Sunday was my first official day as a lead. Lucky for me, the other seasoned lead called in sick that day, so I was on my own. To add to the fun, we were short about three people which translates to OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GOING TO DO??
I quickly learned how to get my butt in gear, 'cause passengers weren't going to wait for me to stare blankly into outer space. Despite the physical and mental stress, I absolutely loved doing the work. The energy was intense, my minimal team worked their butts off, and we managed to get what needed to be done when it needed to be done. I was extremely proud of how we all worked that day and when we were finished I shook each of their hands and thanked them for a job well done.
The other thing I learned is that being a lead is extremely physically taxing. Monday wasn't such a balls-to-the walls day which was good, because I was aching from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet from the previous day. I was never more ready for a couple of days off, which I have enjoyed today and will tomorrow.
I'm quite surprised at how much I enjoy working with the traveling public. Once, while I was working at the walk through metal detector, a young man looked at me kinda funny and said, "This may sound really weird, but I've never seen someone so happy with their job."
Now, I don't walk around with a stupid grin on my face, in fact I have to remind myself to quit focusing so hard because when I do I look pissed off. But I am happy to admit that I love my job, I love everything about it. I enjoy bantering with the passengers and giving them a smile during a time when they are very stressed out and ready to scream because we took their toothpaste away.
It's the perfect place to drum up casual conversation, an act that used to be incredibly painful for me to do. When I was younger I was a wall flower at the church dances, terrified of talking to anyone. Small talk was painful, and I never initiated anything with anyone. I was painfully shy. I surprise myself now at the ease in which I relate to others and the joy it brings to me. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. I enjoy working with the public.
So all in all, I can honestly say that I love my job and enjoy going to work every single day. I'm proud of how far I've come in the past year and a half, and I'm excited to see how much more I can grow both personally and professionally. I work with a great group of people, on the team I am leading and on the team I work with up the ladder.
"I never apologize. I'm sorry, but that's just the way I am." ~Homer Simpson
2 comments:
Hey! I love it that you shook their hands and told them they did a good job. We never get recognition here for doing our job the way we are supposed to (and a lot of peeps don't) or for going above and beyond or for working my butt off during a night where the whole town and their bird and their dog came to the ER. My boss is better than most I have had, she just doesn't recognize unless she has to and I applaud you for that. Guarantee the people under you will want to show up for work always if they know their work is appreciated. I still do show up but it is frustrating to not be recognized even for the mundane stuff because most of the techs don't do what they are supposed to or at least do the bare minimum. I am very impressed and in ahh of you and am so glad you did that. That is cool stuff, Kim. Cool stuff indeed! Keep up the good work! Love, Miss
Thank you for enjoying your job! It really does make life as a passenger easier. When we flew to CA recently (w/ 2 kids) we had to deal with people on both ends--those who loved their jobs and those who did not (and you can often tell)--and I can tell you that it does make a difference and it doesn't go unnoticed! So thank you!
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