It’s as simple as putting the biscuit in the basket

(got a story for you guys)

I was running towards the bridge; I left home early, and gave myself enough time to get here; damn trains HAD to break down today…

I made the call – “Hi… sorry, I am running a touch late. I’ll be there in like 15 minutes”.

I got to where I thought the office was…. I didn’t know my bearings – the last thing I needed was to search for where I needed to be right now. DAMNIT!

20 minutes later than advertised, I arrived for my interview. Great start to a Monday, ha? A lady walks into the conference room – her name is J; she doesn’t look pleased. Yikes! We begin talking casually at first, and then about the role. An hour later, it sounds like all is going  ok. Just when I think it’s over, and time for me to leave, she decides that one of the Directors should speak to me….

Ok… I wasn’t prepared for THAT!

A, the director walks in to the conference room.

The next hour can only be described as a Gestapo-esq grilling. I had attended interviews with the big 4, and many blue chip companies, and I don’t think I have ever faced an interview like this. When I walked out about two and a half hours later, I felt physically drained… an interview has NEVER been this hard.

My next stop was to the five-a-side pitches; I was playing a match for my current employers, and was the shot stopper. GREAT – I have to take more blows to the body. Turns out, the opposition had so many shot that I had to lie down for fifteen minutes in the changing rooms before I headed to work.

So, when I checked my phone on my way back and saw a missed call from the place where I just interviewed, my legs almost went. Could they have written me off already? How can they make a decision within a couple of hours? I decided to wait. When I called later that afternoon, I was quite surprised that they wanted to meet me again; I arranged that to happen later that week.

When I walked into the offices for a second time that week, I decided to sit exactly opposite to where I did earlier in the week. J walked in again and we had a brief conversation, before she wanted me to meet another director P. P was a fascinating character, and we spent an hour talking about everything except work or the role; in fact, we spoke about cricket, rugby, finance, religion, travel, food, and university life. P’s exit was followed by A’s entrance. Not again, I thought to myself.

Guess what… another grilling.

Only – it lasted 15 minutes this time. And then she said the magical words – “it’s all yours if you are interested”.

Now – I was delighted, sure… but I was damn intrigued… after how Monday went, what happened? Why did they poke me from every angle to make a decision? I did ask these questions a few months into the job (which is my current job), and J told me that sure I had made a bad start, but I interviewed ok with her; but I really won it with A and P. My conversations with both of them turned things around. I didn’t have enough experience for the role, but I had certain attributes which were strong enough, and they wanted to give me a chance.

You have no idea how this can spur anyone to perform even better – trust me!

6 months into the job, P pulled me to a side one day and asked me if I wanted a challenge… I am quite naive… I don’t know the word no. He threw me an opportunity which has resulted in where I am now. The next opportunity thrown by P was to help in the preparation for a multi-million pound contract (which we won), and that experience was amazing, and the hard work was so satisfying. P put me forward to lead our regional offices if that project goes ahead, P recommended my promotions (3 in 2 years), P threw me two other challenges to resolve and bring 2 major clients back on track, and perform my life out I did. What he has thrown at me, I have so far hit it out of the park.

P recommended me for the Zurich project; my toughest challenge yet. I know one thing clearly – I have the greatest of respect for A and P, and I know from the time spent with them in Zurich that they trust my ability and decisions; one couldn’t ask for more from your peers, but also from your bosses – it is the catalyst for you to perform.

On Friday, I was in the same conference room where my interview took place over 2 years ago, and I was discussing the Zurich project with another colleague; P walked in to ask a couple of questions, and I always try to humour him – that’s how well our relationship stands. He then uncharacteristically took a seat. P is a guy always on a move. He doesn’t sit in meetings… he is always hoping and jumping about. He then told us something which left us stunned.

I wrote about how I felt when one of my career mentors was made redundant last week; words cannot describe how I felt when he told us that he is the second out of two people being made redundant. The three of us sat there in silence for a couple of moments before someone said something (I cant remember who said what – I was still in shock).

We work in a corporate environment, and no person is bigger the company – director or otherwise, but to me this person is a mentor too. This is a person who has helped chalk a vague but solid line towards a career which can go upwards. This is a guy who gave me opportunities, and called my name when we faced a challenging client. This is the first guy who patted my back when I successfully completed my first challenge, and he is the guy who screamed at me when I didn’t have my priorities ordered correctly.

I think I now understand why I get along so easily with anyone older than me – I look to learn from them. P was a teacher without standing up to the board; he was a role model.

This week has now dealt me with an 0-2… and it is just too much for one week… just too much.

Such is life…. again.