Within Your Gift

One of my favorite things about working on global teams is noticing local expressions and language patterns. From “beautiful” in Lithuania to “brilliant” in Scotland, seeing the world through another’s eyes further opens yours to a bit of curious wonder. More things became brilliant and beautiful thanks to them.

The latest international expression I’m adopting is the English “within your gift.” This simple phrase encapsulates so much. At work, it acknowledges our ability, creativity and autonomy.

Ability

Each person has the skills to contribute something meaningful and unique. That is the gift they bring to the team and ultimately the customer. Making a gift of oneself is our calling. Go on and offer your gift.

Creativity

In the face of constraints and limitations, working within one’s gift means identifying the opportunities that are possible and maximizing them. Often, creative constraints foster more brilliant solutions than having all of time, budget and resources one could desire.

Autonomy

In a similar vein, operating “within one’s gift” is a beautiful expression of freedom. If a goal is vague, one’s gift is the freedom to shape the outcome. It represents another’s trust in you and your ability. In return, offer your best gift.

Conversely, with defined goals, one’s gift is an acknowledgement of responsibility for how the work is done. How we recognize others, how we carve space for them to lend their gift and how we create solutions that are of service to the greater good.

To the Point

What is within your gift? Whether drawn from ability, creativity or autonomy, everything has an element of gift within it. Our job is to find the gift and put a big bow on it.    

Image sources: Wikimedia Commons & Wix GIFs