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.

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