I have been a part of the professional world for almost 3 years now. Though I want to say it is a big bad world full of wolves waiting in packs to hunt down freshers and make their lives unbearable, I am forced to negate that belief solely based on my experiences of working life!
I had heard horror stories of colleagues being the ones pulling you down, wrap one in office politics and take credit of the work done, indulge in ugly fights or petty arguments. Not that the organizations I have worked so far are an exception to this dark side, but I have been singled out by people who are above these things. Not always, but enough to be blissfully ignorant of the bad guys.
I have worked in three companies so far, and have had a wonderful fortune of having amazing colleagues. Be it the conversations (though not always enlightening), be it the discussion on food, or simply sharing the quirks that might seem on the verge of madness to a lot, I have had the luck to bump into people that I can relate to and am comfortable with.
But it takes time. It has been very rare that a connection clicks the moment I have joined the organization, nor have I had epiphanies to work with them. The whole relationship has taken its time and work for me to be able to call them colleagues with a sense of work ethic as well as being able to share personal details with them without being thrown in to office politics. In fact I can proudly refer to many as very very good friends that I have made for life!
Touchwood!!!
And its not only about being friends.
I look up to them as my mentors too. I look at the senior colleagues with a chance to learn from them, from the experience they have had in life and their professional exploits! I have learnt a lot from the one’s that have had more experience than me. Not always professionally, but in general. They have taught me what mistakes I can avoid. How I can behave in a situation to turn it in my favour. I have learnt to control my impulses to react strongly when a situation does not demand it. I have learnt to be proactive especially when I want to accomplish something. I learn a different thing from each and every colleague that I have so far met. Some can speak well, some can dress well, some can work better under pressure, some are my well wishers, some maintain their distance while being cordial, and some are just really good friends. No, great friends!
One might say that all these thing are a part and parcel of life and are learnt over the course of time. True, but I think it is important for us to not forget the value of the people that we meet during this course of time. Why not thank them where they truly deserve?
I dedicate this post to all my past, present & future colleagues and thank them for helping me grow, pushing me where there was need, shielding me out of your own goodness, and more than anything letting me enjoy coming to work.
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