I work in a software company. Needless to say, I see people coming in & going out often. Before I got a job - as a fresher, I used to think 'any company, any salary and my life's made'. Little did I know how far away from reality I was. When I eventually did get my first job (just more than 10 years ago) I was under the impression that if I'm happy with the company & I have a decent enough pay, then my life's made. Of course, the more I aged in the industry, the more there were parameters that influenced my job satisfaction. I realized there was no ideal salary. The more I got, the more I wanted. I realized that politics & bad managers were as real as night & day ... there's no avoiding both categories. I also understood that I could never be done with 'studying' - which I wanted so badly after college.
I was so done with studying by the end of college that I thought a job would put a full stop to boring education. I wonder what my reaction would be had I had a chance to see my view on education 10 years down the line. I would've probably had a nervous breakdown. But the fact is that the view I have of education has changed because, simply put, education makes more sense when you can apply it... which is what I'm trying to do right now... very unlike what happened in college. M-U-G. Application of concepts was pure fiction!
But yes, I have to accept that it is not only to apply concepts that I'm trying to get educated right now. There are other intentions too... like upgrading my skillset so that I can attempt to be a critical resource or at the very least make my resume look good. May be the 2nd works more often. Also, if I have to be true to myself, I have to admit that the certifications usually come when I'm planning to update my resume! :D
A good friend in office who is never tired of explaining things to me once said that deciding on how long you stay in a company is akin to pit stops in racing.
"In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refueling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above. Teams usually plan for each of their cars to pit following a planned schedule, with the number of stops determined by the fuel capacity of the car, tire lifespan, and tradeoff of time lost in the pits versus how much time may be gained on the race track through the benefits of pit stops. Choosing the optimum pit strategy of how many stops to make and when to make them is crucial in having a successful race"
Very enlightening! I never looked at it that way but he made a lot of sense to me. So I was thinking the other day that it was time to get ... well... 'certified'!! :D But the next problem was 'which certification'. Everyone around me (which includes even people with lesser experience) is very keen on project management certifications. It seems to be a stepping stone in achieving the manager status & obtaining reportees - be it in the current job or a new one that they're aspiring for. Its a hot cake... or so it seems. But something must be very wrong with me. Why do I not want to do it? Why do I detest being a manager?! I think, there are 2 main reasons among many others. #1. Being a manger means taking on added responsibilities & in most cases that translates to more work. I have a 1000 reasons why I don't want to take up more work. Kids, life in general et al. Does that translate to laziness? Probably... but I'm undecided about that. #2. I have had some really terrible managers - so much so, I'm traumatized by just their memories...& I fear I will be like one of them. Reason #2 is very strong on my mind because the last time I had the responsibility of managing a guy, I botched up so bad, I don't even want to think about it - EVER!
So I strongly believe that not everyone is made to be a people manager. You can be a task manager... & a good one too. But people-managing is a separate art altogether. Its unfortunate that there are so many people-managers out there who are so unprepared for the task at hand & who really have no idea that they're messing up, let alone wanting to improve!!
So, today, was a day when somebody made a move on after a pit stop of 7years at my company. The day a chapter of my life has closed. This somebody gave me unimaginable trauma & added to my fear of PMP! I'm so glad that she gave me more insight into how bad a manager can be... & I'm not being sarcastic! I have to say, she made me a stronger person & showed me that I really can be patient. I'm also glad that from tomorrow on I wont have to go through the pain of seeing her face everyday and relive the painfully traumatic memories. Thankyou, for getting a move on. Here's wishing any reportees she may have in future all the very best!
I was so done with studying by the end of college that I thought a job would put a full stop to boring education. I wonder what my reaction would be had I had a chance to see my view on education 10 years down the line. I would've probably had a nervous breakdown. But the fact is that the view I have of education has changed because, simply put, education makes more sense when you can apply it... which is what I'm trying to do right now... very unlike what happened in college. M-U-G. Application of concepts was pure fiction!
But yes, I have to accept that it is not only to apply concepts that I'm trying to get educated right now. There are other intentions too... like upgrading my skillset so that I can attempt to be a critical resource or at the very least make my resume look good. May be the 2nd works more often. Also, if I have to be true to myself, I have to admit that the certifications usually come when I'm planning to update my resume! :D
A good friend in office who is never tired of explaining things to me once said that deciding on how long you stay in a company is akin to pit stops in racing.
"In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refueling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above. Teams usually plan for each of their cars to pit following a planned schedule, with the number of stops determined by the fuel capacity of the car, tire lifespan, and tradeoff of time lost in the pits versus how much time may be gained on the race track through the benefits of pit stops. Choosing the optimum pit strategy of how many stops to make and when to make them is crucial in having a successful race"
Very enlightening! I never looked at it that way but he made a lot of sense to me. So I was thinking the other day that it was time to get ... well... 'certified'!! :D But the next problem was 'which certification'. Everyone around me (which includes even people with lesser experience) is very keen on project management certifications. It seems to be a stepping stone in achieving the manager status & obtaining reportees - be it in the current job or a new one that they're aspiring for. Its a hot cake... or so it seems. But something must be very wrong with me. Why do I not want to do it? Why do I detest being a manager?! I think, there are 2 main reasons among many others. #1. Being a manger means taking on added responsibilities & in most cases that translates to more work. I have a 1000 reasons why I don't want to take up more work. Kids, life in general et al. Does that translate to laziness? Probably... but I'm undecided about that. #2. I have had some really terrible managers - so much so, I'm traumatized by just their memories...& I fear I will be like one of them. Reason #2 is very strong on my mind because the last time I had the responsibility of managing a guy, I botched up so bad, I don't even want to think about it - EVER!
So I strongly believe that not everyone is made to be a people manager. You can be a task manager... & a good one too. But people-managing is a separate art altogether. Its unfortunate that there are so many people-managers out there who are so unprepared for the task at hand & who really have no idea that they're messing up, let alone wanting to improve!!
So, today, was a day when somebody made a move on after a pit stop of 7years at my company. The day a chapter of my life has closed. This somebody gave me unimaginable trauma & added to my fear of PMP! I'm so glad that she gave me more insight into how bad a manager can be... & I'm not being sarcastic! I have to say, she made me a stronger person & showed me that I really can be patient. I'm also glad that from tomorrow on I wont have to go through the pain of seeing her face everyday and relive the painfully traumatic memories. Thankyou, for getting a move on. Here's wishing any reportees she may have in future all the very best!
