This Week's Thank You Note: The one who asks good questions

I started a new job a few weeks ago. As with any reinvention, there is a lot of new. New environment. New people. New expectations. This is when I have to shush my introverted tendencies and put on my extroverted hat.

As part of my training, I had one-on-one meetings with many of the people I'd be working closely with. It was an opportunity to learn more about what their jobs and daily tasks entail. But more than that, I wanted the opportunity to get to know the people I'd be working with and to ask them interesting questions.

Getting to know my co-workers on a personal level is one of the best parts of starting a new job. Understanding personalities and learning where their passions are. I was surprised when many of them didn't really have an answer to "what excites you?" or figured I was talking about the job they do. Makes me think we don't ask that enough of each other.

There was one conversation, though, where my new co-worker turned the tables. When I asked if she had any questions for me, she immediately asked me what excited me. What my passion was. It's been awhile since I answered those questions out loud, so it was fun to try to verbalize my love of words, of learning and of listening to people. And I knew this was someone I was going to enjoy working with.

Thank you, Emma, for being curious and always asking great questions.

Comments

Unchosen: The Graduation Invite

Sometimes I'm really bad at predicting which design a customer is going to choose. And that leaves me with some of my favorite designs unclaimed. I'm going to start highlighting some unclaimed designs here in the blog, as well as some of my favorite designs that were chosen. I'm pretty proud of my concoctions, and I want to show them off! I've been doing a lot of invitations lately, and they are a lot of fun. I'm sticking to the small, intimate parties (no Bridezillas here, please) like bachelorette and graduation parties. My customers have great ideas for themed parties and you just can't find invitations at Target for the "She Got Knocked Up" baby shower. Okay, I haven't done that one yet, but I bet it would be a blast! This unchosen design came from a recent graduation party invitation. The soon-to-be alma mater's colors were green and gold, and the graduate is a big fan of pink. That's where the color scheme came from. Because it was a ...

This week's thank you: The person who makes time

Time by Stefanos Papachristou on Flickr CC BY NC I used to work at a bank where birthday and work anniversary notes from executives were part of the company culture. Even with about 350 people on staff, the executives made a point to know everyone who worked there. During my seven years at the company, I did informational interviews like mad. At least once a month, I picked up the tab for lunch to learn from someone I admired. Pretty much every executive at that organization made time for me at least once. I'm sure they weren't in it for the free lunch. These informational interviews provided me insight into everything from identifying skill sets to working to get myself into the right place at the right time. I've done a few interviews periodically since leaving that company with other people but short of an occasional LinkedIn update, I had lost touch with those executives. During the holiday rush, I ran into one of them at Target. That casual "hello" i...

For those who excel at being human

My son is 15 years old. It's a strange age. He is starting to look like an adult. The discussions we have are like talking with an adult, albeit with slightly less life experience. I trust him to cook for himself on occasion and not burn the house down. And yet, at 15, there are so many concerns that seem to hit teenagers harder than most adults. Am I smart enough? Do I look good enough? Am I funny enough? Do people like me? Most people need reminders of the things they do well. It's hard to see when it's something that is part of you and you do it every day. This is even more true for the students in your life. They are wrestling with worries about their future as well as their present. Finals. College entrance exams. Scholarship essays. Scholarship rejection letters. Instagram vacation pictures. Snapchat snide comments. Athletic personal records that surpass theirs. So many ways to feel like they are not enough. And yet, they are still studying. Still trying. Still ac...

A Note of Thanks

Search This Blog