All of us are impacted by the decisions of others. When we are children our lives are dictated by the decisions of parents, teachers and other adults. When we first start working, we are pushed by the decisions of managers. As we grow in our careers, we are still impacted by managers but often we also become impacted by the decisions of others outside of our direct line.
In real estate, this particular phenomenon is acutely experienced. If another group decides to grow by 100%, our job is to accommodate it. If HR decides there will be no more work-from-home, we have to ensure we still have enough seats. If a business decides that they need to open internationally, we’re on the frontlines helping find sites.
Our role is not to be directly part of these decisions and often we aren’t even consulted beforehand. These decisions directly impact our daily experience. It can be uncomfortable being at the whims of others that you neither report to or manage.
This discomfort is powerful because it is correct. Working for the decisions of others is more challenging than being fully accountable. At the end, your success is tied to the correctness of the original decision. Consultants and other service providers operate this way at all times. It actually enhances their authority in certain situations while allowing them to play the role of neutral arbitrator.
This discomfort from being driven by the decisions of others puts you in good places. The role of the neutral arbitrator is one of the most powerful in an organization. Yours becomes the voice that justifies and endorses the decisions or nudges them toward greater correctness. Embrace the role and you may find amazing things happen.