Last month (without realising) I celebrated 3 years of working at Rio Tinto.
4 years ago, almost, I was interviewed for a role and the next day a certain "unprecedented time" kicked-off and I was unable to start.
My future leader at the time, Ciaran Keane, still met with me monthly, despite not having an open role. He would talk to me about safety shares, psychological well-being and just ask me how I was going meeting my goals. A kindness I've never forgotten.
A year down the track, another role opened up and I started, without hesitation.
I went from contracting in high-pressure environments, constant overnight stints, zero leave, what are boundaries? In smaller teams, to working in an organisation with more than 50,000 people to collaborate with.
I remember telling my new colleague Ben Duivenvoorden, that I planned to look in to some work over the weekend and his response was, "That's what Monday is for!" He became a great friend.
Over the few years I've kept so many notes. I think these are my favourite learnings:
💡 I missed the constant adrenaline of my old work, and initially found it hard to work without, but having time to do things properly with consideration from the start could be fun long-term. Being quick for the sake of getting across the line, does not get the job done, despite appearances.
🧠 I learnt that I am neurodiverse, because I had to the mental space to unravel my habits, seek help, my diagnosis and communicate clearly. I found my power in thinking in a different way, and I didn’t need to hide behind screens at home in order to survive work and people. I gained compassion for myself. If there is a health implication you can be diagnosed with and your life instantly improves - it is this.
🏋♀️ Above all, I learnt how important culture is to satisfaction and productivity. How much it means to me and how much I want to be a part of creating a great one - that it is achievable. Nothing and no-one at work is important enough to lose months or years of your healthy life to, and the ability to communicate boundaries for others is the single greatest thing I've gained in my career to date.
🚣♂️ The products you develop are far better off when everyone on the team has purpose, can align with the mission and has the opportunity (time) to do it properly. You don’t make people want to do the job, you let them.
🚴♂️ Agile methodologies! Good LAWD did I lap that up. Build a skateboard before you hack building a car overnight and it doesn’t start. I say that all the time and I'm sure we're all sick of it.
If I am to learn so much in the next 3 years, my head shall disgustingly explode.
