I started a new job October 1st, which is my eighth position since 2020.
I have experienced many different work environments. You can imagine I was trepidatious before I met my new team.
Would they be the kind that hoard information? My field—Information Technology—has a stock character of the tech who hoards his knowledge. This guy has to keep information to himself and not share it with anybody. Seems like he is sure that his job depends on being the only one with the code or the password.
I worked with this guy once. He was so sure he had to be the only one with the codes, even for the systems I was responsible for that he changed the codes on my systems when I wasn’t looking.
I’ve had the manager who didn’t want me there, because her boss hired me to document the processes so we could be more predictable and efficient.
Write down her secret knowledge? I recall her long fingernails drumming on the meeting table as I talked with the team to get the details lined up.
THRUMRUMRumrum
THRUMRUMRumrum
After months of redirections and misinformation, I created a 200-item flow of information. I was fired that afternoon.
Top performers want to hire top performers. Mid performers want to hire people who won’t make them look bad. I have been underestimated so many times by managers who think I will be mid. It confused me my sensible solutions were received with delight by my teammates. Then time would pass and the manager fired me.
I learned not to fear getting knocked down. It hurts, but I do better getting back up as quick as I can.
The office I’m in now is a city job. They are long termers and very used to each other. They even seem to like each other. I’m feeling good about it.
But they warned me: the holidays are coming and the potlucks are epic.
They are looking forward to what I will bring.