Don't Sandwich the Bad News

This is a post with no message and no purpose.

I noticed that it's been three weeks since I last posted on this blog, it's definitely not for lack of thoughts; in fact, I've encountered so many new ideas in the past two weeks that I continue to be in the process of synthesizing them all. I need to make a systematic effort to write down my thoughts (yes, each and every theme that comes along) so that they don't get lost in the traffic of information in my head.

So, what's 'don't sandwich the bad news' all about? Nothing mind blowing. In the past year, I've read quite a few articles teaching people how to break the bad news or how to deliver negative feedback; I've also attended people management training sessions that gave me tips on how to do this. The common message was to sandwich the bad between two good tidbits. This may be sound in theory, but unless you're skilled at delivering the news, it'll just come across as insincere and scripted... at least to those who've already heard of the sandwich strategy.

My opinion on this matter is that whatever the nature of the news, be it good or bad, just give it to the person straight up... no room for miscommunication, no room for misunderstandings. If the recipient of the 'message' is unable to take (harsh) reality in stride, you've already done your best to get through, their ignorance is their problem.

Reflecting on my opinion, I seem to be fitting into the anti-social image that's been following me around the office of late. The funny thing is that (based on feedback) this anti-social image exists only within the so many walls of my office, it hasn't extended to the wider space that is my workplace (interactions with colleagues at other offices) nor to my other relationships. So what makes me so different at the office? Now, that's something new for me to ponder on.

The Blessing of Having a Choice

In the past months, some colleagues have been enlightening me on how they're stuck in a rut, having outgrown the challenges of their current job function, not being promoted fast enough or feeling that they aren't being competitively paid for what they're doing. Some of us have lived this victim story at one point or another in our lives.

To be under-compensated is a blessing. This was the original message of my post. This had been my realization as I observed people who couldn't find a matching job offer elsewhere.

In the process of writing this post, I realized that my mindset about career advancement was stuck on the traditional plane. It may come in the form of company affiliation, a bigger job title, a more comprehensive compensation package, or a combination of these. To think, I've been looking at 'choices' and 'empowerment' in a new light since August, and yet this realization did not come naturally for me. To put theory into action is a process. For a stubborn idealist to come from nothing in everything is virtually impossible (for now); what I am vying for is to become aware of my belief systems, to de-construct them, and create something new.  

It is easy to think about career in terms of the dollar value, job title or scope of influence; it is just as easy to come up with injustices that one's workplace foists on us. Some people remain with their current employers because they couldn't find a comparable title with a comparable compensation package, they are 'stuck' because for their own reasons, the job title and/or the compensation package is important to them. They are stuck in a vicious cycle of 'being stuck'. It will take the understanding that career choices do not exist in a vacuum (why do we think that the job title or the compensation package is important? perhaps a commitment to giving our children a good life? perhaps being used to our current lifestyle?) and that career advancement does not always have to be a progression of 'more of' or 'better of' the same to make a different choice.

I began with the selfish mindset that there was some form of exclusivity over who was blessed. Then I realized that opportunities outside the current work environment exist for everyone. Everyone is given the blessing of a choice. The question is: are we willing to actively make a choice? Or will we allow our lives to be run by the choices that we are not aware we are making?

I make my own choices and I am willing to stand up for them.

New Year's Resolutions

2011 is going to be the year I make my New Year's Resolutions happen!

I've never put much stock in New Year's Resolutions. Sure, I come up with a few every year, losing weight being the most common and unchanging theme in the past 15 years. I was only successful in one out of those 15 years. For me, New Year's Resolutions have always been more about wishful thinking than about taking action. Seriously. If I were resolute about making something happen, I don't have to wait until New Year's to commit to doing it and start making it happen, do I?

2011 won't be any different. It just so happens that the fun and enriching roller coaster ride of the year that was 2010 allowed me a glimpse of 'what I want' and 'who I am' every so often (Dazzle: thank you for getting me into my AW journey), and I was very lucky that my family & friends were so supportive of me. My continued discovery and consideration process bred more ideas about what I want to commit to. Today is as good a day as any to make a specific commitment and begin sticking to it.

January 1, 2011 marks the day I write down my New Year's Resolutions for the year. Armed with my 'core' and these resolutions, I shall remain focused as I embrace each experience 2011 brings.

2011 will be my best year yet, and I hope it will be for you as well.