Friday, May 11, 2007

the plot thickens...

Perhaps I'm obsessing about this. Perhaps just a little. As with all humans, I'm prone to some subjective interpretation of the facts, but I think there's at least a kernel of truth in here.

What I originally did at work:
  • co-ordinated projects across offices, branches, divisions
  • attended a fair number of out-of-office meetings with a variety of people/organisations on collaborative projects
  • was at the centre of what was going on in my area of specialty
  • researched, wrote reports, developed and gave presentations, briefings, etc.

What I now do at work (same job as before):

  • policy research, mainly at my desk
  • managing (I use the term loosely) projects in subject areas with which I have less familiarity and confidence, which could be good, except I'm afraid, just can't get started and am not capable at this time of setting up my own structure
  • watch the things I feel I could do - and do well - get handed off to other people because there's a fear I'll a) not get them done b) get distracted from the rest of my work -- which I'm not cut out for and am unhappy doing

I know it all starts with me, and everything, but the more bored, powerless and isolated I feel, the less motivated I am, the more likely it is that my interesting work will be handed off to others, and the more likely it is that I'll feel progressively more bored, isolated and unmotivated.

Now for the kicker, check this out:

My learning style and appropriate learning activities, according to the public service's online "learning wizard":

PRACTICAL LEARNING STYLE: Your preferred learning style is to act on your ideas. Once you understand the situation, you confront a challenge with your hands on real time. You enjoy getting involved in new experiences. You get immersed in situations and tend to look for new challenges as you may prefer the excitement of new experiences over implementation.

Beneficial Learning Activities
If your dominant and preferred learning style is acting on your ideas, you will BENEFIT MOST where:

  • You have opportunities to understand and immerse yourself in a situation
  • New experiences and opportunities for learning are provided
  • Real challenges and excitement are ahead of you
  • You get involved with other people and influence them through action
  • You can act on and implement your ideas
  • You can engage in projects and group discussions

Less Beneficial Learning Activities
If your dominant and preferred learning style is acting on your ideas, you will BENEFIT LESS where:

  • You are not given the opportunity to think through a problem
  • You cannot immerse yourself in the situation
  • You are asked to take a passive role
  • Your primary role is to analyze and interpret data
  • You are asked to do repetitive activities
  • You are engaged in passive learning such as lectures

3 comments:

MezzoDiva said...

Hmmmm... well that certainly reinforces your intuition, doesn't it.

No, you are not obsessing - you have a right to reclaim the kind of work that you (a) signed on for and (b) are well-suited for.

Trust your gut: If it feels wrong, it is wrong.

Have you considered printing a copy of the test results for yourself and one for your boss and using it to enlist him/her as an ally to reformulate your responsibilities and/or redistribute the departmental activities?

I am just thinking in print here.

Lorena said...

Failing what she said, if you and your boss wanted to take a vacation to Florida, there's room in my vegetable garden for one more body.

JUST KIDDING! KIDDING! :-)

But really, no; you're not obsessing. I agree with everything that Mezzodiva said. You have a right to work in an environment that inspires you, one that you are allowed to - and do - flourish in. Just as life is too short to use crappy yarn, life is too short to be stuck in a job that sucks out your soul. (Says the girl in a very similar position, who's thinking about uninstalling herself from her job... so take what I say with a grain of salt, for sure!)

ArcticFox said...

having spoken to you (at some length) about all this stuff.....

don't be afraid to stick your neck out.... tell them at work how you feel about it and of course have the test results to back it all up.

Perhaps you need to put your case forward and also let them put their case forward and get everything out in the open to see what you are really up against?

Good luck.... we're all here for ya!!

FoX