Tag Archives: support

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June 2, 2011

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#blogjune

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Allow me to Introduce….

Some days it can be downright distracting. Stories, friday night drinks, chats over tea and coffee, constant banter, morning teas, lunches, chocolate, random conversation. But that’s just how we roll…..

I’m speaking of the awesome team of mates I work with. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again - they’re friggin’ awesome. My workmates know how much my LIS studies mean to me as a person and as a professional. They put up with my tiredness, random pieces of information I tend to share, my laughs, references to Twitter (and my PLN), dancing and my iPod. There is no doubt, my workmates form part of my “cheer squad”.

(And by “cheer squad I mean the people who surround you, support, guide and encourage you, there to lend a hand or an ear, and almost literally “cheer” you on from the sidelines.)

In the lead up to ‘blog every day of June’, I started to reflect on the great times we have as a team. So I guess there’s no better time than to introduce you.

Meet the Team

There’s……

  • Mr BMW - owns a BMW and my colleague in the Technical Library.
  • Maverick - too smart for his own good sometimes, has (more than) a hint of arrogance yet without the recklessness of another ‘Maverick’ we know…..(apologies for the cliche, but I really needed to slip in a reference to the great movie somewhere).
  • Goose - Maverick’s partner in crime and I’m fairly sure an office ‘bro-mance’ is going on there.
  • de TRAX man - my supervisor is the TRAX guru. (TRAX is a software used by airlines)
  • Mrs Soup - brings in soup for lunch, but it just sits there and keeps accumulating.
  • Miss Teapot - cute little teapot sits on her desk.
  • Miss Gravy&Chips - does she order anything else for lunch?
  • “Dad” - self-explanatory - the “Dad” in the group
  • Miss Sheep - one day she brought in a book about sheep (there’s a story). Every now and then she’s down on her farm in Victoria……I’ll leave it there.
  • The Boss - He has to put up with the laughter from the ‘other side’.

Starting with the ‘Chocolate Drawer Saga’, I intend to share some of my team stories, what we get up to and talk about in the office. They’re sure to entertain. Stay tuned.

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February 25, 2011

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Reflections & Learning

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Headhunted: why I chose to stay put

A week ago I had an interesting phone call. Surprising? Not really. But…interesting. I turned down my previous role.

This significant experience was overwhelming, flattering, a little awkward and for a moment, confusing.

I have never been in a position before where a previous employer has offered an opportunity to return. This is a lesson I wish to document and reflect upon.

First of all, I don’t think I handled it particularly well. However, I believe I dealt with the situation the best I could at the time. I found it difficult to communicate my reasons for my choice; I wasn’t prepared. The phone call in itself was a sign that I’ve started to make my mark….and I’ve only been in this industry (and profession) for nine months.

Secondly, let’s delve into why I chose I stay put.

  1. Stability - I wish to stay with an employer for at least a few years to allow enough time to follow through on projects, as well as capture opportunities available to diversify and develop my skills in an increasingly familiar and “safe” environment. I’ve been with my current employer for only five months. I don’t want to be switching to and fro between employers.
  2. Culture fit - I believe I fit in with my current employer’s culture better than my previous employer. I’ve well and truly started to develop a sense of belonging to the company and the team I work with.
  3. Potential Opportunities - I believe I will have more opportunities to be involved in continuous improvement projects; there are also less barriers to improving processes and information services and generally, getting things done. I am already committed to a few projects already. I’d like to follow through and see them completed.
  4. Support - Even though my former supervisor clearly supports me, I’ve support also from my current supervisor and colleagues. This is important to me. Especially when I’m in a profession that’s not quite understood by others. People, my internal customers, are beginning to trust me.
  5. People I liaise with every day - I work with some pretty cool people! They’re hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and there’s a sense of ‘taking care of each other’ and acknowledging others’ hard work. For example, a colleague of mine is working on a massive project at the moment and has been working mighty long hours. There hasn’t been a lot I can do to help but one day I brought in Milky Ways for his chocolate drawer.

Have I taken a gamble? I sure have. Certainly because I’m currently on contract with seven months to go. There’s no guarantee I’ll have a role at the end of it.

Have I made the right decision? I believe I have.

Why? Because all that’s at stake is worth me finding out my future with my current employer.

The hardest part of this situation was not deciding what to do, but how I could communicate my reasons to a man with an absolute heart of gold. I really do hope I haven’t burnt my bridges with someone who has become somewhat an informal mentor to me in the aviation industry. On my last day, he almost brought me to tears with the praise he had for me. No one had ever shown as much respect and gratitude for my work.

I had disappointed him, though he said he understood my reasons. I did enjoy working in my previous workplace, there’s a “family” atmosphere I was welcomed into, but it just makes sense to stay where I am at this stage.

If you’ve been in a similar situation before, how did you deal with it? I’d really like to hear others’ experiences. Do you have any advice?