Forum

Today I got to go to a forum that was an interdepartmental forum. I went to one sponsored by this group 2 years ago and it was terrible. But this time, different topics were made available and I thought I'd give it another try. I was pleasantly surprised and I thought it was great! I really got a chance to network, meet some new folks and learn lots. I even bumped into some old pals from previous workplaces. So lots of good chats!

Keynote speaker was good...though, I thought I was going to guffaw loudly at one point. I didn't have a problem with what she said, but my one co-worker hates all my Oprah crap...including Oprah's Life Classes. I thought my co-worker was going to vomit after hearing that and I had a good laugh at their expense. But the keynote really did make some good points and I did agree with all that she said.

I attended 2 workshops and I thought they were great! One was called CEO of Your Career. She was an entertaining speaker. And she made some good points. I was paired up with someone awesome. And we really pow-wowed through our activity. The second workshop I went to was an HR panel. I even got to ask a question...and all other questions were questions I would have wanted to ask too. Lots of detail and concrete examples. YES!

Then it was time for our Cafe Discussions. Basically...every table had a Manager from a Department that would speak on certain topics. Some were about soft skills, some were about career advancement, some were about Personal Learning Plans...basically everything related to career. All 4 that I had were really enlightened Managers, spoke the truth and had great information. I got a chance to ask many questions from each of them. Each one of these managers made some excellent points that I totally abide by at the workplace. And to me, this was really refreshing as I know that my ideas are not always widely shared with other employees at the workplace. It's ok that we have different opinions about these ideas. I agree to disagree.

So, lots of good tidbits from all the speakers and managers including:

* if you're wanting a pat on the back, maybe you shouldn't be looking at the public service. While working at the public service, you need to understand that joy and self satisfaction from your job are more important than someone giving you kudos. - AMEN! Don't get me wrong, I feel that I do get kudos because I do work hard. But when I do a project well, I do not expect a kudos at all. It's my job. I actually like it. And I really do derive satisfaction from it. I don't need a manager telling me that I did great...yeesh...they've got enough to deal with. I know this is rough for some people to hear...but it's the truth.

* it's a workplace. If a friendship develops, great. But first and foremost, it's a workplace. Get the work done. * don't go complaining to a manager...over and over and over again about the same thing. Go to the manager with the issue and some type of solution or some way of mitigating those types of conflicts. Nothing irks a manager more than you going into the office to complain about someone else with no solution. I'm not saying that people's complaints aren't valid...but you can't keep going on and on and on over the same complaints but have nothing to add to the solution. Managers want to hear the issues so that they can correct problems...but please, let's be constructive about it. I kept hearing this over and over again.

* know the style of the person you're dealing with. And if you don't know, learn. Yeah...some folks don't switch up their style to work with others and it's a real shame. It just makes it so much easier to work with others if you can switch it up.

* have a good attitude. (Hallelujah!!!) Nothing sucks the energy of other people in the workplace more than a bad attitude. Yes, I agree that there's probably a story behind attitudes. But it goes back to the point of the workplace being a workplace. Debbie Downers are no fun. They are the only ones that can change their attitude. And yes, sometimes the attitude comes because of all the turmoil in the workplace. It's ok to be mad. It's ok to be downright pissed. But work through those issues and move on. Why continue with the attitude to hurt your own health and be the vortex of darkness around the office?

So lots learned. Glad I took the time to go. Hoping to meet up with some of the folks I met today at the next forum!