If you aren’t sick of it yet, please indulge me yet again with stories about “my new job.” So, as I started my new job this week--yes I’m three whole days into it--I have already seen how leading from any chair aptly applies to not only my company but to me as well. The picture in this blog is of my actual chair (by a huge window!) in my new office. Chapter 5 has shown me how. Now, I have been given the magical powers to:
1. use messenger to text message co-workers from my computer
2. provide my input on projects
3. give ideas for future tools that will benefit customers.
How are these magical you might ask? First of all, I’ve never had instant messenger on my computer at work. Not only is that cool, but it has come in extremely handy already as I have been able to help a fresh-faced, just-out-of-school co-worker immediately with questions and advice. OK, she has helped me too, but seeing as how I am nearly twice her age, it’s pretty cool to help out.
Secondly, remember my last post on contribution? Well the contributions I have made this week have been small, but I feel significant. I have been able to provide changes and edits to major projects that needed fresh eyes. And you know what? I even passed on a nifty Web 2.0 tool to my boss. Remember Lucidchart and Dabbleboard from EDE and Dr. Deason (thanks Dr. Deason!)? These may help us on an upcoming project.
So my chair, humble as it is, has already provided me with magical gifts that I will be able to share with others. Oh yeah, and my the rest of my co-workers are in the same great boat as I am. We will all be giving each gifts of leadership. I have seen it already as two young guys delivered a stellar product today to a computer giant. We may not call it the chair leadership gift--but I will know what it is every time I see it. Are you jealous yet? I believe that this experience is there for everyone. You just have to find it!
Please feel free to share where you're at, this is your blog, after all. The point is to do what you're doing, raise your awareness of choices made, observations and thoughts to the level of consciousness enough to become words on a page. Thanks for sharing this small, but important part of your journey.
ReplyDeleteSheryl,
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed that you are already finding ways you are contributing with your new job. I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed and insignificant when starting a new job, but by looking for the contribution, you allow yourself to be successful and grow in your new career. It is great that you are able to bring fresh eyes to projects and collaborate with your colleagues in a new way (messenger). We are never insignificant, it is all a matter of how we view the situation.
Sheryl,
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed, and yes, a little jealous of you at your new job. It is awesome that you are feeling that joy that comes with contributing so soon after starting. I am also impressed that you are willing to put yourself out there so very soon after starting. You hit the ground running. Until just a few months ago, I had almost stopped some forms of contributing because I felt that my ideas were just falling on deaf ears and my effort was pointless. I am heartened by being around inspirational people once again with this group of colleagues and have been reaching inside myself once again to contribute ideas to the people who have the power to make a larger difference. I figure that even if they don't listen yet, maybe they will eventually, and I will keep trying to do all that I can do. Kudos to you and your co-workers!