Work Life Lessons

Work Life Lessons

For the past year, I have been working at our local two year technical school.   Monday of this week was actually my one year anniversary.  My boss lady gave me a very cool bracelet.  I wanted to mention that I work for a female.  Don’t want you to think my boss is trying to score.    I think she is beginning to get me.  The bracelet is very hippie-ish.  (yes, Microsoft I know that is not a word, but I shall use it regardless)  

My work history has been focused in the secretarial field, aside from a brief stint as a clerk at a department store.   I have worked in many types of offices.  Let’s see, I was in the continuing education department at a four year college;  a couple of lawyers offices ; real estate syndication firm; insurance offices; church; library.  Wow, I know I am an oldie, but I have worked in a lot of fields.  I should take each and write a blog about my experiences and observations of each. 

Before living in this sweet little town in Georgia, I lived in a much larger town in Tennessee.  In the larger town, office managers were concerned about your abilities, not what type of degree you had acquired.  I never attended college because the high school I graduated from had a jam up business department.  I took every business class I could and loved every minute of it.  Two weeks after graduation I had a job in a secretarial pool.  I thought I had arrived.  The company that I was employed with had acquired a smaller company in another state and I was sent off for training. Can you imagine a 17 year old just out of high school getting a job and very soon after getting on plane to another state!  I felt like Mary Tyler Moore in the TV show That Girl.  Alas, I fell into the “grass is greener” trap.  But I cannot complain.  God uses any and all situations for His good.  Looking back at my employment history, I have learned so much from each and every person and situation I have encountered.  Good and bad.  

Some of the good:  Honesty is truly the best policy.  However, I have had bosses twist truth for their gain and others demise.   Example, a boss once bragged on an employee for telling the truth about smoking pot.  “Boy he is honest!”  A few months past and the story was, “We can’t trust him, you know he use to smoke pot!”  This boss asks me to attend an out of town business meeting with him, but not to take minutes.  I did not stay there long. 

Another good; If you work hard, you are rewarded. Sometimes with only words and experience, but you will be rewarded.  Honesty also includes admitting when you mess up, don’t pass the buck.  Own up to your errors.  This stops employers in his/her tracks.  The looks on their face is priceless.  I should also note that is the right thing to do. 

 Some of the bad: You can’t steal from Peter to pay Paul.  (Can’t comingle funds)  One boss did this and ended up in the federal pen.  Needless to say that company folded.  I was the last employee and very pregnant with our daughter.  Packing up and shipping out everything was interesting in my condition. 

Of all the bosses I have had, rarely have I found one that really cared about their employees opinions, especially if they differ from the opinion of the one signing the paycheck.  Employers are willing to listen and trying ideas that will grow the company.  This brings to mind another short about a boss that would give people permission to try new ideas.  He would say to his “confident” that he, employer, knows the person with idea, is going to fail.  He enjoyed sitting back and watching them crash and burn. All the while he was encouraging the idea makers to their face.  Most people with their name on the door, or the ones that feel they deserve to be the name on the door don’t seem to care much about in-house issues.  They are more concerned with their bottom line. Inter office issues seem to be best resolved between the persons involved.  But, both parties have to be calm and mature in their attitudes.  I also find that everyone has something good about them.  You may have to look really hard, but it is there.    If you have to resolve conflict with a co-worker, also mention their good point and/or points.  Make your comments sincere.  Also, acknowledge your part in the problem.  As a friend once said, there are three parts to every story; yours, mine and what happened.  If you share responsibility with the issue you can also partner with your co-worker to be part of the solution.   This seems to help in resolving issues and leaving you in a better working relationship with the person or persons involved. 

I have finally concluded that work is work.  Do your job, stay in your space and unless your bosses ask something illegal or immoral of you, just do the task and move on.   It has taken me years upon years to realize this.  Attitude is hard to commit to paper, but I have found that when I remain calm, bite my tongue, and do my job to the best of my ability.  I feel more accomplished and can handle “issues”. 

My husband and I come in from our respective jobs, put our feet up and vent for about 30 minutes.  We don’t try to solve each other’s work issues, we just listen.  We don’t wait to talk, we really listen. (Pulp Fiction reference)   We ask questions and acknowledge that you can’t fix stupid and continue on this life journey.

Well, I guess that is all for now!

Remember, even when it is raining, let's shine!