I am possible!

When I was in college, my goal was to take up a bachelor's degree in Psychology, to learn the "human" psyche. I grew up with a deep longing to understand how people are different from each other. I often find myself quietly observing the human persona - what people say, how they behave, and when a simple idea from a person can pave the way to greater learning. I was not very competitive. I did not care much about being on top of my class. But that did not prevent me from taking in as much from merely listening, observing and processing things around me. Little did I know that my curiosity will one day become my world of "possibility".

Fresh out of college, I landed an entry-level job as an office assistant, where my primary role was to make friends with the telephone. I would answer phone calls day in and out. Looking back, I did not have the slightest clue that those phone calls were going to set the footprints in my chosen field of endeavor - Human Resources.

Then came a next opportunity which I consider as my official launch to a "professional" career. I came in to interview to what is commonly known as "management trainee" (or an intern). It started as a casual introduction, until I was asked what my experience was in the corporate world. In my desire to doing "much more" than answering phone calls, I immediately uttered: "I would like to get to know the company and learn what I can do to be successful in doing it".

Was that a good enough answer? What followed was a decade of climbing the so-called corporate ladder: I got hired as a Receptionist/Front-desk Associate, followed by being a Customer Service Representative. After a couple of years, as Account Manager. After a year of meeting clients, another opportunity came along, when I was offered to be Team leader. As if possibilities are just not enough, I applied and got hired as an HR Administrator, responsible to hiring, training and coaching employees. For each role that I assumed, one thing was quite imminent.

My goal is my reality in the making. In my pursuit for Psychology, I was able to open myself up as a Human Resources professional. I remember that first day when I came face to face with that telephone. The numerous phone conversations that have resulted to "making introductions", "getting to know the person (behind the voices)", and "responding to every bit of question with (what seemed to be) a viably good/right information". Whatever the case may be, they have all provided me with the necessary "tools of the trade" and "rules for engagement".

Today, I can safely say that I am more than my diploma. I am a culmination of my hopes, dreams, desires, aspirations. Every time I pick up the phone and get to know a "human person" speak about "real life" matters - who they are, what do they do best, and what motivates them to be better, allows me to be a "bigger" person too. There is tremendous value in human interaction. To take the time to know someone, says a lot about how much learning is meant to be passed on. Human resources mean "power in human".

Any job worth doing can only be a success, not by AI (Artificial Intelligence), but by HI (Human Interaction) that is built in relationships. When I am faced with a rejection and/or denial, I no longer feel "small". My passion to get to know people and build solid partnerships is an opportunity to "learn more", hence, we "become more". We are all in the business of humanizing, engaging and partnering. And why not? Only humans can make interactions. And when we make connections, the possibilities become limitless.

So, the next time you make friends with that telephone/cellphone, skip the chat. Make it a real conversation. Just pick up the phone and say: Let's be possible!

WIN the day!

Winning Moments#2

8/4/2024