For two months now, I've been mulling and reflecting on last year and what interventions might I make in 2014 to steer me onwards in all aspects of life - a fancy-way of saying I was trying to make New Year resolutions. Except my new 'lifestyle', a phrase some colleagues have used to refer to my new role, got in the way of quiet thoughts. The year 2014 got off to an intense start indeed. The intensity was not new and very much welcomed and relished, but the consequences of not doing well were many folds heavier.
It seems fall has been a time of change for me these past two years - we moved to the U.S. in the fall of 2012, and the fall that just past, I was told of this new role....sorry, "lifestyle". I understand that in this role, there're many factors that are not within my control that needs flexibility to simply do the job. This demand on time is similar to what I was used to working in Singapore, and not at all alien to me, but I guess the nature of a geographic role and what it entails is not familiar to many. I have the privilege now of having experienced two facets of our global function, and I hope many more get to do so, or at least if not, I am able to help bring perspective.
By the way, what a delight to be able to connect life's events to seasons' cycles! But I digress.
So what's up with my new year.
I know I will miss the role I'm leaving and most certainly, my first boss here. His patience, generosity, and self-awareness helped me settle into work and life here, and his constant encouragement and reinforcement of what I'm doing right, i.e. "how" I approach people and work and get things done, kept me out of trouble.
My new role is an extremely rare opportunity. It puts me in a front row seat to corporate strategy, on a rocket ship to new frontiers, and whatever metaphors for an exciting and highly exposed position one can think of. This is again a testament to my boss' big-heartedness in recognizing it for what it was, and giving me up prematurely by agreeing to my move. While I agree with a lot of what Sheryl Sandberg had to say in her book Lean In, I am not inclined to want to address what causes my surprise at being thought of highly and given responsibilities that are the stuff of dreams. I remain grounded and appreciative and fully aware of the value of what I have been given, regardless of whether it was handed to me or as is the case every time, I, and many of my sponsors and supporters, had to work hard and fight for them.
I've been blessed with many well-meaning tips and advice from coaches, mentors, friends and colleagues around me. It's time to dig up those notes, reflect on my longer-term goals, and set some targets for 2014.
It seems fall has been a time of change for me these past two years - we moved to the U.S. in the fall of 2012, and the fall that just past, I was told of this new role....sorry, "lifestyle". I understand that in this role, there're many factors that are not within my control that needs flexibility to simply do the job. This demand on time is similar to what I was used to working in Singapore, and not at all alien to me, but I guess the nature of a geographic role and what it entails is not familiar to many. I have the privilege now of having experienced two facets of our global function, and I hope many more get to do so, or at least if not, I am able to help bring perspective.
By the way, what a delight to be able to connect life's events to seasons' cycles! But I digress.
So what's up with my new year.
I know I will miss the role I'm leaving and most certainly, my first boss here. His patience, generosity, and self-awareness helped me settle into work and life here, and his constant encouragement and reinforcement of what I'm doing right, i.e. "how" I approach people and work and get things done, kept me out of trouble.
My new role is an extremely rare opportunity. It puts me in a front row seat to corporate strategy, on a rocket ship to new frontiers, and whatever metaphors for an exciting and highly exposed position one can think of. This is again a testament to my boss' big-heartedness in recognizing it for what it was, and giving me up prematurely by agreeing to my move. While I agree with a lot of what Sheryl Sandberg had to say in her book Lean In, I am not inclined to want to address what causes my surprise at being thought of highly and given responsibilities that are the stuff of dreams. I remain grounded and appreciative and fully aware of the value of what I have been given, regardless of whether it was handed to me or as is the case every time, I, and many of my sponsors and supporters, had to work hard and fight for them.
There is no reason why one cannot be both humble and self-assured at the same time.I'm also looking forward to working with a new partner at work. It is refreshing to have someone else who understands the privilege of our roles and positions, and is upfront about being a ally. Already, we've had to deal with an assassin together and worked things out. It will be extremely enriching working with him, and I think together, our complementary skills will elevate the already wonder team that we're now part of.
I've been blessed with many well-meaning tips and advice from coaches, mentors, friends and colleagues around me. It's time to dig up those notes, reflect on my longer-term goals, and set some targets for 2014.
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| An instant print shot of our backyard, a very magical place in winter. |
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