Monday, February 9, 2009

A Twist of Fate: An Update

The news that got to us was false. We thought we were safe. We thought we would still be complete. Happy times pa rin amidst the global financial crisis.

Then a week ago, my manager broke the news to me and a teammate (Paul) that 2 from the Manila team will be getting the boot. She chose to tell us since we had the power to, in her words, "save the asses of two teammates".

The reason? A new project has just been contracted and we were the (only) team members who matched the client's need. If all goes well and the client gives the nod then no retrenchment.

Paul was cool about the whole thing. I was not. I haven't used those skills the client needs for more than 2 years. Those weren't the skills I'm good at. I told them about my fears. They brushed it aside. They said I should review. And that they were confident I would impress the client.

That is scary. That's too much expectation. Too much pressure. I thought I was done with that kind of thing as soon as I got my license. I guess I was wrong.

Frankly, I don't want to leave my team. I love my job. I love chatting with people from all parts of the globe - Americans, Brits, Spanish, Chinese, Polish, French, Russians. I like the people I work with. They're fun. Cool. Brave. Green-minded. Assertive. Aggressive. They know me inside and out. They know when to avoid me when I'm in a bad mood. In short, they know my quirks.

But as much as I love my team I don't want to fail. Failure, for this instance, is not an option. I don't want to be the reason that a teammate would get retrenched. I don't want to be the reluctant villain. I want to be the guy who saved an ass. I want to be the hero.

But what price, if I pass the client's standards, would I have to pay in the long run? When my ass needs saving, will there be another Scud to act as the hero?

(Wednesday, February 4, 2009)

*****

It's final. I got in. I passed the interview. I made a good impression. I saved a teammate's job.

I learned the news Friday morning the minute I badged into the office. It was a bittersweet feeling. I heaved a sigh of relief.

My teammates chorused an "Aaaawwww!!!" when it was officially announced that I was moving to another account, that I initially did't want to, but had to do what's the best for the team.

I'm actually looking forward to the job, with trepidation of course. I've always looked at the glass half-empty. I'm a cynic. Always have been.

But my manager reminded me to look at it as an opportunity. Now, I think it is. It'll be a chance for me to prove my worth in the company. And I'll be mentoring someone. That'll be a challenge.

(Monday, February 9, 2009)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish you the best of luck, Pards. There is indeed a lot of pressure on your shoulders but try not to think too much about what's at stake. Focus on what you need to do and give it your best shot. That's all you can do.

gillboard said...

I say you have a dilemma in your hands... mahirap nga yan.. good luck with your decision making. I'm sure you'll pull through.

Visual Velocity said...

Good luck man! Pressure ba? No matter what happens, don't blame yourself. Just remember that you did your best. Let's DOH it! Bahala na si Batman! Ehehehe.

The Scud said...

panaderos > thanks! i'll try to give it my best shot. mamaya na ang dreaded interview. :-)

gillboard > thanks din!

andy > information overload nga ako ngayon. haha. sana walang task mamaya para review na naman. :-)

Grace said...

That's life, Scud. :)

Anonymous said...

That's one hell of a challenge. I really hope it turns out well.
Good luck! ;p

The Scud said...

grace > i know. life is still beautiful.

len > thanks! it turned out well. i passed the interview. it's a bittersweet feeling. i'll blog about it in the (near?) future.

Raft3r said...

idol
i always thought heroism is dead
dahil sayo my faith in people has been restored
naks
galingan mo
kunti na lang ang kagaya mo

Raft3r said...

wow
congrats
may lovelife na at career advancement pa
blowout ka naman!

gillboard said...

congratulations!!!

Raft3r said...

dude, may tanong ako re: computers
hehe
nawala na naman yun audio ng laptop ko
help!

The Scud said...

raft3r > salamat! salamat! bumabawi lang si Lord ngayon. Daming pahirap last year. Saka na ang libre pag wala ng krisis. hehe.

gillboard > thanks!

raft3r > ano huli mo ginawa? did you install a new software? does it work if ginamitan mo ng earphones?

Raft3r said...

balikan kita, ha
di ko na-try ng may earphones, eh

nag public wifi ako
after non, nawala na yun audio natin
hmmm...

The Scud said...

raft3r > baka meron na-install nung nag public wifi ka without you noticing it. try mo tsek sa control sa Add or Remove Programs ng Control Panel.