The Picture On My Desk
People often wonder why I have a picture of myself and Calvin on my desk at work. In point of fact it’s been on my desk ever since I had a desk at work that I could call my own, going back to the provincial election, and there’s a very good reason for it. It serves an important purpose, a constant reminder.
The picture is from the year I worked in our headquarters. It was the first year that I had any real authority or access in the organization. It was the first time that I was in a position to fight the fights that needed fighting, to stand up for what I believed in, and to make a difference for the entire department.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like things weren’t already great. It was an awesome job, a great bunch of people following common goals with strong procedures but there was room for improvement. Which brings us to the other half of the picture, Calvin.
In the years leading up to my post in HQ we would often have long chats about work. There was the usual stuff like what it was like working with an NBA cheerleader and the girl that had a crush on him but we also covered more substantive ground like what we would do if we were supervisors. Policies and procedures we would change, things we’d try, and most importantly how we would only make changes that benefited everyone and always keep the new guy in mind.
We wanted to contribute as much as we could, participate in and defend the traditions but make improvements for the future. How to make the family closer and the work easier and more productive.
When I was promoted to HQ, and later a supervisor Carrie, a supervisor I had a HUGE crush on, had the same reaction “What took them so long and thank god“. She even said that when I became Assistant Manager over her. I think she said that because she knew my focus was making things better for everyone.
In short if I’m not staying true to the ideals of those guys in the picture and fighting to maintain or improve the same opportunities I was given then I’ve strayed from the path.
