Pull it together

Spot on. Many years ago I learned to look for a narrative of some sort in my professional evolution, and I think what I’ve gained from that relates what you’re saying with what the ‘management tip of the day’ from HBR was this morning: do what only you can do. I think as you grow professionally, you become more and more about what only you can do. I’m the only person I know who brings to the table an educational background in languages and linguistics and a career-long passion for user experience, together with a focus on integrity and meaningfulness in business, a love for being connected with the community around me, and a highly disciplined aptitude for data management and analytics. It’s not like I can consciously and intentionally apply the combination of those characteristics (and more) every day, but it’s also not like I have to: they’re there, in the background, informing every decision I make. 

Same for you. You’re your own unique set of characteristics, and you’re the only one who can bring that set of characteristics to bear on solving a problem, innovating, or just going about your day. 

I think pulling it together isn’t the opportunity, though. Looking for ways that the whole is bigger than the sum of the parts is the real opportunity.