By: Boris Nedwed
My over twenty-year career working with large organizations has been a rollercoaster of competition, constant self-improvement, and an ongoing need to prove myself. With its relentless focus on promotions, job security, and project successes, the corporate environment often felt like a battleground. Each day was a new challenge to stay relevant, outperform colleagues, and catch the eye of superiors. As a Builder Career Type with a gut-driven decision-making strategy, this journey was particularly challenging, filled with moments of triumph and profound frustration.
In retrospect, a significant part of my struggle stemmed from the open Willpower function in my BG5 Career Design. While contributing to my drive and ambition, this aspect of my design also cast long shadows that I had to navigate carefully. The open Willpower function manifests in various ways, leading to a constant need to prove oneself, compare achievements with others, and over-commit in seeking recognition and validation.
I was caught in the vicious cycle of trying to prove my worth for much of my career. The open Willpower function pushed me to compare myself to colleagues constantly, make grand promises, and over-compensate to ensure I stood out. Accepting job offers often hinged on “what if” scenarios, such as “If I take this position, I will bypass the other colleague in my aim for promotions,” or “If I become part of this project, I can showcase my expertise and shine in front of everyone.” These thoughts became the driving force behind many of my decisions.
My competitive streak wasn’t confined to the workplace. I saw simple everyday activities like losing a card game to my youngest son as defeats rather than opportunities to enjoy each other’s company. The need to win, to be better, and to prove my worth overshadowed the joy of the moment. This relentless pursuit often left me feeling worthless, undervalued, and exhausted.
The turning point in my journey came when I began to delve deeper into my Human Design and BG5 Career Design charts. Understanding my open Willpower function was like lifting a veil—I realized that my worth wasn’t tied to external achievements or comparisons. I learned that I had nothing to prove and that my value wasn’t dependent on being better than others.
One of the critical lessons from this understanding was to follow my gut-driven decision-making strategy rather than making decisions from a need to prove myself. This shift allowed me to make choices aligned with my true self, not driven by external pressures or competition. It was liberating to acknowledge that doing my best was enough and that it was okay to say, “I can do my best, but I can’t promise.”
Through this journey, I developed a keen sense of recognizing who had healthy self-esteem and who didn’t. I learned to notice the Willpower pressure from others and not feel “forced” to act or make promises I couldn’t keep. This newfound wisdom helped me navigate my professional and personal life with a sense of peace and self-worth.
Overcoming the deeply ingrained competition factor in the business environment was challenging. The corporate culture often glorifies the notion of constant improvement and outshining others. However, understanding my open Willpower function allowed me to redefine what success meant to me. It wasn’t about being the best in every scenario but being true to myself and my values. And it is deeply reflected in a quote from Earl Nightingale in the “Strangest Secret of the World”:
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.
In the business world, this meant focusing on collaboration rather than competition. I began to see my colleagues not as rivals but as partners with unique strengths and contributions. This shift in perspective improved my relationships at work and enhanced team dynamics and productivity. It also helped me to see the uniqueness of each human being.
A key learning from understanding my design was coming to peace with my inherent worthiness. Whether I was an expert or master in something, I was a worthy individual. This realization was transformative, and it holds true for every human being. We have intrinsic value that isn’t dependent on external validation or achievements.
This journey of self-discovery through Human Design and BG5 has been profound. It has helped me navigate the shadows of the open Willpower function and embrace the wisdom within. I’ve found a more profound sense of fulfillment and purpose by following my decision-making strategy and letting go of the need to prove myself.
In a world driven by competition and constant improvement, understanding and embracing one’s BG5 Career Design can be a guiding path of clarity and peace. The journey may be challenging for those with an open Willpower function, but the rewards are immense. Recognizing that you have nothing to prove and valuing yourself for who you are is a powerful realization that can transform your professional and personal life.
Meet Boris who is fueled by an unwavering passion for sharing the transformative power of Human Design and BG5 knowledge, coupled with over two decades of senior managerial experience in IT, Finance, Audit, Risk & Controls, Business Process Engineering, and a wealth of international cultural exposure. His journey has uniquely equipped him to cultivate a business environment that thrives on individual growth, ignites leadership excellence, fosters cohesive team dynamics, and drives overall company success.
With an amalgamation of Human Design and BG5 wisdom, his comprehensive senior managerial experience, he’s dedicated to shaping an environment where individuals flourish, leadership is visionary, teams harmonize, and companies thrive. Together with him you embark on a journey that transforms your business landscape into one of boundless growth, uncharted opportunities, and unwavering success.
“In acknowledging the unique energies within and among us, we unlock an endless reservoir of potential. This fuels a journey toward personal, team, and organizational success that is as remarkable as it is genuine. Simple in concept, ambitious in scope, I aim to change the corporate business world by placing the ‘Human in the Center’.”
Boris Nedwed
Human Design Analyst, BG5 Career & Business Consultant, Certified NLP Coach
