Captain’s Log
Star Date: 11.03.2022
I wasn’t always a captain, I used to be a manager in my last job. An associate manager of hunger relief in a non-profit.
Taking ownership of decisions and consequences was a daily value. I don’t usually make many mistakes, but once I didn’t place the produce order in time. Problem-solving is a skill I’ve acquired and it wasn’t a difficult problem to solve. We packaged comparable items that ended up lowering our cost. As long as it’s a one-off mistake and you learn from it, it’s merely a lesson.
Having backbone to disagree (and commit) is also a knack I’ve developed. I had to repeatedly argue and make a case to not have production on Saturdays to the director and head chef; it would save us money and give the staff a week-end day off, but required some moving around of production days. Eventually they saw it as a benefit and it was implemented.
I think one of the greatest attributes a person can possess is that of curiosity (and a willingness to learn). Stubbornness is a little existential death every time it is exhibited (not to be confused with boundaries) and is a slow destroyer of relationships. As a manager, I was always curious to learn more of what the staff needed or what would make the workplace a better place to work. I was also looking forward to learning on the job and helping others learn. I once spearheaded an affinity group so queer people could advocate for ourselves but also learn from each other’s experiences.
I suppose the larger scale (to bring broad responsibility) would be the most intimidating, because it’s been awhile since I’ve worked in a large company and it could be like navigating a maze, but like anything else, I’d be up for the challenge if I felt like the payoff would be worth it.