Do people come to you as their sounding board?
Do they bring you their plan with no intent for input, just using you as their rubber stamp?
Do they come to you with a fully formed plan looking for your support because you’re their sponsor or cheerleader?
Do they bring you in at the onset of an idea because of your ability to brainstorm as their divergent thinking partner?
Do people bring you a mess with the hopes that you can be their organizer and taskmaster?
The point at which people engage you in the problem-solving, idea-generating, or general work processes should tell you a lot about how you are perceived and ‘what you are’ to those that surround you. Sometimes we are seeking feedback or input, but if we really analyze what we are being asked to do, when, and by whom, we can get a really good idea of the person we are.