77: What Happens When Ops Leaders Go Unnoticed?

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/77.

You know how Chewbacca didn't get a medal at the end of the first Star Wars movie? I never understood that, considering how important he was in destroying the Death Star and saving the day. 

I do remember hearing that George Lucas had said medals don't matter to Wookiees. That they have different ways of honoring their heroes.

Sound familiar, ops leaders? You are the backbone of your company, loyal and dedicated, making sure it all goes according to plan. Your work doesn’t typically get the medal, not because it's not valuable, but because everything just runs smoothly when you’re doing it well. But that doesn’t make you any less of a hero.

In this episode, I'll share why the real heroes often work behind the scenes, in any galaxy. You'll hear how to make a big impact and stay energized, even when your contributions fly under the radar.

Transcript

You know how Chewbacca didn't get a medal at the end of the first Star Wars movie? I never understood that, considering how important he was in destroying the Death Star and saving the day. 

I do remember hearing that George Lucas had said medals don't matter to Wookiees. That they have different ways of honoring their heroes.

Sound familiar, ops leaders? You are the backbone of your company, loyal and dedicated, making sure it all goes according to plan. Your work doesn’t typically get the medal, not because it's not valuable, but because everything just runs smoothly when you’re doing it well. But that doesn’t make you any less of a hero.

In this episode, I'll share why the real heroes often work behind the scenes, in any galaxy. You'll hear how to make a big impact and stay energized, even when your contributions fly under the radar. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/77.

Hey Ops Execs,

Let's talk about being the Chewbacca of your organization.

The Unsung Hero's Journey: From Playground to Boardroom

Back in kindergarten, playing Star Wars was the thing to do at recess. But there was only one female character – that’s a topic for another episode - and there were more girls that wanted to play. So, I often ended up as Chewbacca. I was taller than everyone else and had a coat with a fur-rimmed hood, so they said it made me a natural fit. I didn’t love it, but also didn’t really care. I just wanted to play.

As I look back now, rather fondly I might add, that whole experience taught me something about the value of behind-the-scenes roles. And it definitely took a mindset shift. Little did I know then that playing Chewbacca would teach me good lessons about how to be an essential behind-the-scenes player in business.

And this is one of the reasons I love working with ops leaders. You are the unsung heroes who keep everything running, solve complex problems, and see both the big picture and the tiny details. You're the secret sauce that makes your company successful. 

But here's the thing: Your strength can also be your greatest blind spot. You're so used to staying behind the scenes that you might not notice how much recognition actually matters until it’s too late.

The Hidden Cost of Feeling Unrecognized

Over time, this lack of acknowledgment can wear you down. It’s easy to feel overlooked when you’re handling so much behind the scenes. In fact, research shows that as many as 82% of senior leaders feel they don't receive enough recognition. 

And it’s not just about feeling good. About 40% of employed Americans say they'd work harder if they were recognized more often.

But here's something even more important: when ops leaders like you don’t feel recognized, the cost doesn’t stop with you. It filters down. It can affect morale and engagement throughout your whole team, and ripple outward. When you feel undervalued, it’s hard to show up fully for your people, and they feel it too.

Strategies for Resilience: Making an Impact Behind the Scenes

So, how can you maintain your resilience and make a big impact without losing yourself? Here are three strategies:

1. Keep track of your wins. Big or small, write them down. Focus on how your work supports big goals. It's not bragging, it's a way to show why what you do matters. Plus, it gives you concrete examples to share when you need to.
2. Build strong relationships across your company. Build trust by being someone people come to for help. It raises your profile naturally.
3. Speak up in meetings. Share your insights. Your perspective matters. Share your ideas freely without waiting for permission.

And here's a bit of real talk: while staying behind the scenes might feel comfortable, it will likely limit your career growth. We've all seen that person who gets promoted just because they're the loudest or shiniest in the room. But if you find ways to let people know what you do, you'll make sure they remember you're the one who actually keeps things running.

Even if you don’t get the medal, you're still a hero, and your team depends on you more than you realize.

So, give it a try, and let me know how it goes.

Today I’ll leave you with this question: How might you step more fully into your role as a linchpin in your organization's success story this week?

If this episode struck a chord with you, check out episode 18, “How to Get Your CEO to Tune in to Operations”. You’ll find it at: yourfuturerealized.com/18.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.