Are you merely executing, or actively sculpting your professional destiny?
You know how sometimes you’re at work, doing everything you’re told, and just waiting for a reward or recognition? This happens every day in many companies, no matter what our position is. You’ve certainly been in a situation at least once where you’re doing something because “that’s what they said” or “that’s how it has to be”. And while sometimes that might be the way to get your work done, there’s a big danger of getting lost in the routine and missing opportunities for growth.
Many people at the start of their design careers begin with good intentions, but often find themselves in the trap of routine. After one or two unsuccessful attempts to introduce new ideas, they start simply following the tasks they’re given and wait to be praised or rewarded for the work done. In many cases, this is the easiest way to avoid conflicts or not think too much. But there’s one problem — this approach doesn’t lead to any growth.
And here’s why that’s a problem?
If you always do only what’s expected of you, without expressing ideas or taking responsibility, that’s extremely limiting. Sounds a bit like assembly line work, right? And that’s not something that will help you become a leader or grow in your career.
Do you know how it feels when you’re doing something but you’re not sure why? When you’re just waiting for someone to tell you what to do next? Sometimes people say: “I don’t have ideas on how to improve things” or “That’s not my job, I’ll do what they tell me”. This might be a convenient way to avoid problems, but ultimately you end up with less experience, less confidence, and fewer opportunities to develop.
It’s possible you recognize this situation in a colleague or even yourself. Everyone has been at this stage, where they’re just doing their job, like some kind of “obedient executor”, until it’s time for bonuses or evaluation. But waiting to be “rewarded” for simply following instructions will never take you out of your comfort zone, make you a leader, and someone who takes responsibility.
Why is it so important to be proactive?
Look at the situation this way — if you don’t start taking responsibility and offering yourself for new initiatives, there’s no way to stand out from the rest. If you’re just one of many who stick to the usual, you’ll never show yourself as someone who has an idea how to improve something, or as someone who can lead. To rise up, you need to start thinking differently. Think of it as a way to stand up and take control of your career.
And that’s like saying: “Hey, I don’t just want to sit around and wait, I want to do something significant, something that can change things.” There’s no way to become a leader if you’re always waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Leaders take initiative. They don’t wait for people to tell them how to be better. They just do it. Leaders don’t wait, and they do it wherever they are, they don’t say to themselves “It’s impossible in this company, they’ll listen to me when I go to another one.” It depends on you, the place isn’t to blame, you just gave up too quickly before you learned how to approach it so people would listen to you and you could be a driver of change.
Want a cookie?
Romy: How’d you get that dog to calm down?
Samuel: I gave it a cookie.
Romy: Do you always have cookies?
Samuel: Why, do you want one?
Many employees find themselves in a situation where they’re waiting for the “cookie” — the reward, the praise, or the pat on the back from their managers, to keep going. It’s like a small reward for a job well done that makes us feel good. But what happens when waiting for the “cookie” becomes a habit?
Just because you get recognition for completing a task, it doesn’t mean you’re truly growing or developing as a professional. The question isn’t whether you always have a “cookie”, but what you do when you don’t get one. Will you keep doing only what you’re told and wait for the next “little reward”? Or will you step outside your comfort zone, take initiative, and show you can achieve something without waiting for validation?
Waiting for someone to give you the “cookie” might be easy, but real growth begins when you decide to be proactive and take responsibility, even when the rewards aren’t obvious.
Terence Fletcher: There are no two words in the English language more harmful than “good job”.
Whiplash (2014)
Steps to Taking Responsibility
- Start asking questions — When you get a task, don’t just settle for what you’re told. Ask why you have to do it that way. What is the goal of the task? What improvements could I suggest? That way you’ll start thinking like a leader and begin seeing things from a broader perspective.Offer solutions — Instead of just following orders, start offering solutions. See what can be improved in processes and show people that you can think strategically. The more solutions you offer, the more valuable you’ll become to your team.Don’t be afraid to take risks — Taking risks doesn’t mean doing things blindly, but sometimes it means stepping outside your comfort zone. If you want to grow as a designer or manager, you need to be ready to do something new and test new ideas.Start proposing new projects — Do you see problems or opportunities for improvement? Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Propose a new project or initiative that can lead to positive changes. This will give you a chance to show leadership skills and attract the attention of your managers.
What happens if you don’t dare?
If you keep doing only what’s expected and waiting for reward or recognition, things won’t change. You’ll disappear into the crowd. If you don’t dare to take responsibility, you risk being left with the impression that you’re not cut out for a leadership position. Because ultimately, leadership doesn’t come with the rank or the title — it comes with your actions.
And if you think that “that’s how it’s done” and “when they tell you, you have to do it” is enough, think again. In fact, that’s one way to stay in the shadows. Without stepping up, taking responsibility, and proposing something new, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.
You won’t get anywhere if you’re just following instructions. Leaders want to see people who dare to propose, to take responsibility, and to think outside the box. Only through actions that come from you will you reach leadership positions and start making a real difference in your work.
So, don’t wait for the “cookie”. Take matters into your own hands.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a junior designer, a seasoned manager, or just someone looking for their place in the professional world. If you want to grow, build leadership skills, and achieve success, don’t wait for the cookie to be “given” to you. What really matters is your desire to take initiative, ask questions, take risks, and take responsibility for your decisions. There’s no better way to grow than to be an active participant in your career, not just an observer. You can be a leader right now — as long as you believe in yourself and take control of your path.
What do you think? Do you feel like in your work you’re just “giving and receiving cookies” or do you have the courage to take initiative and propose ideas? Share in the comments how you handle your responsibilities and what steps you take to develop as a leader!
I think you like to be told what to do (as a UX designer) was originally published in UX Planet on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
