Ever felt like taking a leap into the unknown? I did, too. My goal was to step out of my comfort zone. Little did I know, it would push me way beyond what I expected! Read on to know how embracing change led to surprising and valuable experiences.
I'm sure most of us have stumbled across daunting corporate life stories while scrolling through our phones. I know I have. It was terrifying back then, as I was a recent graduate in the midst of job hunting. I occasionally came across similar stories online or in conversations with my friends. When I saw HumanCap's hiring post, I did what any fresh graduate would do: I stalked every social media page they had. However, this does not diminish my fear of the unknown working world, as I went through the interview process and eventually received the offer letter.
Many thoughts raced through my mind: Is it wise to accept the offer? Is this a good place to begin my career? Is the working world really as intimidating as it seems? I was concerned that I might not belong or that I lacked the necessary qualifications for the role. This led me to question whether I was making the right decision. Our brains often try to make things simpler by using what we already know or have experienced. The more I read and hear stories about corporate challenges, the more my doubts grew, even if they were not entirely justified.
However, my perspective shifted after meeting the people here. On my first project, I was guided by a senior, whom I greatly respect, as she never made me feel ignorant for not knowing even the basic Excel functions. Although she left a few months later, there are many others like her here who are always willing to offer guidance. Contrary to the harsh corporate stories I had read online, I found that not everyone in the corporate world is as hostile as portrayed. This experience has taught me the importance of giving new opportunities a chance and not letting negative stereotypes cloud your judgement.
Of course, there were challenging days too; it is not always rainbows and sunshine. It is important to remind yourself not to become emotionally attached to your job. Do not let a rough day at work affect your life outside of it. Sometimes, when interactions are less pleasant or you feel overlooked, remember that others might be dealing with their own issues—it is not necessarily about you. If you give your best effort at work, you should feel proud of yourself, even if criticism is received without thanks. It is definitely easier said than done! I'm currently loving the song 'The Show' by Niall Horan. It made me ponder how we would learn if everything in life went smoothly. As the song says, 'If everything was easy, nothing ever broke. If everything was simple, how would we know? How to fix your tears, how to fake a show. How to paint a smile, yeah, how would we know? How good we have it though?'.
It is saddening to hear that people are experiencing difficult colleagues or bosses. A little kindness can truly make a difference. Let's change the way we work with others by treating them as we wish to be treated. Of course, it is difficult to change so abruptly when it is ingrained in workplace culture. However, the best time to start making changes is now, starting with yourself rather than waiting for others. Simply imagining a better working environment without acting will result in no change. Managing culture within an organisation is essential and should never be underestimated. Change is never easy, yet it only happens when you act. As I continue to learn about change management, I believe that sustainable change is possible with the right support. Through my involvement in various projects, I have seen firsthand the benefits of change management strategies.
In the end, it is the small, consistent efforts we make that shape a better future for ourselves and those around us. Embracing change and fostering kindness are key to cultivating growth, both personally and within our teams. How have you embraced change or shown kindness in your workplace, and what impact did it have on your team's culture?
Written by Aina Nurin Nasruddin.
