I am still trying to figure out my role, coaching? supporting? advisor? or all of above. What I know is that I have a lot of meetings with different teams, to learn about their work, to figure out how I can help/support them, and maybe make them like me? the last one is human nature but debatable at work space.
Last week I had lunch with different people everyday, this week Monday and Tuesday, I had no lunch because I had no break between meetings. Even worse, I had no snack with me, I couldn’t order food in, and there’s no store/vending machine in our office building. Result? by the time I left the office building 6:30pm I was HANGRY!!! My previous meal was 8am.
I’ll have to change a few things:
- stoke up some snacks
- schedule meetings with breaks, at least 30-45 min break
- spread out meetings so I have at least 2 hrs per day where I can read/think/plan instead of rushing from meetings to meetings.
- turn some meetings into lunch meetings
My first “difficult” task was to enforce the 4 days a week in office work to the assistants. They currently come to office 4 times a week but only half days. This is not acceptable given the new rules and don’t know how they got there. After consulting with the assistants’ head, I’ve informed assistants in my group about the change. I know it won’t make me popular nor liked but it is what it is.
One boss, a very wise man, when I shared this with him, he said: you are establishing yourself now, better to be strict now and relax a bit later than the reverse. Very true!
On a good note, I’m getting professional coaching! I have no idea what it is, but sounds interesting no? Have you had coaching?
Final good note, we won’t be sleeping on the floor as I bought girls’ mattresses and the store is lending us one for me and husband to use until our shipment arrives.
Okay, time to run and tackle another day! 🙂
Our New Journey 
Gosh it’s hard to start off by being “the bad guy” and changing the office requirements but you are just the person carrying out the rules that were established by those above you. I hope they come to accept it! I would not like working a half day in the office. It would really disrupt my schedule. I know of people who start work at home, go into the office for 3-4 hours, and then go back home to work and it does not sound great at all to me!
It’s tricky to balance eating when you have so many meetings! I have ran into that issue and have tried to block off time on my calendar to eat because otherwise I will get hangry!!
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You’re so busy! So much to adjust to! Good luck, Coco!
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Great advice from that boss! If you’re introducing unpopular new rules, do it quickly and right at the start. Sure, there’ll be some grumbling at first, but before long, it’ll just be the new normal.
My boss always had mentors, and it worked out really well for her. I’m curious to see how coaching will benefit you!
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Wow, that is a long day without eating! It’s always stressful to start a new job, but things will calm down and you’ll get into a regular routine. And, I’m glad you’re not sleeping on the floor!
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