Memo: A Little Respect Can Do Wonders
There is one positive element on my side of the desk every day: free time.
When this happens, it’s like the Receptionist Armageddon – phone calls die down, visitors disappear, coworkers stop buzzing about what type of funky food they ordered. Office tranquility. It may only last five minutes, but it’s there, and that’s key.
It's so easy…but you make it so difficult, jerk boss.
Although it’s tempting, this break doesn’t mean browsing new styles at J.Crew or checking out status updates on Facebook (I obviously do that during my “work” time). I never forget that I have this menial job so that I can focus my energy on my passion for acting and comedy. This means anything from reading a script for an audition, writing, signing up for a class, researching who’s who on IMDB.com, and learning the business through trade magazines.
Recently, I decided switch up how I manage this time and take a little chance. I was so used to rejection from agents and casting directors, that I figured, “Why not send a letter to a top TV executive to add to the collection?” So I did.
Next thing I know, I’m sitting in an plush executive office overlooking the Hudson River talking face-to-face about the industry with the president of a huge network.
There was a part of me thinking, “I can’t believe this is happening”, and another side of me saying, “Of course this is happening, you’ve been working hard on this for almost 6 years.”
This was liberating to know that as a “nobody” in the business right now, that I was respected enough to get 20 minutes of time.
Don’t worry, I didn’t use the meeting to just ramble about how awesome I am; I save that for family reunions. There was a lot of give and take. I was captivated by the the type of person that would bring someone like me into their office.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have dreams of walking out of that meeting with a golden ticket that stated my “dues” were paid, and I was free from returning to the office chambers. Instead, I walked out of there with confidence and assurance that I will “make my way.”
There was a quote from the meeting that resonated with me. The TV exec said, “If someone goes through all the work to reach out to me, I can give them 20 minutes of my time.” A profound, but basic concept.
How does this translate in the office?
Here’s the memo: Give others the time of day. Get to know your FedEx/UPS/DHL delivery person’s name, say thank you to the custodian engineer more often, don’t just bring complaints to the building manager.
Let’s be innovative not just in work, but to each other.
