When someone wins an Oscar, for the rest of their lives that descriptor precedes their name.  And that distinction can never be taken away.  Now, no matter what, Sandra Bullock will always be described as “Oscar-winning actress, Sandra Bullock”.

So…..it got me to thinking…..When people describe me—-what adjective do they always put in front of my name?

What adjective do you think,  always describes you?  To your face….or behind your back?  Is there a difference?  Do you know?  What is velcroed to your name?

In corporate America, when someone has been singled out by management as a rising star, they often conduct what’s called a 360 review—where the circles of people who are around this person, get to say what they really think in a confidential survey.  It can also be done when someone in a key position is becoming troublesome, in an effort to let the person see “the results” without the names of their peers, attached.  The mirror does not lie.  The same adjectives will pop up over and over.

Words like…..”always late”, “imperious”, or “condescending” have a way of being reflected in comments across the board.  And, other words like, “always kind”, “honest-to-the-core”, “fun-loving”, “people-pleasing” and “resilient” will be attached to others. 

Our lives create that adjective—cemented in the minds of others and used to describe us, even when we might not know it.  For most of us, it does not come from an award, like an Oscar, or some  title we were born into, like Princess, or an office we have run for, like President. It comes from behaving a certain way consistently over time. 

How would you like to be known?  Would you maybe like a do over? Or, in your own 360 review do you feel your adjectives are well-deserved?