Your father is affecting your career....still

I found an interesting article by the author of a new book about how our careers are affected by our fathers.

From an article in Mens Insight Magazine by Dr. Steven B. Poulter. The book is titled: The Father Factor: How Your Father's Legacy Impacts Your Career.

Here is what he says:

"Does your career seem to be stalled or headed down a dead end street? Do you have frequent problems interacting with subordinates, bosses, or fellow employees? Do "gender issues" seem to interfere with your day-to-day work? Do you feel that your efforts go unnoticed by the "higher ups"? Do you secretly want a different career?

These and other types of seemingly endless interpersonal work issues, struggles, and challenges in your career can be directly connected to what respected psychologist Stephan B. Poulter calls the "father factor."

The father factor is the conscious understanding, awareness, and appreciation of the critical influence that your father had, still has, or could have in your career development and future potential. Noting that the father-son or father-daughter relationship is one of the least understood relationships in adult life, Dr. Poulter helps you become acutely aware of the immeasurable impact (negative or positive) that your father has on your ability to relate to other people.

From this recognition you will also learn to move past the career roadblocks that frequently stem from the lingering effects of your father’s influence.

Defining five main styles of fathering, Dr. Poulter devotes a chapter each to: • The Superachiever Father • The Time Bomb Father • The Passive Father • The Absent Father (whether physically or emotionally) • The Compassionate / Mentor Father.

By becoming aware of how your father related to you, particularly in a destructive relationship, you’ll understand how your career relationships in many ways mirror your degree of comfort with your father’s emotional legacy. In this way, career roadblocks—often based on interactions with people on the job—will be more easily transformed into career building blocks that will lead to advancement and success."

I know I get tired of blaming all of our struggles on our parents. But I think this book has some wisdom in it.

Our generation grew up looking to our dads for subtle and not-so-subtle clues on how to deal with power, assert ourselves and step out into the world. It makes sence that we would be influenced by their particular leadership and management styles.

I know I owe my use of humor and ability to put people at ease to watching my Dad. How about you? How did your father influence who you are and how you are at work?

Dave
www.thedisquiet.com