Last Saturday it was 26 years ago that I joined Waters Corporation and typically I won't pay a lot of attention to my work anniversary, except for the big round numbers, like 15, 20 and 25.
Though this time - thanks to the features of LinkedIn - from the moment I woke up on Saturday and still today I keep getting congratulation wishes in direct messages and comments and likes on a post LinkedIn generated itself.
So I started to think ...
😀 First of all it's nice to get all these messages and I am sure it's good for the dopamine-instant-social media happiness emotions.
🎂 26 years is indeed a lot and probably not that common sense anymore nowadays.
❓ So ... what made me stay for 26 years?
🔬 Absolutely the customers that really want to work together, share their challenges, define problems and think about solutions. They keep us at the top of our toes, moving the needle day after day with respect for each other's needs.
🌳 For sure a group of good managers that supported me, that challenged me and that gave me opportunities to grow and to learn.
🕸 The big network of colleagues in the "maze" that Waters sometimes can be.
🚫 The people leaders that made it obvious on how I would not like to lead people, and therefore emphasizing the importance of transparency, trust and admitting that there is plenty that you don't know (yet).
🌈 Opportunities that came via specific projects totally out of my comfort zone, and giving me the challenge that I need regularly. I love to start things from scratch or dismantle chaos into something that gives synergy. Not doing this in isolation, though bring a diverse group of people together to tackle the problem. Learn from the different viewpoints to make something better, better than yesterday.
🌞 Thank You, I am grateful for the 26 years. Let's see what the future brings ...
Retired
3moCongratulations!