So, my employer finally hired a director for our department. After two years without anything resembling leadership, we have someone who has the skills and authority to drive significant change in my office.
Finally.
One part of this is working with everyone in the office to improve their personal and professional development to enable all of us to grow into better people and employees. He’s definitely into the mentoring thing.
I’ve always considered myself a good employee, but I have some shortcomings as far as personality goes. I’m not especially good at making personal connections quickly with people at work. I get along with everyone on a professional level and am polite and courteous, but do not put a lot of effort into converting co-workers into friends and don’t put any stock in playing the politics games.
The good part is that I’m self-aware. I know that I have this problem and I know that it doesn’t help me. It wasn’t until my boss pointed it out to me, though, that I realized it was actually hurting me professionally. Especially here, where there is so much emphasis on “playing the game.”
So, I’m working on that. Not the “playing the game” part so much, but the making personal connections part.
And I’m not just doing it because it will be better for me professionally, but because I know it’ll make my personal life easier and better, too.
Posted by alexthegraham 