Whenever I get to talk with someone I haven’t talked to for a while, after the catching up on what’s new in each other’s life, the conversation invariably turns to reminiscing about old times. This is especially true in regard to former coworkers. After working in the same place for the last 24 years, I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of different people. Sometimes, we worked together for many years. In a few cases, people were merely passing through. Most of my work relationships have been very positive. With a few people I have developed a lifelong friendship. Of course, there are always people that you either don’t get along with, or simply have nothing in common with.
In my career as an electronic technician, I believe I have seen the good times and the bad times, as well as everything in between. Early on in my career I was young and eager about everything in life. Some might have called me headstrong. A lot of us technicians at the time, were young and ambitious. I do not remember any problems among us until our manager retired. Apparently, he provided more stability than anyone realized. Unfortunately, it took a long time for anyone permanent to be hired in his place; we had many people temporarily filling in. With so much instability in management, conflicts arose between people.
When we finally got a permanent manager, things for me didn’t get any better. I guess that in an effort of this new manager trying to bring order to the unit, he invariably made things worse. Technicians turned on each other even more, and it appeared that my professional record was going to be tarnished with some hearsay. With the union on my side, upper management was able to sort through the information and hearsay, and my name, record, and reputation were cleared.
We eventually got a manager who knew how to handle a group of young and ambitious technicians. He provided the infrastructure we needed to work together, and a coordinator who pretty much demanded it. Ironically, the technicians who did not work well with others finally moved on to other jobs. It took some time, but we became a very professional and organized group of technicians. We became the cream that rose to the top of the milk. The managers of the other units of technicians watched with envy as we accomplished more than anyone ever dreamed was possible. That trend lasted for years due to the excellent leadership we had and the careful selection of technicians who would fit seamlessly into our group.
But as with all things, nothing lasts forever. The group that had been together riding the glory train, little by little began to dissolve. For various reasons, people need to move on. Some retire, some take promotions, some even just quit their job and walk away. For a while, those who were left picked up the slack left by the holes in the unit; there were times when we were very short handed. We eventually got back to a full crew, but the strain had taken its toll. We had lost our manager and had to endure more temporary managers for a while. Our momentum had waned to just meeting the bar instead of constantly raising the bar.
We have a full shop of good technicians now (and a permanent manager), but the glory days are behind us. We are still a more cohesive and productive unit than any of the others but our momentum has greatly diminished. Life at work these days is actually kind of boring.
Sometimes, when I am talking to people who were part of our unit during those incredible years, they express that they miss those days. I have to say that I miss those days, too. But eventually, everything changes; nothing stays the same. I recently reminded someone of that. What we had here was a special place in space and time; it is gone now. For those who have moved onto other jobs, there will come a time and place for them to create that kind of momentum where they currently are. The experience that they had while part of such an amazing group of people should shine a light on their strengths while diminishing their weaknesses.
As for myself, all these experiences have shown me that I have the choice of building momentum in something that I am passionate about, and in doing so, shine my light for others to be encouraged. It’s my choice to be part of something important, something worthwhile. Whatever it is that I choose, it must bring me joy or it’s not worth being a part of. Someday, I will get to build momentum as a grandmother. I look forward to that.
Job 4:3-4 In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.
