You can achieve a lot in a year, learn a language or two, travel the world or take a leap of faith and start a new job. I started Spanish classes two years ago, so that doesn’t count but 12 months ago I did say “I do” to Clarasys and haven’t looked back.
Jazz musician Miles Davis said “Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing” and he’s so right musically and metaphorically. In my time at Clarasys I’ve experienced a lot of joy, challenges and learnings. I couldn’t possibly detail them all but I want to take the opportunity to share my top 3 with you.
- Go with your gut: If you feel you’ve taken what you can from your current place of work – especially when you’re still feeling good about everything you’ve achieved – be open to new opportunities and take on that fresh challenge. Change is healthy and can offer you a different perspective – Clarasys has given me this.
- “MVP” is everything: Prior to my current role, I’d believed only a picture-perfect, final version of anything I was working on would be acceptable to my colleagues and most certainly the client. The notion that you can present a minimal viable product (MVP) or iterative version of a plan, communication or product was alien to me. After a year here, it’s the only way I can imagine developing anything with true success. Understanding that as long as you have your concept in a good place, you should engage your stakeholders as early as possible, otherwise you may have wasted your time on something which was never right in the first place.
- Trust in your employees from the outset: I believe now more than ever that organisations who trust their employees from the word ‘go’ allow them to flourish exponentially. Working in an environment where we all believe in each other to get the job done – rather than micro-managing each other – transforms the way I have been able to work. I’ve learnt I am more creative, more curious and more willing to share my ideas in this environment. That trust comes in many forms such as offering employees the opportunity to work from home, the coffee shop, empowering them in internal roles and engaging them in the management of the business. I’ve also learnt to place more trust in others rather than trying to solutionize on their behalf – something I have been guilty of in the past.
So, that’s year one done and dusted. I’ll be sure to let you know how the year ahead progresses.
If you’re keen to hear more about what it’s like to work here, feel free to get in touch.