(no subject)

[plonq]

In spite of a few changes and shake-ups around me, I've been doing essentially the same job since 1998.  I'm very good at what I do, which is why they have been content to leave me here.  I'm happy here.  It's safe here.

It finally came to somebody's attention that I'm sort of like that guy with the red Swingline stapler in the movie Office Space - to the extent that nobody is quite sure what it is that I do.  They're pretty sure that it's important stuff, and they hear lots of glowing things from happy customers, but they're not entirely sure what "it" is.  With a re-org and some cuts coming up, that's not a good position to be in.

Today I got a call from my boss's boss.  They have a new, fairly high-profile project coming up and the want to know if I'd like to be involved.  Although he didn't say it outright, I got the impression that they feel that I am being underutilized in my current role.  Not that I'm slacking, but that I'm too multi-talented to be sitting here writing reports.  Naturally I said yes, but... zounds!  This new project is way outside of my normal field of expertise.  It will probably involve some travel.  Lots of meetings with department heads.

If I can pull this off then it will look really good on my work record.  If I can't... well, that is not an option.

What if I can't?

Comments

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

No exploration ever covered the same ground they covered before. It's scary going outside your usual sphere of skills, yes. But you'll never get the new skills unless there's a need.

Look at the skills needed, give yourself one night to be panicky, then jump in with all four paws. I'm sure you'll be able to do whatever they need you to do.

[unciaa.livejournal.com]

You'll be fired, you and your entire close and extended family will starve to death, all the world's orphans will get AIDS and the moon will fall from the sky, destroying most of Australia and some of Japan.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

...

Except for that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

[unciaa.livejournal.com]

Disappointing, a dreadful lack of our American cousins.

[fetlock.livejournal.com]

For as long as i have Known you, I do not see why you would be scared of this ,you love the challenge,along with learning new things.

You will do great and may even surprise yourself in how well you do.

-Fetlock

[aeto.livejournal.com]

Around half a year ago, I took a (very lateral) promotion from IT geek to one of the research staff. There was a lot of risk in the change. There was a chance I wasn't going to be able to handle the research they threw at me.

Taking the position was one of the best things I have done in a long time.

The truth is, especially if you have worked somewhere for a long time, they know you. They at least think they have a good idea what you are capable of. Companies, by and in large, don't put people in positions they don't think they can handle. Do your best, work hard, especially for that first 6 months to a year when they are most closely watching, and things should go well.

And remember, the right amount of confidence is your friend. :>

[boinggoat.livejournal.com]

Is your old job still open? I could move...