Hello my dear reader!
It’s your favourite working-class Gen Z, back like I never left. Because I never did.
In this diary entry,
Catch Up
Work Update
Work Lesson
Extras from the week
CATCH UP
I would like to read from you this week, so please share with me how the past month/couple of weeks have been for you.
No pressure, I will go first 😉.
In the past 2 weeks I have used google docs so much more than in the entire year combined. I started writing 4 different pieces but, in typical impostor syndrome fashion, turned only one in to be published. (Baby steps. Next time I will send 2 in)
I went to the office physically and ended up spending over 2,000 naira for the round trip. (I need HR to be really scared for when I ask for a salary increase 😂 and I also need you to come out to vote in the upcoming general elections)
I have also invested a considerable amount of time in personal development.
Please share what you have been up to.
WORK UPDATE
Work has been lovely- I enjoy working so the long meetings, endless mails, and continuous documentation are very enjoyable (yes, we exist, we are not alien, we are human like you). This week, I had 3 meetings extend for about an hour after official work hours and I felt so fulfilled 😅. At this point, anyone discouraging meetings is against my joy and satisfaction and we may end up in a scuffle under the bridge- may the more hardworking woman (me) win.
One of the disadvantages of working fully remote is that you cannot see your colleagues. After a couple of months of working across 3 different teams (is this normal?), I finally met 2 team members and some other colleagues. A great week 2 weeks.
Oh yeah, I entered my first heated meeting. Who said the life of a manager is easy?
It is me; I am the one that said it. 💀
WORK LESSON OF THE WEEK
On Feedback,
One of my very first diary entries was on this topic.
Often times when we are unsure of our work, we are afraid to ask for feedback because we would rather not hear someone else verbalize our fears, concerns and worries. So, we trudge on, doing the same thing, making the same mistakes, and getting the same results.
This is harmful to you as an individual and also as a growing professional. As an individual, it robs you of the opportunity to learn how to take correction, and as a professional it just keeps you from identifying your blind spots and unprofessionalism.
I learnt this the hard way, and in correcting my mistakes when it was almost too late (Emphasis on almost, because God of 11th hour is my God!), I learnt that asking for feedback instead of waiting for it to be given, is one sure way of taking charge.
Consider this, you have spent 3 months in an organisation and you reach out to your manager for feedback on your contribution to the team, whether you think you’re doing a good job or not.
As a new entrant in that organisation, this does a couple of things for you.
To your manager, it paints you as a proactive employee who is open to feedback and committed to growth. This is important because you need to make a good impression when you are in a new environment.
For you, it will help you get a sense of areas your manager pays attention to. Based on what he/she shares during the feedback session, you will be able to get a sense of what he/she values from the team and be able to position yourself accordingly
You get the opportunity to ask questions around your work and get pointers for career growth and general work direction, all in an atmosphere set by you.
Ask your manager for feedback next week and implement the feedback.
From the week,
This article was very insightful.
Thank you for reading.
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If you would like to be a contributor, send me an email at jagunsetemi@gmail.com
If you would like to hear more of my thoughts on building a career, check out my podcast “The Career Startup”
Till Next Week