Being Grounded

I can't help but notice one of my unit managers when she walked towards me to greet me. Nice hair...no, great hair. I asked her if she had it permed. She had it layered and she spends time to set it and blow dry it before leaving her house. She has a well proportioned body even then but she still lost a lot of weight looking at her. Looks really good on her. She had just given birth to her nth child, she's in her late 30s, and I know she is having personal and professional concerns at this point. Looking at her, I was asking myself, is this the one beseech by problems? I am amazed. She can still manage to glow in the middle of a pending decision that might cause her her job for some issues about proper implementation of SOPs and people management.

I was fixing myself up in the powder room when she came in. As we have some small conversation about the weather, I was observing her. She puts on her make-up elaborately but effortlessly. She was putting on her mascara when she was telling me how their sales performance is very much affected by the erratic weather. That unlike in Manila, if it rains, the malls benefit, etcetera. I wanted to stop her from giving me all these updates. #1, I know all about their report. #2, we were in the powder room and doing her make-up and relaying a report just do not match (it's not like we're talking about our next spa appointment or next trip to the mall). #3, I wanted to ask her how she does it.

How can she manage to look fabulous in spite of her major personal and professional concerns? I may have questions on her work attitude and people handling but I admire the part of her which seems to be undaunted in the face of what could be life-changing situations. Her perks, her hefty salary will go kaput and our decision on her case could put a dent on her career. Maybe deep inside she's really hurting and worried. My point is she carries them very well. Maybe she is still the biatch that everyone says she is but looking good and projecting a confident stance amidst uncertainty are the things which I admire about her character.

Life goes on and a chapter could end, another one will definitely start. Go girl, but please play your cards well.

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I was having small conversation with our newly hired Regional Manager about how she's doing so far. Though she still has a lot of things to learn in terms of the company's culture, I admire her energy! She's a mom of two and has a provincial assignment. Since we are in the middle of a big project in her region, her schedule is so full that she spends 90% of her time in North Luzon. Her farthest area is a twelve hour drive from Manila. She was telling me she left the other night and it was really raining hard. The mother in me was touched.

Ever since I started working, even during my college days when I had a part time job, I don't like leaving the house at night to go to work. I had a stint in a fast food chain as one of their crews. During our training days, I had a three-night schedule but I did not attend any of them. I forgot what alibi I said but the real reason was I don't like leaving home at night. Night time means I should be home within the comforts of our home, with my family, having dinner with them and watching television and then sleep. Maybe this is a peculiarity but it makes me sad to leave home at night.

As a mother, the thought that after a day's work I will go home to my daughter and have dinner with her, go over her lessons and tuck her to bed are the most comforting thoughts. It greatly balances my day.

I have been in the leadership position for a couple of years. I have my mentors and I thank them for sharing their knowledge with me. But the things that inspire me most I see from the people I work with everyday. The people who do the nitty gritty of the job are the people that motivates me. I get inspired by the strength of character I see and feel in most of them. That is why I enjoy having casual conversation with the people in the department. I get to have a peek of their personalities, their character, their beliefs. They help keep me grounded.