I remember the time
When I was ten childhood had a whole other set of coordinates than nowadays. Some of the regular boys’ games involved stealing green sour fruits from someone’s private garden. Or maybe a whole branch with those fruits – takes less time, you see.
The gang counted five and usually, even if no german shepherd would be involved, a mad 40 year old with a heavy bat and prominent veins would always come up towards the end of the fruitful heist, seeding fear, adrenaline and panic. And fun!
However, in order to make sure the fun part doesn’t end too soon, somebody would have to plan this like in the movies. That somebody was me.
In the post communist Romania from 20+ years ago, How to Steal a Million was the best source of inspiration in such matters on the only one TV station I had available. So, through trial and plenty of error(s) and bruises, I came up with a classic for SEAL teams: recon, distract, attack, watch for trouble and signal for get-the-hell-outta-here if necessary.We (obviously!) had predetermined run-far-away routes and a common meeting point, where we’d all be clear to share the loot.
And laugh wholeheartedly while preparing for a well deserved stomach ache.
Yeah, I’ll admit I wasn’t the one climbing the fence, the roof or the trees but the team worked well in this fashion. Not to mention I had a genuine referee whistle, present from my uncle.
And I used pen and paper!
I’d like my team back
Fast forward 20 years into the present and somehow, you get the same guy: planning for success. Thinking how things can fail, so they won’t. Asking the questions that your clients would, noticing the details that make the difference between a high bounce rate and a high conversion rate. Putting together the puzzle pieces of the bigger picture so that answering WHY takes less.
So, what do you think I would fancy? I’d like my team back, so we can have fun again!
Sure, the game may have changed, the stakes may seem higher, but I find them suited for the age. The thrill of the “heist”, the “loot”, the team laughter that signals the end of a lesson, not only a project.
Pretty lies
I could tell you that I’m looking for young, dynamic colleagues, well prepared and serious professionals, ready to rock’n’roll every project with the highest standards of quality, through passion and dedication. I could say I’m looking for a boss that can either become my mentor or is willing to listen to my ideas and implement then without hesitation. Internal trainings, awesome books within reach, travelling from a conference to another, leaving no time for actual work just knowledge gorging.
But … fun comes not only from the result, but also from the discovery process, the relationships you build, the vibe that the project carries with it and the dent you make by being the best version of yourself.
And I want my share of fun! How about you?
