Career Scientist
Years ago, right after accepting a new role to assist with all things HR, I was given a warning.
“She’s tough and has had her trust broken repeatedly by past staff in this same role.”
I was quickly informed how the Corporate-level HR Director was not going to start working with me from a place of trust.
I was grateful for the heads up while simultaneously thinking “what the hell did I just get myself into?!”
While this is not the standard career opportunity I would highly-recommend for others, this was the career opportunity I found myself in.
And I had a choice.
Go through the hoops to find another place where I didn’t have to deal with rebuilding trust or I could do an experiment to see just how capable I was to rebuild trust in the most challenging career environment I'd ever be in.
After thinking through it all, downing a Diet Coke™, and throwing my own little pep rally - I felt ready. My gut led the way and I found myself determined to win her over. This is when my giant experiment started.
For a short time, I decided to give the space she needed to micromanage, double check my work, and question my processes. The goal was to show her through consistent actions and empathy that she could trust a colleague again.
After three very interesting months, I won her trust. During the next four years, she continued to trust me as I implemented and maintained processes through hundreds of hires, exits, and a layoff thrown in the mix.
Rebuilding something isn’t for everyone. But I’m here to tell you, if you decide to pull out your lab coat and become a career scientist within the environment you unexpectedly find yourself in - it can be very rewarding to flip the script for those who lack trust.
This experience ultimately taught me how to give space for redemption in business.
