“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

April 8, 2010 at 2:33 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

DISCLAIMER: Before you read this, please know that this post isn’t directed towards anyone in particular. The things below have nothing to do with how I view the Chamber as an employer or how they view me as an employee. These are just my thoughts in general.

I’ve been working at the Chamber for two years now (April 1 was my anniversary!) and I’m ready for the next step on my ladder of success. I really enjoy the things I get to do at the Chamber but I feel if I don’t make a change that in 20 years I will be sitting at the same desk, making the same amount of money and doing the exact same things I’m doing now. That works for some people, but I know someone upstairs has bigger plans for me and I’m a lot more ambitious than that. This job has been an important first step on my success ladder and I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities and experiences I’ve had and will continue to have here, but I know it is only practice for my next opportunity! There is no doubt in my mind that I will be doing big things one day.

Since I know you’re sitting there thinking “gee, I wonder what Alison is looking for”, then you’re in luck! In a perfect world, my perfect boss would:

– Trust me; just because you used to do it one way doesn’t necessarily mean that is the same way I have to do it as long as the end result is the same or better
– Work WITH me and not AGAINST me
– Not be bossy (it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it)
– Allow me to make a mistake (within reason, of course) so I can learn from it
– Take things as they come; if a good opportunity comes along, run with it and give 100% effort/support to it
– Be innovative and open to new ideas and change
– Be flexible when it comes to time spent in the office
– Encourage participation in various professional development organizations/events
– Not be a micro-manager.
– View me as the professional that I am and that I strive to be
– Be a great teacher
– Be understanding
– Challenge me, but not with unrealistic goals
– Provide me with the appropriate tools needed to complete my job

I know, you don’t have to tell me. I’m living in a fantasy world. Wouldn’t it be great if the person described above existed? I believe they do (for the most part anyway) and I just haven’t found them yet…one can hope, right 🙂

But in all seriousness, I just want a boss that isn’t micro-managing. I think it’s very hard to be motivated and confident at work when someone is breathing down your back and changing/criticizing everything you do. Don’t misunderstand me here, though; I want to be challenged. I want someone to critique me and say “hey, the way you did it works, but what if next time we did it this way instead.” Like I said above it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. I know my ideas aren’t always the best ones, but instead of shooting me down with an “it’s my way or the highway” attitude, can we work together to come up with a better solution?

Everyone likes and needs positive reinforcement from time to time. I will say that there is a very fine line between genuine positive reinforcement and fake positive reinforcement. Don’t compliment everything I do because I know everything I do isn’t amazing, only 95% of it is 😉

Just kidding, but really though it will seem fake if you run into my office after every email I send and say (begin big cheesy grin) “OHHH GREAT JOB! You’re just doing GREAT, Alison”….really? All I did was ask you if my music was too loud in my office. Genuine positive reinforcement might sound like “Alison, I know you worked really hard on this, and it’s really paid off! Great job!”.

So what are you waiting for? Go tell a co-worker how much you appreciate them!

Maybe I’m saying a little too much. But you know what? I’ve decided to build a door because I KNOW that the perfect opportunity will come knocking.