Today, I said goodbye. It was a cheerful farewell to someone I guided this summer towards a new job. He will soon start in a new position that suits him perfectly. With that, his coaching journey is complete and successful.
We looked back together at how he had started new jobs in the past. To learn from it. And to avoid old pitfalls.
In previous jobs, it had been difficult to deal with pressure and expectations. His own expectations even more than those of the people around him. It caused insecurity, making him no longer function optimally.
Eventually, he left his employer.
The period without work really triggered his insecurity. He quickly stepped into the next job.
Not a good choice — and a role that didn’t suit him.
That’s how he crossed my path. Or maybe I crossed his.
There are many millennials in similar situations. Not to say this only happens to them, of course.
Today we looked ahead to his new job. And we came up with three things that are needed to be healthy and effective in a demanding environment.
Check your assumptions
Our brain is programmed to remember negative experiences better and longer than everyday or positive events. This can make us see our own performance in a much more negative light than the people around us do.
Find guidance and support
Many organizations have a buddy or mentor system. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to make sure you also create your own support network. Think of colleagues and your relationship with your manager. But also at the level above your manager, or even outside your own organization, you can look for a mentor. This way, there’s always someone who can reflect with you from a neutral perspective. For example, by meeting for lunch once a month.
Keep yourself sharp
Working on your own development is always a good idea. You gain new knowledge and skills. But something else happens too.
By taking action and working on a topic that feels important and challenging to you, you also increase your sense of control or grip on the situation. It works both ways: you build your skills, and it becomes easier to deal with uncertainty.
