Photo by @sahxic < twitter

You ain’t no gangsta

You’se a busta, a customer, a sucker

- from You Ain’t No Gangsta

My two sons were arguing the other day, which isn’t unusual for teenage brothers to do.  I’m just glad when they don’t come to blows over a hot topic.  The day’s discussion was about rappers, and who was, as my youngest said, “the real deal”, aka not a poser.  My youngest argued that the only one with “street cred” was 50 Cent.  The oldest threw in Tupac Shakur and DMX as his choices.  They laughed when I brought up N.W.A., saying that “Ice Cube makes those stupid family comedies, so he can’t be the real deal.”  I quickly closed my mouth, for fear that I’d put my foot in deeper.  Obviously, I don’t follow rap music, so I didn’t know what they were talking about.  But I listened intently, for another reason.

A Real Badass

My youngest said that 50 Cent, or “Fiddy” as he’s affectionately known, earned his credibility by dealing  drugs and getting shot.  Hmm.  Sounds pretty badass to me.  I made a mental note to monitor the music my kids listen to, and continued to eavesdrop.  He continued that guys like Kanye West and Lil Wayne were “posers”, because they didn’t live the lifestyle, or “walk the walk” like a real gangsta.  My oldest said that Tupac was actually gunned down, so he had people who felt strongly against him, and that he was the most “street”, and therefor, the real deal.

A Corporate Badass?

So what did I make of this argument?  I applied it, of course, to my work life.  I asked myself, am I the real deal?  Do I not only talk the talk, but walk the walk?  Could the Corporate Barbarian be a mere poser?  Or did I possess that ethereal quality, the street cred, that separates the wheat from the chaff?  I gave myself the thumbs-up, but I wanted to know how my coworkers felt about me.  So, I perniciously started asking around, seeing if I wasn’t just a legend in my own mind.

Walkin’ the Walk

I don’t know if they were just blowing smoke up my ass, but the four program managers that I regularly support all thought that I was doing a fine job.  One told me that I was his “go-to guy”.  Another said that I was the best finance guy that he’s ever worked with.  That made me feel good.  I’ll remember to take care of him first next time.  Just kidding.  I think the reasons the guys like working with me are as follows (my apologies for the rap lyrics):

1. I never back down from a challenge

It’s easy to see when you look at me

If you look closely, 50 don’t back down

- from Back Down

I’m always willing to roll up my sleeves and bust my ass.  I mean, I’m getting paid to do this, right?  The more difficult the assignment, the greater the reward when it’s conquered.  Bring it on!

2. I don’t make excuses

We only humans girl we make mistakes

To make it up I do whatever it take

- from 21 Questions

If I screw something up, I’m usually the first to announce my error.  People will find out anyway, so it’s better to ‘fess up early.  That leaves more time for corrective action.

3. I’m experienced

I been around the world and aiya-ya-ya

Must be goin’ crazy

Cause I’m still down

-from 5 Heartbeats

I’ve been there, done that.  Though I’m not a lifer in this company, like some of my coworkers, that allows me to bring a different perspective from the many companies that I’ve work for.

4. I thrive under pressure

I live

Life in the fast lane

Man I ain’t got nuttin ta lose

- from As the World Turns

I actually like deadlines.  It forces me to get my ass moving.  A little stress is a good thing.  It keeps the blood flowing.

5. I’m always learning

You know when you party with the crooks

You gotta learn to respect the jooks

- from Hand Up High

I like to flood my brain with new ideas.  I believe there’s more than one way to skin a cat.  I’m always looking for a new angle, a new way to solve a problem.

6. I’m willing to do whatever it takes

Let me take these bricks and break ‘em down

If you want I can serve ‘em by the pound

- from Fire

I hate the compartmentalization of many companies, mine included.  I think all of the rules and regulations stifles creativity.  I’ll frequently step over the line if I can do some good, even if it’s not in the rulebook.  I recently did this by filling in for one of my program managers.

7. I’m loyal

I ride, you ride for me

My enemies your enemies

-from True Loyalty

I don’t gossip or backstab.  I’m not a political animal.  All I want to do is a good job.  People know they can count on me to keep a secret.  They trust me.

How about you?  Are you a poser?  Or do you have the respect of your coworkers, the “street cred” that 50 Cent has?

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