So, my last post resonated with several of you, which probably surprises me more than it should. To answer the question, I have no idea why no plants. The fact is, they are so hands-off about every aspect of policy, I have no problem with one vaguely arbitrary rule.
And I don't feel like I have to give up my essential self in following this rule, so, fine.
The thing is, after my rough day, I came home, got some sleep, then went back in for more.
And in the clear light of day, things looked better. I made some real progress on getting everything settled, and I was finally able to access some really critical software that should make my job easier. Also, my boss' boss came in for the first time since I started. She gave me a huge hug and welcomed me.
I ended up walking out with an old colleague from my former company. He just recently resigned, and I was sad to hear it, but it was good to get to see him this week. He got the door as we were leaving, and he said, "I wish I could have opened more doors for you." I'm not reading a lot into that, but either way that it was meant, it was really nice.
So that was Wednesday.
Thursday (yesterday), we had a company event. It was called the Day of Service, and it was a lunch sponsored by the company and served by senior managers to thank the employees for all they do. I think it's a nice practice. We ended up having burgers and dogs from a food truck called Buns on the Run. The execs dished out side salads, corn on the cob, beans, brownies, etc. I was feeling a little weird, but as I was standing in the food truck line, I started talking with three people behind me. I met a guy whose husband works for a local film festival. The fact that nobody even reacted when he said husband, told me that this company isn't just talk - they're actually diverse. We talked about food, Nashville neighborhoods and badge lanyards.
I should probably explain. My team is about 20 people, and we share the building with another subsidiary of the parent company. They're about 100 strong. The people I knew coming into this job all work for the other subsidiary - and there isn't just tons of unity between the two. Both sides have said that maybe I'll be the bridge. I hope so.
Anyway, I ended up at the table with my peeps, and we just had a nice, chill time. I saw one of my former colleagues that I hadn't seen in probably five years, and went to say hello. He was really excited to see me and so glad I'd landed there. It was just a good, positive experience.
When we got back to our desks, one of my new co-workers told me he was really glad I was there and that my presence was a "breath of fresh air". I died a little.
Then, I had a long conversation with the plant narc. Turns out I misread her. She's not mean or petty - she's young and she's anxious. She is trying to make friends and allies, and she wanted me to know she had my back, and she wants me to have hers. I am willing to admit when I'm wrong and, y'all, I was wrong. Write it down, it's rare.
Anyway. Things just did a 180 in mere days.
Today, my boss was back for the first time this week. She left a manual on my desk and a note that she'd explain later. She came over and got me around 10, and we spent the next two hours in her office. She asked how it was going and I told I was really enjoying it, and that I had done the training prep she suggested, and I had a list of questions. I just wasn't entirely sure they're relevant. So I asked a few of them and she said, "These are great questions and they're absolutely relevant. And she broke it down for me to a point where I felt really solid about the next month. She asked how I was fitting in, we talked about some future state, and I got the best feeling about being there.
Later that afternoon, my boss walked by and mentioned that she liked my desk setup.
So, you never know. Best to take a deep breath and not panic over the little things. Essentially, I couldn't see the garden because of the herbs... to mangle a metaphor.
So, I'm good. I'm feeling better. I'm ready to chillax this weekend, for sure!
And then it gets crazy until July.
ae
And I don't feel like I have to give up my essential self in following this rule, so, fine.
The thing is, after my rough day, I came home, got some sleep, then went back in for more.
And in the clear light of day, things looked better. I made some real progress on getting everything settled, and I was finally able to access some really critical software that should make my job easier. Also, my boss' boss came in for the first time since I started. She gave me a huge hug and welcomed me.
I ended up walking out with an old colleague from my former company. He just recently resigned, and I was sad to hear it, but it was good to get to see him this week. He got the door as we were leaving, and he said, "I wish I could have opened more doors for you." I'm not reading a lot into that, but either way that it was meant, it was really nice.
So that was Wednesday.
Thursday (yesterday), we had a company event. It was called the Day of Service, and it was a lunch sponsored by the company and served by senior managers to thank the employees for all they do. I think it's a nice practice. We ended up having burgers and dogs from a food truck called Buns on the Run. The execs dished out side salads, corn on the cob, beans, brownies, etc. I was feeling a little weird, but as I was standing in the food truck line, I started talking with three people behind me. I met a guy whose husband works for a local film festival. The fact that nobody even reacted when he said husband, told me that this company isn't just talk - they're actually diverse. We talked about food, Nashville neighborhoods and badge lanyards.
I should probably explain. My team is about 20 people, and we share the building with another subsidiary of the parent company. They're about 100 strong. The people I knew coming into this job all work for the other subsidiary - and there isn't just tons of unity between the two. Both sides have said that maybe I'll be the bridge. I hope so.
Anyway, I ended up at the table with my peeps, and we just had a nice, chill time. I saw one of my former colleagues that I hadn't seen in probably five years, and went to say hello. He was really excited to see me and so glad I'd landed there. It was just a good, positive experience.
When we got back to our desks, one of my new co-workers told me he was really glad I was there and that my presence was a "breath of fresh air". I died a little.
Then, I had a long conversation with the plant narc. Turns out I misread her. She's not mean or petty - she's young and she's anxious. She is trying to make friends and allies, and she wanted me to know she had my back, and she wants me to have hers. I am willing to admit when I'm wrong and, y'all, I was wrong. Write it down, it's rare.
Anyway. Things just did a 180 in mere days.
Today, my boss was back for the first time this week. She left a manual on my desk and a note that she'd explain later. She came over and got me around 10, and we spent the next two hours in her office. She asked how it was going and I told I was really enjoying it, and that I had done the training prep she suggested, and I had a list of questions. I just wasn't entirely sure they're relevant. So I asked a few of them and she said, "These are great questions and they're absolutely relevant. And she broke it down for me to a point where I felt really solid about the next month. She asked how I was fitting in, we talked about some future state, and I got the best feeling about being there.
Later that afternoon, my boss walked by and mentioned that she liked my desk setup.
So, you never know. Best to take a deep breath and not panic over the little things. Essentially, I couldn't see the garden because of the herbs... to mangle a metaphor.
So, I'm good. I'm feeling better. I'm ready to chillax this weekend, for sure!
And then it gets crazy until July.
ae
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