So, I’ve started taking a big long look at where I’m at. It’s Christmas, 2006, so I’m in a reflective mood.
It was funny, because it was only last month that it hit me, that I’d been coasting for about the last 18 months. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve worked damn hard for most of that time – and it has been very challenging.
Some highlights from the year 2005/06 include starting and finishing a very fast-paced project from inception, requirements gathering, initial design, architecture and client consultation. This included implementation, performance tuning and delivery plus full documentation.
It took about one year and I picked up a lot *more* expertise in expectation management, client management and soft skills. Something I really could have used more overseas. The project was a big success, and indeed one I didn’t see myself surviving at times. It was something I was truly proud of, the team couldn’t have worked better together.
It was with very little fanfare that I transitioned to the current project. Over the past six months I’ve led a fluctuating team of 4 – 10 people as a unit within a group of three teams. I’ve had larger groups, but nothing near in terms of chemistry and morale. We had some problems with one team member who ultimately pulled through after a rough patch (with a little nudge from yours truly).
In terms of expectation I think we blew everyone away with the amount of stable, well designed functionality we delivered during a time when none of the teams looked particularly strong. I’ve attributed a lot of that success to the team at large, but still believe it was in many ways something to do with the leadership and passion I brought.
Now, to the future. In many ways I’m enjoying what I do today, but I’m in search of some bigger challenges. One of the problems at the moment is that I don’t have the kind of exposure I used to have on previous project(s), and I think it’s a case of too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
I’m ideally looking for the role I played in the past six months, something where I get to still play ‘hands on’ for around 20% of my time, but have a lot more say in the ‘bigger picture’. It’s something I started three years ago in Cremorne, practiced in Vancouver and ultimately was rewarded for in Sydney, this year. I don’t want the journey to end here, now.
Anyhow, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think it’s time to take that mental snapshot and decide what it will look like in twelve months. Then, what will it look like in three years? Five years?
Where will you be in a years’ time?
