Stand Tall

Where I work there aren’t a lot of women and we end up isolated from each other. the result is that we don’t get to share our experiences with each other. So we could each being going through the same situation but not know this because we don’t talk about what is going on with ourselves. This is one of the reasons that I started this blog. My goal continues to be sharing my experience for others to say “hey, that is also happening to me” or to prepare others for that event happening to them in the future.

This past month I have been in the process of moving to a new job. This means that between last month and this one, there has been a ton of transition in my life. My last job was pretty cool, but my next job is probably a little cooler on the cool scale.

I had many folks including men and women congratulate me on getting my job. However, in the span of about 3 weeks, I had no less than 6 different men question me about my job. The questions all had a slant to them. A couple examples are “How did YOU get that job” or “Who got you that job.” There was something about the tone they used or the way that the questions were asked that made me take pause. Those questions didn’t seem to be coming from a supportive and encouraging place. I answered each of their questions with an uncomfortable chuckle, shrug my shoulders, and say, “I don’t know.”

When the first person asked me I was surprised and I didn’t think much of it. But then a second guy asked me and I started to get annoyed. By the time that the third guy asked, I was seriously questioning how did I get my job. I started doubting myself and wondering if there was really someone helping me that I didn’t know.

Now I wanted to know. So, during a day of training, I asked the person that I am replacing to explain the hiring process. Turns out that there was no magic puppeteer or special person looking out for me. As the process was explained to me, it was my record and my interview. It was also about being in the right time at the right place when this opportunity came available.

There is so much that I could say about this experience. I’m disappointed in how quickly I doubted myself. I’m disappointed in how quickly I allowed my thoughts to be overtaken with negativity. I’m disappointed in myself for allowing these questions to dominate my thoughts versus all the positive comments.

I’m mad at myself for not having a better response. I wasn’t fast enough on my feet to respond with something like “hard work, prayers, and belief” or even “sustained track record of success”. I’m still learning and growing. I’ll be better prepared in the future.

But the takeaway I want for others and myself is to Stand Tall when you are presented an opportunity. Go into that job with your head held high. Having a healthy amount of self reflection is necessary, but not so much that you to begin to hang your head low and doubt yourself. Say YES and Don’t allow others to try and knock you down.

#TogetherSoaring