A New Job

I’ve heard a few stories about how your life is put on hold while waiting for a transplant. It’s true that some things do change, but being in a holding pattern is not something I do well. Logan and I both decided that it would be a waste of time to be sedentary.  Instead, it’s life as normal.

Logan and I are in the middle of our respective classes this semester and I just accepted and started a new position at work – Engineering Manager! I can now put some of the lessons from my management classes to good use. It’s very exciting because I’m going back to work with a group that is passionate about their work and want to be successful. But there’s also some fun: Tie Tuesdays are now a tradition, with three of us wearing bow ties. It’s a fantastic work environment.

In one of my early management classes, there was a discussion on what great managers do differently and an associated book, First, Break all the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. The authors found that the work environment was almost exclusively dependent on the immediate management. You can ask any worker twelve simple questions and determine whether their environment promotes the development of employees and morale. I’ve referred to these questions many times to see whether I’m in a positive work environment. There has been a significant correlation between answering ‘yes’ to many questions and being happy and productive at work.

Without further ado, here they are:

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel my job is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work?
11. In the last six months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

From First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

In my new position, I can answer yes to all or almost all of these questions. Hopefully all of you can identify some positive responses to this list in your job. At a minimum, maybe it highlights where things can improve?

There are no holding patterns in this household; there are lots of positive things happening in our normal lives!