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Additional Responsibility
Submitted by Malcolm on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 08:08.I had an interview on Friday for an internal position.
It would not mean giving up what I currently do; more working alongside it as an additional responsibility.
I wasn't looking forward to it [the interview] as I wasn't sure if I wanted the job. The company had encouraged me to reply because the work related to my past experience.
I did some preparation and the interview went quite well. However, my intuition is telling me that I don't want the role and that I am half hoping I don't get offered it.
If it had come six months later I would have jumped at the opportunity, but I feel that it has come too early.
After only a month in a new posiiton, and trying to learn new material already, I feel that it could involve taking on too much which would be stressful.
I may not get it of course and will know at the end of this coming week.
Networking
Submitted by Malcolm on Wed, 11/26/2008 - 21:20.As I think I mentioned in a previous blog, I am determined to network whilst I am in my new job in my old industry and for my new company.
As I also think I mentioned, I have previously only networked when I want something, i.e. a job lead, which, as I have learnt, is not the right way to go about things.
Tonight I met someone and his first words were: "what do you want!". I replied that I didn't wnat anything;I just wanted to meet uo and keep the dialogue going along with my networking.
The conversation progressed and I started telling the person about my previous company (I told the contact that I was still working for them).
He became very interested and said that he had had someone come to meet him this week from America who was interested in the type of thing that we [my company] were doing!!
Theory of the Mind, Empathy, Reading Between the Lines...
Submitted by Malcolm on Thu, 11/20/2008 - 21:00.Had an interesting one today!
My new company is starting up an e-commerce operation. It is hugely important to the company, as it is a development that is structurally driving the industry we work in.
In my very first week the CEO called me and asked me to apply as my experience in my last company was very relevant and applicable.
I was slightly unsure about this given it was very early days, but I got the impression that I was being given a hint and that it would be politically incorrect not to be seen to be interested and positively disposed towards it.
One of my immediate colleagues urged me to apply. He knew of another person in the office who was going for it, but he thought that he was an unsuitable candidate.
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Transitions Project
Submitted by Malcolm on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 20:27.I gave the first presentation in my Transitions Project today at Nottingham University.
I thought it went well, as did the member of the University staff I put the programme together with.
Obviously, I'll find out what the actual reception was when my colleague receives feedback from the attendees. I ma hopeful though that it will be positive.
I have to confess I really enjoyed doing it. Giving something back to other people on the spectrum is hugely rewarding. It was also good to pass on some of the lessons that I have learnt from the workplace.
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Open Plan - First Day
Submitted by Malcolm on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 20:06.First day in the opne plan office and I can't say I like it!!
Its quite noisy and I am conscious of the fact that people are around me and, therefore, have the potential to observe.
Today went OK though. I was busy and I think that that could be key. If I am working no one can criticise me and I won't get self-distracted.
Change of Environment
Submitted by Malcolm on Sat, 11/15/2008 - 08:05.We are moving offices next week.
Until now I have been working in a small office with my two immediate colleagues. It was quite enclosed so I didn't have the complete solitude I prefer, but it has been working quite well.
As from Monday the whole department is going to be put in one large, predominantly open plan space. Obviously, this is contrary to what I like and need.
The move is temporary, or at least, for around six months. We are then going to move to new offices which will be a bit closer to my home and will cut my commuting time a little which will be very welcome.
However, in the meantime I am going to have to adjust. I know I will be more exposed and so will have to guard against people watching me more closely, my echolalia and other issues like holding discussions with my immediate colleagues (which we do about work related issues) and using the internet.
Prepared is forewarned!
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Working Methodically
Submitted by Malcolm on Wed, 11/12/2008 - 20:42.A quiet day at the offcie today though I did get quite a lot done.
I worked slowly through a text I needed to evaluate and would have got it done if a colleague hadn't interrupted. I need to do a few of these and another should be arriving tomorrow so I want to crack on.
I am conscious of the fact that I need to deliver and get some quick wins under my belt. Its the sort of environment where one could sit bcak somewhat but I htink that would be dangerous. Its important that I don't get complacent.
Other than that, all seems to still be going well.
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Early Appraisal
Submitted by Malcolm on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 20:11.I had an appraisal today - less than four weeks after joining the company.
It was more of a "set the scene and identify priorities" discussion then an appraisal to be honest but it went well.
My colleague said that I had settled in well and had already made a contribution so I was pleased about that.
They have also asked me to put an application in for another (joint) role. I don't fancy it to be honest but I want to be seen to be enthusiastic.
Need to keep the need to be, and be seen to be, proactive going forward and some additional wins under my belt!
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People Maybe Liking Me
Submitted by Malcolm on Thu, 11/06/2008 - 19:45.I logged yesterday how a colleague thought that a fellow colleague wasn't taking to him and how he - the latter - wasn't concerned about it.
Last week I got the impression that another person in the office was being aloof towards me.
It could have just been me of course and I suspect that it probably was. I often seem to have the tendency to automatically assume this - because of my AS of course.
Today he said "good morning" and was very pleasant, so I got my initial impression wrong.
Shows the importance of not automatically assuming things.
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Others Not Liking You
Submitted by Malcolm on Wed, 11/05/2008 - 19:59.My new colleague made an interesting point today.
He said that the CEO of the company didn't like him. It came as a bit of a surprise to me because I hadn't picked up on anything.
I said that he may have misinterpreted the situation because the CEO is slightly reserved.
What was interesting was the way my colleague mentioned things. He seemed very "matter of fact" and unpreturbed which, of course, is the correct approach.
As he went on to say: "it doesn't bother me" which I think he genuinely meant.
This is the stance that I have have been trying to adopt. As people know I believe that I have, perhaps, been too conscious of what other people have thought of me in the past and, perhaps also, been too quick to contribute it to my AS.
It was a useful insight today and reminded me that everyone has someone who is indifferent towards them - possibly unjustifiably.
