The Hidden Step
www.necouncil.org/the
hidden
step
His friend breathlessly whispers, “Joe, Joe, Joe,
I have great news for you. Are you sitting down?
Ok, guess what my friend? You are already hired!
They have chosen you for the job. You still have
an interview tomorrow for formality purposes,
but I just overheard the president tell our HR team
that you are the pick. Congratulations, Joe! I cannot wait to start working with
you. Just remember, Joe, when you go to the interview, this conversation did not
happen. You must act as any other applicant because everyone must complete the
interview process.” Joe’s friend is a prankster, playing a prank on Joe. Joe was
never hired and is not really the frst pick. Yet, as soon as Joe believes his friends’
suggestion, his silent self talk changes from negative to positive.
How does Joe feel now? Knowing he is employed, he is now
imagining only the best. He is no longer just hoping for the
best. Nor is he imaging the worst.
Does Joe feel ecstatic? Happy, excited, exhilarated?
Absolutely.
The next day driving to the interview what is the drive like? He is no longer ner-
vous and knowing he is hired, he feels relaxed and excited at the same time.
How about while waiting for the interview? Knowing that he is the pick, is he
still nervous? Of course not. He may even sit back and read some of those maga-
zines in the waiting room. When called in, how does he approach the interview-
ing manager? Thinking he was the frst pick, he feels confdent, relaxed and if he
is the best person for the job, it will show. What made the difference?
You see the frst time, Joe allowed the negative silent self-talk to inhibit his
ignite your inner fre
silent self talk
STEP ONE