It’s always uplifting when something unexpected but nice happens.
I have just moved from leading one team in my organisation to heading up another team (you know: different people, different acronyms, same problems). Yesterday I had my ‘farewell’ lunch with my previous team and associated colleagues. I have only been working in this space for about a year so when they presented me with a lovely parting gift and a farewell card I was not really expecting it.
But some of the messages in the card almost brought a tear to my eye (and I am not an emotional person). People in my team thanking me for how much I have helped them to develop over the last year and the ‘wisdom’ I have shared with them. My successor (whom I am now mentoring) telling me that she doesn’t know how she can fill my very large shoes – hey I’m only a size 6.
I knew they respected me as a manager and appreciated (more than I did) the value I provided in helping them to do their jobs but I wasn’t expecting this level of accolade.
So this has realy kicked off my new gig on a fantastic note as I jump into the middle of my unsuspecting new team with a greater level of confidence. Poor guys, they won’t know what’s hit them!!
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Congratulations on a successful project. You just never really know how you can affect the lives of others. Good luck with the new team. Go get ‘em!
Way to go! Of course, it doesn’t help your attempts to insist to management that you’re merely decorative, but it’s still a fantastic end to that gig.