Keep the C.H.I.P.

How many people have heard or been told the following statements… 

 “she’s got a chip on her shoulder, She’s way too defensive” or

 “Wow, he just won’t let go of that grudge, he’s must have a chip on his shoulder about something” 

PART I: Some of the earliest mentions of the phrase “Chip on your shoulder” date back to the 19th century American practice of preparing for a fight by carrying a chip of wood on one’s shoulder, daring others to knock it off. Can you imagine what those fights must have been like?! Back then, when a person disagreed strongly with someone over a personal belief, they would place a chip of wood on their shoulder and dare the other to knock it off. Once the other person did, this signaled the beginning of the fight and “ding, ding, ding” punches were thrown! The “chip” is a signal that you are ready for battle, ready to face any opponent for what you believe in. We can see this today in leaders who speak up and act out, they carry a chip for a cause! 

 Emma Gonzalez, student at Parkland HS. She said, “We are going to be the kids you read about in textbooks. Not because we're going to be another statistic about mass shooting in America, but because, just as David said, we are going to be the last mass shooting. Just like Tinker v. Des Moines, we are going to change the law.” No doubt Emma will carry this chip and it will motivate her to ensure our future American High Schools are safe. 

Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement who is driven by the gaps, the areas where marginalized people exist, where the least resources are available for them. Her chip is exposing institutional behaviors and structures that obstruct others from an equal vantage point. 

Or Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the 2nd female judge appointed to the Supreme Court whose trailblazing career focused on women's rights. Most notably when she voted for acceptance of female cadets to Virginia Military Institute, a traditionally all-male establishment. 

A Chip can be for a cause, a signal you are ready for battle? Can we see your chips?How are you training for the battle? What “equipment” are you using? As you step onto the battlefield of life; what are you declaring? What’s your battle call? 

 PART II: An alternative history of the phrase dates back to the 18th century British Royal Dockyards. Where a ruling stated that “Shipwrights are to be allowed to bring chips on their shoulders near the dock gates, to be inspected by officers.” These chips were surplus timber that were taken home for use as firewood or building material and was a substantial perk of the job. This was later amended that only chips that can be carried under one arm were allowed to be removed from the dockyard. I’m sure you can imagine ship builders loading both shoulders up with “surplus” wood to take home. For the workers on the dockyards, the “chip” was a privilege earned as a result of their work position or role. I’m sure you all see this in the way that senior leaders carry themselves; it can sometimes look like a lot of confidence, pride, or a huge ego. 

 Speaking of chips that represent a status; Forbes published that Kylie Jenner was the youngest self-made billionaire at age 21. One could argue that she had a few privilege chips that helped propel her to this status. 

As we continue down the "chip on your shoulder" journey, for any valuable colloquialism definition; we must go to Urban Dictionary. Urban Dictionary defines “chip on your shoulder” as... 

1- an idiom used to say that someone has a deeply held feeling or conviction about something. 

2- referring to someone who has a self-righteous feeling of inferiority or a grudge. Always bringing up how they are or were disadvantaged in some way. 

3- someone who has something to prove. 

4- a time when someone refuses to do what they are told because the person in charge is incompetent. Urban Dictionary shares this, "A horse was refusing to do what it was told, so a veterinarian was called in. The veterinarian examined the horse and noticed a chip of flesh was removed from the front shoulder of the animals leg (chip on his shoulder). As it turned out when the owner was drunk he walked the horse into the side of the barn door. Now the horse refuses to obey."

5- A description given to someone (male or female), who has a sense of superiority(valid or not) due to either past successes or a personal belief that they are "better" than those around then. 

A chip can be the result of one's position, the earned advantage. 

PART III: 

 Carli Lloyd, National Soccer team, once described as the weirdest world class professional athlete ever. Cut from the US Soccer U-21 program, Lloyd’s career is spackled with painful “chips” which culminated in arguably the best championship performances ever and being named 2015 FIFA World Cup Player of the Year. 

The 2016 Clemson Tiger football team, undefeated and ranked #1 in the country, said they felt disrespected, like the underdog. In fact the players and coaches often commented that “no one believed in them.” They used those chips to win the National Title. 

Michael Jordan, a fellow Tarheel who also did some other great things... was the master at using his naysayers to fuel his performance and one could argue that he wouldn’t be the GOAT without those shoulder chips. 

 I mentioned how one of the most common understandings of having a chip on one’s shoulder is seen as a person who holds a grudge or some type of grievance. Until recently, having a chip on your shoulder was generally seen as a negative attribute. Which is why I believe many successful people keep their chips a secret until they achieve such success that warrants someone asking “To what do you attribute your success?” At such point, it is revealed that there was a “chip”; a situation, a person, a set back, an occurrence that motivated that individual and it led to a successful (you fill in the blank). Some argue that having a chip on your shoulder is essential for success. 

 It seems as if the drive to succeed is mostly the result of a setback. The setback becomes the “chip”; the motivator, used to fuel a person’s fire. So, the essential question becomes How do you respond to setbacks? Do they become the kerosene to the bonfire of your career? Or Do you focus on why they didn’t want you? Why the other people weren’t as good as you? Or do you use it drive you to greatness? 

 Sometimes chips are hidden, chips can help you turn setbacks into success.

PART IV: My Chips

I want to share my “chips” with you and the reasons why I choose to keep them. 

But first, let me paint a picture for you.... 

In 2012, I was a recent Master’s Graduate; on my third promotion in three years; participating in some high profile national cohort programs and expanding my professional network/impact beyond my current community. I was taking charge of my career development, researching national available resources like mentoring & emerging leader experiences. I thought I was just using the means available to me. I mean, they were easily found online and I used my own money to pay for it. That’s what I thought until the day I had my annual review with my supervisor who told me that “it was radical” what I was doing for myself. She went on to say that I moved up “very quickly” and that “normally” your supervisor advises you on a leadership development path. It was the first time that I was shunned for wanting to learn and grow. This was a side of the organization that I just couldn’t believe was real… I mean we are about helping individuals and families thrive. About a year later, my position was “eliminated” and I was out of a job with the organization that I thought was a perfect fit for me and my talents. The place where I felt most at home professionally. As I sat at home, comforting everyone who was devastated at my removal, I took stock of what impact I desired to have in my life. I contemplated taking a different journey but ultimately took an interview for a role in a different state. Before going into the interview, I said to myself, 'I’m going to be me and if they like me and offer me the job then I’ll take it but I won’t show up how I think they want me to be.' With my authentic self, I got that job and I made a promise to always be a leader who supports the development of others. I vowed to be a leader that will nurture others, supporting them in their growth. That “chip” of being told I was radical, that I should wait my turn, that I didn’t deserve what I was gaining, is a driving force behind my leadership to date. I NEVER want anyone to feel afraid to pursue opportunities that interest them. I NEVER want anyone to feel like they can’t learn outside of what’s given/known to them. 

In the moment, I didn’t realize how pivotal those words would be to form the leader that I am today. Michael Jordan didn’t reveal how he was cut from the varsity basketball team at Laney HS in Wilmington, NC until he was a Hall of Famer. I believe he internalized that chip and it fueled him to be the Greatest Of All Time. I am in no ways the Michael Jordan of The Y but I am finally confident enough in my leadership to reveal my chip to you all today. 

Choose to keep the chip, they become pivotal moments.

 I understand the C.H.I.P.s on me, do you? Connect with me to bring this inspirational workshop or keynote to your organization!