| Blog Entry - Friday, March 7th, 2008 | Add / Read (0) |
Rob had a great post the other day about his perfect employer and job. It's been on my mind a lot of late, as I try to decide what's next for me. I remember one time, oh about 12 years ago, I had a long talk with my then-roommate Julie about perfect job, working conditions, etc. It's amazing how different my thoughts are now. I suspect this is a work in progress. I know enough to know that I don't have a perfect job. There are many jobs and career paths that could work for me and at which I think I could be successful. But I know some of the things I need and some of the things i can't accept.
Let's see... in no particular order...
- An employer who successfully walks the line between trusting me to get the job done and one who seems disinterested. I don't want to work all by myself, otherwise I'd go back to being self-employed. I want to work as part of a team. That means, you know, collaboration (I know, shock there), and teamwork, and discussing what ought to happen. I find that the coolest ideas come from discussing my cool ideas with someone who might also have cool ideas - suddenly the cool ideas get together and become amazing. On the other hand, I'm not saying that I want to be in meetings constantly or on call 24-7 so that I can't get some work done and get my life lived as well. I've been there and done that and grown out of it.
- An employer who shares. I want to know what's going on with the company and the business as much as I can. I hate surprises and I hate feeling left out. I've got enough experience and expertise (15 years, more or less, in all kinds of industries and companies) and intelligence that I can usually be helpful. Or, if it's something that's not appropriate to be shared, at least tell me that much. I'm not nosy, I just don't like to be left out when I may be affected or be able to help or take advantage of something.
- An employer who has a mission and values. People and companies change and that's ok; necessary in fact, but they have to have a plan and know what they're willing to do to achieve that plan... and what they're not willing to do. And I have to be able to know and agree with that. I'm a great evangelist...as long as I believe in what I'm evangelizing. And when I don't, it doesn't work at all.
- An employer who knows that a company's greatest assets are its people. I'm going to work extremely hard at whatever I'm doing. Appreciate that and don't turn around and screw me over. Plus... take advantage of my skills and knowledge. Take time to figure out what I'm good at doing and connect that with what you need, even if it's not what seems obvious.
- An employer who believes me when I tell them what I need - personally and professionally - to be successful. I know myself a little bit, and I know what kind of help I need and where I need coaching/mentoring and if I'm willing to ASK for a specific kind of management, it might make sense to listen and at least consider whether you can make that happen.
- An employer who treats me like an adult and communicates with me. All the time. If I make a mistake, tell me. If we need to do something differently, tell me. If I'm doing a great job, tell me.
- I don't like working for myself completely. It's not that I don't have entrepreneurial ideas, but I'm pretty risk averse and need to know where that next mortgage payment is coming from.
- I work hard. But I can't work 70 hours a week every week for very long without being unhappy. If a project with a deadline crops up, I'm there. But I expect that projects will be scoped appropriately and planned so that this isn't the case all the time. I have a life and am better at what I do when I'm living it.
- I'm not made to do exactly the same thing day after day. I'm better at variety, troubleshooting, projects, making things happen on a schedule.
- Money's not everything, but it's not nothing either. Know what you can afford to pay and have a plan for bonuses, raises, benefits, etc. Communicate it. I'll tell you if my needs change for some reason. Regular performance and salary/benefits reviews are important. I should never be surprised by what we talk about in a performance review, but it's a good idea to have the regular discussions so that we stay on the same page and we can make career and salary updates as appropriate. This is also a good time to check in about larger career issues - are we happy with each other? do we need changes? do I have ideas or hopes that I've been waiting to talk about? Where to next - for both of us. Stagnant isn't healthy for people or companies.
- Blogging, conferences, writing articles - depending on the industry and etc, these should be seen as the great marketing they can be, and discussed openly, and encouraged when appropriate.
- Don't lie to a client about what I know how to do. I won't lie to you about what I can do. I can learn - fast - and am happy to do so, even on the fly. But don't tell someone I know something that I don't. In fact, don't lie to a client or me about anything.
- Don't yell at me or other employees. Yes, i worked for someone who did this. In public. Never again. Mistakes or bad decisions do happen. You can be upset, but please try to be in control.
In return, I will be where you need me to be, when you need me to be there. I will be a team player and as much of a leader as you give me the chance to be. I will be diligent and meticulous. I will use all that great brain power I've got to do what you ask me to do or what I see needs to be done. I will ask questions and be thoughtful and work as though all the profits were going in my pocket. I will be the best representative of your company that I know how to be. if the door is open, I will come to you if something upsets me. I will try to resolve it. I will learn. I will think.
I'm sure there are more, but if I keep writing this, I'm not writing my thesis. Off I go.
Author: Libby Ingrassia
Posted at: 11:43:08 AM
