fuchsia fragments

You know how you are sometimes asked the question if you could go back in time (e.g., to Uni or school or even just to make other decisions), would you be doing the same thing?

I've always thought (and have answered this question) as "no". As in, I think I would be doing something else...

Putting dreams and achievable (or harder to achieve) goals aside, I think I can safely say today that I would not want to be doing anything else profession-wise. Because I would miss working with numbers and being analytical too much. I kind of do now but that's a whole 'nother story...

I can safely say that I was pretty unappreciative of the opportunities and work I was given in my last company. I don't really need to go into all the details but pretty much until Mr I-give-him-so-many-referrals-but-the-favour-isn't-returned came along, it was a pretty dark place. I didn't have a good mentor (in the three that came and went) and the work I was doing wasn't quite enough for my development. Opportunities were lacking to say the least.

And then, it kind of shifted gears and went up a notch. And probably another one because I wanted to learn and asking for more work. And if it wasn't for those last 15 months including the 3 at the very end running Finance by myself that my professional development exploded. So much so that I was taking on so much, it gave him too much free time. But these things don't happen overnight. And the guidance and the mentoring and the help - professionally and personally - over this time has really defined where I am today.

Why am I saying this?

I had a coffee catch-up with Nick this morning. And I was talking about some of the stuff happening at work. And he was telling me about his. And how there's no one left that we would know at said company. That's really bad considering it has only been about 15 months since I left.

Basically, I was comparing myself now to who I was back then and how I now let things slide (a lot of things...) when 2 or 3 years ago I would have gone down kicking and screaming. How I now play the ball, not the person. How to kill them with kindness. I wouldn't have this self-restraint had I not worked with a bunch of wolves before. Trust nobody but yourself.

I think he's doing a bit of the same. A little bit of soul searching... sending those feelers out there... looking for the next step. I'm hearing that a lot these days. People are tired, wanting to move on and the perfect opportunity to look and do so with the new year is just around the corner. I think 2015 will be one of many changes.

Second reason this has come up in my mind. Chris texted me today. I sound surprised. I am surprised. Second week into the new job as an AA and I got the feeling he was desperate and in need of a LOT of help. Working late hours already. He asked me about payroll tax and some journals. I actually responded by saying that his manager should be able to help. He said that his manager didn't know.

And it became clear to me that he doesn't have the right mentor in place to help him in his professional development. And that is a problem. Because you can only be as good as how you've been taught. You help yourself by asking the right questions. But if those questions go by unanswered, or answered incorrectly, then what are you learning? He was asking pretty basic stuff. (And personally, that is why I will never work for a small company again. This is another topic altogether).

And it also makes me wonder, how can there be people out there who are Finance Managers and Financial Controllers who don't know the basics of running a finance department? In the very least, you need to be able to provide guidance on how to achieve something. Self-help is great but as the leader, you should be pointing them in the right direction and steering them back on course when they aren't!!! And hold their hand if they need it (but only briefly)! Because I definitely did not learn everything in one go. Sometimes not even in two or three... Hashing things out is also part of the experience. Who wants to be told how to do EVERYTHING without coming up with a more efficient process or doing something when they disagree with the thought process?

I'm still learning, everyday. And I'd like to think by now, I can see through the BS and be able to decide for myself who I can learn from, who would be a good mentor and where I need more development. I had lunch with two ladies today - both in completely different departments - one in Business Ops and one in Partner Consulting. Both excellent candidates for new mentors, and they extended the invitation to me to ask them anything, anytime. They have more than 30 years experience at my company between them. Something that is invaluable and something I should be using to my advantage. No one is going to care about your career except yourself. You can't wait for opportunities to be presented to you. If the right one comes by, speak up and put your hand up. Because no one else will do it for you.