Excited

*Toot toot*
"Hello, sharon speaking"
"Sharon ah,"
"Yes ma'am?" I jokingly answered.
"Can come to my room?"
"Sure," Now I wonder what she wanna talk to me about. She sounded happy on the phone.

I knocked on the door that's been left open. Boss looked up and gave me a welcome smile.

"Sharon, you still remember the email I sent u last week?"
Email? I jogged my memory furiously.
"Mmm...... the one about helping boss lighten her load?" I replied pensively.
"No, not that one. The other one..."
"OH. the one about being more involved in the business and running of the company?"
Bingo.
"I was just thinking, what's your opinion towards this matter?"

I paused and composed my thoughts for a while. I finally decided to take the 'be truthful and honest, yet open to suggestions' approach.

"Ok, first I'd like to understand what does 'being more involved in the business' entails? So I can have a rough idea of the challenges ahead and what the company expects from me."

Boss then explained the story from the beginning. When they were scouting for the next person to fill in the Marketing Exec position, they'd had something more in mind. In fact, they had planned for a Management person, instead of a pure Marketing person. In other words, the right candidate has to have other qualities and potential, other than being artistic and creative enough to fulfil basic marketing duties. That's why the 7-month gap spent on "shopping" around in the marketplace....

"I just want to know how comfortable you are with moving on to other aspects of the company. We're doing resource planning right now, and I'd like to bring you further."

My heart skipped a beat at the opportunities ahead.

"But I have to warn you first - if you decide to say yes, we'll start moving very quickly next year onwards and it'll be a very, very tough challenge ahead," she continued.

My brain was working, as I tried to keep my pulse steady. Can't get too excited.... 'Always know what you're getting into, woman!!!' Rationality screamed.

"What's expected of me if I should accept the challenge? What do I have to do?"

"You'll be required to attend each and every meeting, big n small. Even those that you've no direct business of. The path to a managerial position is such that you know all workings of the company, which'll be an advantage when you handle sensitive issues like people issues. But then, this is also the job of a manager - to manage people."

How true. Smart people delegate, and to make a delegated task work well, I'll need the fullest support of my team. Not to forget getting their respect.

"Give it some thought. You and (another colleague) are the only two I've extended this invitation to. It's a gamble on my part, cos' after all u've only been with the company for a very short while."

"Yes I understand. I'll give it some thought, and consult Mas's opinion too. I've to make sure everything's ready for handover, otherwise it's gonna be very unproductive."

I went out of her room with Brain working at light speed. Tried to get back to where I left off but my PC screen's just a lighted blur. I'm game for the challenge, but I need to calm down and know what the consequences are if I accept it. Once the decision's made, I cannot turn back. It's my career, for goodness sake!

My fave mentor/friend/manager was on leave. Hence decided to speak to our HR manager instead. She is another woman that I highly respect in the company. To my surprise, she actually knew about it. "Soon told me about it. So how do you feel?" Told her everything that's on my mind, and why I need time to consider.

"It ain't about me. I won't wanna take up a position I've no know-how in, or something I don't know what's expected of me. Cos if I go out and meet customers, I represent A**os**n. I don't wanna tarnish the company's image and name by anyhow selling things or closing partnership deals!" I replied with an exasperated and confused look.

Reb. She's been through what I'm going through now, and she agreed with what I said about matching the position with the strengths and character of the individual. Had a good 20min chat with her, and I am impressed by her knack for sniffing out potential markets and opportunities. Well, I'd just have a chat with mas on Wed when we're both back from our leave. See what my good friend/mentor's take is on this matter.. Meanwhile, get some much-needed zzz and consult my buddy tomorrow. Till next time~