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The first annual LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN MINDS awards (2011) #mentor

I found myself frustrated with some of the situations I’ve been in this year so I am awarding the first annual LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN MINDS awards (2011). (And don’t let the use of “he” mislead you – these apply to both genders not just one.) Doing this has helped me focus on the situations I’ve been in as a mentor – and are good reminders to me that every mentoring situation is unique and can be an opportunity for my growth.

·       The I Can Do Anything award: To the person who finished their MPH 18 months ago and applied for a very senior position, despite advice that he wasn’t anywhere near as skilled or experienced as the position required.

·       The Why Doesn’t Everybody Like Me award: To the person who has had the same job with the same client for more than a decade – and cannot understand why he isn’t considered for a very senior position, but the person does not have an advanced degree and has not ensured his own professional development in the past decade.

·       The He Doesn’t Know What He Doesn't Know award: To the person who thinks that a recent master’s degree makes him a finished product and doesn’t understand why he isn’t getting a job when he tells an interviewer that he is an expert researcher who can conduct a research study independently.

·       The You Are What You Eat award: To the person who is a consummate professional - an expert in his field - and expects that everyone must “look” like him including everyone he hires to work with him.

And, as a bonus, I am awarding the Route 29 Commuter awards, which I wrote one morning a couple weeks ago in a very frustratingly slow line of traffic. Each of these commuting situations has a parallel at work.

·       The Cigarette Butt Toss Out the Window award: To the people who don’t clean up after themselves in the kitchen or the workroom

·       The Stray the Lane award: To the person who gives veiled hints of a better offer, leaving others to question the loyalty and longevity

·       The I Can Squeeze in Between Two Cars with Barely a Car Length: To the person who just barely makes deadlines, leaving others beginning to sweat.

·       The No Signaling Lane-Changer award: To the person who gives no indication of being interested in the work being proposed but who actually does the work – and does it quite well.

Happy new year to all!

Posted via email from sue griffey's posterous

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