Difficult, challenging times – we all go through them, some worse than others. We can allow them to hold us in place – mentally, emotionally, physically – or we can use the experiences to learn and grow. We always have a choice.
Eve learned early in her career that when people, including your manager, resist change, it’s usually because of timing, lack of knowledge, fear of the unknown, or fear of losing face. She also learned that trust builds over time. You can’t rush it. People will learn they can trust you when they experience your consistency of purpose for the greater good.
When she worked for difficult managers and in dysfunctional departments, Eve knew there would be better days ahead. She would survive and even thrive by focusing on what was going to make a positive difference for the people with whom she worked, whether they were in her office or geographically dispersed. This was long before Covid.
She knew that treating others with respect, no matter their role, is paramount. She learned that many will want to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done, but some, not necessarily the very vocal ones, want things to improve. She would connect with them. Her style is to do a lot of listening and ask questions to understand.
When Eve started working where she is today, she soon learned that things that looked great on the surface were a mess internally. Computer systems were incompatible, people were pushing paper and doing what was needed, but there were no performance reviews, no department goals.
She had to get a handle on what her people were doing and why, and, at the same time, she made a point of learning what the other dots in the organization were and how they were or weren’t connecting. She decided that streamlining and developing the people would be her key goals.
Eve became known for her genuine interest in improving the way things were, and for learning about individuals, their goals and interests, so she could help them grow.
Now, five years later, her company wants to clone her. Since that’s impossible, a new position was created through which she can discover, develop and implement what will streamline other departments and ensure they will work more in sync with each other.
Her manager, who initially resisted change, now is one of Eve’s strongest champions.
Whatever you’re dealing with today, you can learn and grow from it. You are evolving as you make choices. You are being strengthened to deal with what’s ahead. Paths that open up may surprise you. Keep going. It’s a twisty road to becoming more of your best self.
