Be the Key to Interdepartmental Success
Over the last couple of months, I’ve frequently been amused at how so many of the topics in this course are reflecting issues I’m addressing in my job. And this week’s topic is no different.
In my role I’m finding that I’m being relied on more and more as that “business partner” between the learning and development team and other departments. I’ve always had the ability to work well with a widely diverse set of peers, co-workers, SMEs, key contacts, etc. I’ve worked in big corporations, small start-ups, and been a government contractor for more than a decade. I’ve worked with the person in the next office, across the country, and on the other side of the globe. People with positions above me, below me, aside of me. I’ve seen things change from a pre-email world to online meetings where multiple people are editing the same document at the same time.
I guess that’s one of the benefits of being a more “mature” individual in the workplace. Over the years I’ve learned what battles to fight, how to fight them, how to identify problem situations before they cause serious issues (even if I can’t control how those problems are addressed), and when to keep my mouth shut (well, most of the time). I've learned to find ways to combine the needs of many into a solution that works for most. I’m the one who gets sent in to unruffle feathers and find middle ground – a peacekeeper of sorts. I can help different sides see the other's perspective.
My problem is that this now comes naturally to me. I don’t know specifically where or how I’ve learned these skills. I also have this ingrained expectation that everyone is like me – at least professionally. Yes, I am disappointed on a fairly regular basis.
I began my professional life as an admin for a small company that had dealings with big oil. I learned quickly that my ability to even just be polite to people made me popular with management and clients. Somewhere along the lines in my young life I’d learned to be organized (maybe it comes from the logic my philosophy-professor father tried to install in us…some order to things just makes sense). I created databases to help managers track their employees’ performance and give accurate bonuses. I tracked projects and got to learn how to layout the company newsletter. I’ve organized international customer conferences. I’ve been able to travel and work internationally. I get a lot of the cool assignments, I will admit. And, yes, I’ve had several roles where this has become an issue with my peers.
Organization is One of My Keys
Organization is one of the things that keeps me being successful in my projects. Scratch paper, post-it notes, calendars, reminders, lists, color coding, spreadsheets, texts/emails/voicemails to self… I have them all going at all times. One thing I know about my brain is that if I can write something down and get it out of my ongoing process, things can become more clear and congealed for me.
I once had a boss that told me that I asked “too many questions.” So, I reined that in. Then he was irritated that I didn’t include something in a document – how was I to know since I wasn’t supposed to ask too many questions? We had a discussion about how I’m not being nosey, just considering things that might impact how I put the rest of the project together. I told him he could tell me if something wasn’t my business, but otherwise I was trying to make him look good.
Ya Gotta Be Willing
Having an attitude of dismissing any assignment before I’ve really looked at it has never part of my modus operandi. It’s been a bumpy ride (whose isn’t?) but I’m really thrilled with where all of this has led me.
My openness to new assignments is what got me into Vyond animations this year. In fact, I’ve even gone from doing short clips to creating videos that are embedded into some of our eLearning courses, and when the department was approached about creating a new, recurring video series I was asked to head up the effort – creating something from scratch that’s going to go out to 500 employees and will be relied on to increase awareness of safety and work practices. Gotta say, it’s been pretty fun.
This is where the creation of design documents and storyboarding in this course has really encouraged me to take a look at how I do things and see where I can elevate my organization, planning, strategies, and tools. I’m feeling like this is something that I need to incorporate and refine for myself now, before I need it. I’ve always had a box-o-hats that I travel with and maybe it’s time to buy a bigger box to fit all of the skills I’m going to need to have with me.
Just this week I had a request from my manager to interact with some individuals at a higher level in the government. There was also discussion about my having a more visible presence in the physical office to help build some of these, and other, relationships. I see roles and responsibilities shifting and some priorities may be adjusted. That means I need to be ready to shift with the tide and be ready for whatever seas are ahead. (And hopefully there’s a real beach in there somewhere!)
What's Next
Who knows.
Seriously.
One thing I know is that I’m going to be using more design docs and storyboards in my eLearning work. In fact, at our face-to-face in the office this next Wednesday I’m going to present what I’m learning about storyboarding to the four other IDs I work with.
I’m really looking forward to doing more managing and creating of the video products we produce. I’m excited to see what other courses we can incorporate video clips into to make them more engaging. I’m looking forward to keeping the new recurring video series going – it’s so fun to link their messages with the projects and characters.
Keep learning. Keep reaching out. Keep building relationships.
Be the expert. Be available.
Strive. Every day.
References
fauxels. (n.d.). Women standing beside corkboard photo. https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-standing-beside-corkboard-3184296/.
Karpovich, V. (n.d.). Young lady typing on keyboard of laptop in living room photo. https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-lady-typing-on-keyboard-of-laptop-in-living-room-4050315/.
Morillo, C. (n.d.). Woman in black coat photo. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-coat-1181346/.