Chris rightfully tells me that I'm often quick to criticize without also balancing it with what's good. I often find it hard when giving reviews to my people to make sure it's a fair and balanced view of what occurred during the last quarter. Right now I'm having to write the annual reviews (which actually cover the period from October of 2003 through last September, and are a fifth review in addition to our quarterlies, we're terribly review-happy around here) and am having to look over the year picking up on nuances.
Luckily the system the company has devised, dividing the whole thing up into competencies, gives you little nuggets to think about, but then there's an overall strengths and weaknesses category on the annual review that I'm not used to writing. The competencies are easy to balance, but I find I have a hard time writing strengths without making some of them sound like back handed slaps. One of them was, "would be strong if he had something to do."
This won't be the final assessment, but it's not a good first effort on my part, either. I know I could do better in complementing a strong performer who is hampered by the lack of a good challenge here at the workplace. He's literally hampered by the lack of opportunity in his current job, and try as I can, I have a hard time finding ways to get him noticed by other management members so he can get promoted. I see the potential, and I try to get him networked, but there's only so much I can do.
Maybe that's a part of my cynical nature that turns me a little sour on this job. Really, all in all, for a office job, it isn't all that disagreeable, and there's lots to be thankful for. That brings me to my thought for the day...things about the job I'm thankful for.
*crickets chirp*
Nah, just kidding. Really, I work with a pretty good crew, and I've mentioned that before. Where they may not be all rocket scientists, they make up for it in heart or at least the ability to will to work with me and empathize. I love that they'll take a bullet for me, or at least a popsicle stick. There's few real problem's that I have do deal with, and I haven't had to fire anyone in years.
There's a salary, plus overtime. Can't say that for a lot of management positions. I get paid more than some, less than others. I'm not feeding a family of four, but I do find myself running on empty at the end of the month at times. Probably more of a testament to bad money management and overindulgence than anything else.
Unlike these times, when my best employee is just waiting for a chance to move up to management, I moved up quickly when there was a growing company, a strong economy and plenty of opportunity. I had that advantage, and took it. Sure, I suffer from the same problem he does now, I can't seem to go higher at this point, but I also have the advantage of positioning myself well, working myself onto teams that had good positioning, good projects and high profile accomplishments. I get to write at least one item each quarter something that ends up on the company-wide accomplishments. Now if my name appeared next to it...
I've been afforded some leeway to work on some interesting projects. I was allowed to do some television production that just let me know I have the bug. Finally those college courses counted for something. I also have written technical manuals and documents that were more fun than any bit of supervision I've ever done here. This is the stuff I'd rather be doing, and I know that. This is what I look to do in a new job, and knowing that is a good thing as I continue to scour web listings on Monster and Hot Jobs. If nothing else, I've learned more about myself here than Target or Mervyn's, previous employer's taught me.
I also gained more weight here. This job is sedentary, where previous ones were more active. Not a positive, but certainly something that has caused me to take action. Where as when I started this job I didn't have health insurance, in the last three years I've done more to take care of my health than I have done at any other time in my life. Prior to 2001, I hadn't seen a doctor in 15 years, and prior to this year I hadn't seen a dentist since high school, and now I have 7 fillings to prove it. I won't say that I'm in better shape right now, but I will be.
I was hired here, and they trained me, which is remarkable in this day and age. Most places I see online want you to come fully trained with years of experience, as if you would already come hard-wired with such information. I'm happy that some place would give you a chance. Of course, this was a entry-level job when I took it. When you aren't looking for that, the road gets much tougher. I wish I had much more knowledge, and this company isn't much for giving you more than the bare minimum to do the job. Luckily I'm a curious sort and try to soak up as much as I can. I tend to outdo my peers around here in knowledge, and it helped me move up faster. Still, compared to the industry, there's a lot I don't know. Tip of the iceberg.
So there you go. Maybe I do think too much about the bad, and don't talk (or do) enough about the good. I'm still not sure I did it, even now. Still, I'm thankful to be employed even after being with an employer that's gone through an SEC investigation and multi-million dollar settlement! Better than being out on the street with my baseball action figures in a cardboard box having to go back to Target for the holidays. Maybe 2005 will bring me to the next step in career development.
There's a lot to be thankful for this year.
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