My appreciation this month is different but fitting…
My family decided to fulfill a life-long dream to live in Denver area. Since this meant quite a bit of change, we considered how many aspects (experiments/challenges) we could take advantage of during this time. One of the biggest ones was for me to completely change up my responsibilities at work.
The drivers behind this decision included:
- A desire to be a little selfish and focus on my growth
- A desire to continue to expand my knowledge and skill sets
- A desire to go out a little further out of my comfort zone (professionally and personally)
In the past year, these are the highlights of what I learned:
- I learned a ton about learning environments, especially with no reputation to leverage. I had to learn how to quickly create a safe environment so people could engage in learning with no prior relationship.
- I had to challenge my creativity in creating exercises that helped demonstrate points for learning.
- I had to embrace “what you truly need to know” to make learning effective in small doses.
- I learned that I didn’t loose my client relationship (consulting) skills.
- I love working in teams. However, much of my responsibilities for the past year was independent work. At first, that was refreshing but I greatly missed collaborating with others. Not only are my deliverables better in a team environment, but I’m also more energized. We’ll chalk that up to my extroverted side.
- I learned that helping other people grow is not enough. That’s not really a shocker that I too need autonomy, mastery and purpose to be passionate.
- I learned that travel with two small children was doable but not ideal for our family.
- I learned that I can eat my own dog food…that I can survive going outside of my comfort zone and now have recent experiences to draw on to help others.
I’m proud of this list – of this learning. I didn’t expect to learn so much in just over a year but I’m very grateful for the opportunity. After being reminded and validated of what I love and need, meant it’s time for me to return to a company to lead to the edge from within. I’m very proud and excited to announce that I will be joining Pearson starting July 2nd as Manager of Project Management. I have no idea what I will learn next but I’m ready and eager to lead again!
I experimented and learned. That alone makes this past year a good one and one that I appreciate!
