And some respondents even boldly self-identified. It’s one thing to take inventory for others, but a major self-gift to take your own.

Many readers saw that, as Walt Kelly’s comic strip character Pogo once declared, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

“But,” you may say, “these folks can’t be declared as frauds! After all, they make a really good living, they’re obviously being of service and making a difference, otherwise they wouldn’t be getting the accolades, promotions and/or rewards.”

OR

“It’s not right or proper to call someone who is simply doing WELL what they need to do to make a living a fraud. We should all be so blessed to be so good at something that we might not necessarily prefer to be doing.”

OR

“It’s a little airy-fairy, isn’t it, to claim that just because someone has the discipline and chops to do what they gotta do – and be good at it, mind you – that they are a sell-out or in some way deceptive.”

Hmmm. Maybe some subconsciousnesses got a bit triggered?

Look, I hear you. And I never proposed that anyone is wrong or bad. As a matter of fact, those who may self-identify in this way are likely very deferential and service-first oriented. And clearly, through the eyes of “success,” they are the winners.

Yet, to question a bit beyond a morality-based interpretation of the word “fraud,” let’s actually look at what it means.

fraud (noun)

1. deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
2. a particular instance of such deceit or trickery:
3. any deception, trickery, or humbug:
4. a person who makes deceitful pretenses; sham; poseur.

This definition sounds ethically disdainful, so who would willingly raise their hand in admission to being such a “nasty” person?

To be clear: nobody is wrong or nasty to others, nor even appears that way!

Yet, if we apply some of the words used here such as “deceit,” “trickery” or “breach of confidence” in terms of one’s relationship to oneself, then self-admission, at a minimum, may support coming to terms with oneself.

And remember: this entire self-exploration, if you accepted my invitation in the first installment, is only for your own determination because, for sure, you’re showing up GREAT for everyone else.

The question is: How are you showing up for you?

If you know you’ve grown damn good, damn respected and damn well compensated and/or lauded for what you do but you honestly grew tired of it long ago, yet you stay put for one or more of a slew of reasons (mostly based in fear), then what kind of a relationship is it that you’ve formed with your Self?

Deceiving?

Trickery?

Breach of confidence (of care for your Self)?

If this idea rankles you so much that you feel the need to respond, I invite you to. Again, I appreciate all the empirical research and perspectives I’m able to gain.

And, if it rankles you in a more subtle way that sometimes happens when a mirror is held up to us, I also appreciate your input around your particular identification with these ideas.

We will discuss this and more on the upcoming CareerGuy Purpose & Passion Breakout next week. I invite you to attend as we gain clarity on moving from fear to fulfillment for senior executives willing to explore.

The CareerGuy Passion & Purpose Breakout!

Think differently, play better.

Radically,

Darrell

CareerGuy and Back Forty Freedom Flier

P.S. Stay tuned for more exploration in the next newsletter.

“The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat one’s self.”  – Pearl Bailey