Surviving, adjusting, adapting and thriving in a new world

Corporate world, that is.

I have been out of the corporate world since May this year. While I have been busy with personal business and family matters (and Steemit!), I certainly enjoyed the me-time without the worry of alarm clock in the morning. That was until the first week of November. And while I thought of writing about my first week at work, the work itself took the time to write, and I wished writing on the second week, then on the third, and... Hey, I already completed my first month at work! Let's see a quick summary...

_{My view during a lunch break. Those buildings are not where our office is, though.}

Surviving

I mentioned about not worrying for alarm clock while enjoying my me-time. I have also forgotten about my body clock as I used to go to bed very late. There were even times when I stayed awake until the morning at almost five o'clock. The sun was about to show up. When I was about to start at work, too bad I did not have enough sleep on my first day. Then the second, then the third, then... you know what happened next. That has been the trend for the first week.

What kept me floating is the fact that the place is not new to me. I was excited to be back as I used to work within this area more than four years ago. It was with the job which I locked myself inside my office and literally sobbed after I filed my resignation and the boss of my boss called me directly from South Carolina. He was presenting a counter-offer to make me stay. That was one of the two best companies I worked with. Empowerment and support were surrounding me that really made me grow. However I sobbed, I bit the bullet and left for what I thought was a better opportunity. I thought it was indeed better. It made me learn more than I thought.

That is enough for the throwback. Truth to be told, what really kept me floating was the caffeine.

_{From our famous QSR. I'm a Jollibee kid! 😊}

Adjusting

Second week. The caffeine was still badly needed. I thought I needed a gallon every day.

As I try to blend with my new environment, my notes were getting longer and longer with what I think that I need to present to my bosses.

Our COO shared his concerns with the current operation. The CEO did the same while working with us remotely from overseas. On the other hand, my team was opening up with their concerns too. Cool. Both sides, up and down, were speaking up. I loved it. That made me feel that people are more comfortable talking now, much so with my team members. Few of them were actually checking my LinkedIn profile. One of them added me to her network.

When I got the chance to have casual conversation with them, I teased.

"Folks, if you have any question, I am here. You can ask me directly so there is no need to search for my online profile."

They laughed. That paved the way to their questions about pieces of advice regarding career advancement. That's another "I loved it"!

Adapting

Third week. Our CEO arrived for a week stay. Finally, I met my final interviewer in person. It was the moment of truth, I will be facing my two bosses in person. The COO set the meeting invitation with the subject as "Service Delivery". Oh, isn't that mine? It was. I was asked about my plans for my team and our operations. I lined up what I had on my notes. I thought it was a good thing for the three of us that I cleaned up a bit of my list before the meeting. I marked those that I think can wait for a next meeting so I don't exhaust this first one.

_{Holiday is just around the corner; worth a triple celebration.}

As I presented what I thought that we need to improve on, challenge questions were expected. I needed to have business cases as backing data otherwise my words may not have impact at all. What is great about the meeting was that both of my bosses were open to suggestions and even challenges. The meeting turned out to include HR and Admin as we planned about creation of new and updating of existing policies.

Finally, it was my time to pause. They asked what else do I have and I said, "That's all for now."

The COO replied, "That's a lot already."

I can't help smiling. "Oh, I overwhelmed you already? Yes, the others can wait."

When we walked out of that meeting was when I realized that I may never fully adapt to what they had because this time they accepted some changes that I presented. That tells me they are also adaptable.

On the other hand, I certainly have my share to adapt into many things that the organization has established. Just one simple example is the English communication in the office. This is for the reason that our clients are mainly in other countries thus the policy is enhancing better understanding.

_{This was just along the way on my way out to lunch one time. There is beauty in diversity.}

Thriving

Fourth week. I got sick! Blame it on the rain. No, I'm kidding. At the end of the third week, I went home to the province and did not expect the temperature in the area to drop to 12.2°C when I came from Manila with temperature range of 26°C - 30°C (sometimes higher). I guess my body was not ready for the sudden change. I came back to Manila sick on Sunday night. I had to beg for a day off in the week.

In spite of the one day absence, the week was still a very productive one. While juggling my self-training to learn more about the organization and the system while running the operations, our CEO asked me last week to come up with a plan in on-boarding our newly won client in Singapore. He did not give a deadline but I did not want to end this week without submitting at least a draft plan so I had to stretch out further and sent my plan on Friday night.

Looking back at the month that passed, I can say that days have been challenging at the same time very exciting as I learned more while imparting more. I know there will be more challenges but that is what make things more exciting to look back later on and see how I have gone so far. I am thriving!

Cheers to more opportunities and excitement!

_{I was not paying much attention to the time as I was busy posting my Steemhunt through my phone while on the way home at night but this scene along the road stole my attention. I immediately snapped a photo and later checked its time stamp as 23:12. That was approaching midnight so I wondered what's playing on screen of the vegetable vendor. It seemed amusing.}

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