MBT Blog: New Year, New Jobs

Wisdom is all around us: from the MBT Blog

Published by Mary Balistreri, MBT More Business Today LLC

Happy New Year! Welcome to the new MBT Blog. This year, MBT can stand for More Business Today, More Belonging Today, Much Bewilderment Totally, Mega Bonus Today, and so on. The new year offers so many opportunities, why limit MBT to its official meaning.

In 2023, I learned how clients, colleagues, family, and friends experienced the world. While the details were different from story to story, the themes were similar. Business is more than business, and relationships differ in each environment.

As I sit here in my favorite café sipping a beautifully constructed almond milk cappuccino and eating a gorgeous scone,  I look out the window at all the weather. Much Blowing of Snow Today. I am reminded of my own conclusion in 2023 as noted in my last blog post, “There is wisdom all around us, if we would only take a moment to stop and listen.”

As I return my mug to the counter in the café, I construct a tale of two friends, David and Norah. They are fictional characters, yes, and true reflections of so many of us. They share the challenges and triumphs I heard in the stories of 2023 and, those facing all of us this year. These two have wisdom to share, I think, with each other and with us.

David is a lawyer at a mid-sized law firm. He is excited to start as a senior counsel and is looking forward to making partner. Norah is a new director of relationships at a local nonprofit business. The two have been close since they were kids, sharing the same father although they were raised in separate households.

“I have been dying to talk to you,” David says, running his hands through his hair. “My new job is awesome, but there is so much to do. I don’t know where to start! You always have such good ideas for organization. Please, give me some pointers!”

Norah pauses, staring at David without saying a word. He is effusive as ever, she thinks. After a beat, she smiles, “Hello, how are you.”

David takes a deep breath and sighs. “I am well, how are you? And, thank you for the reminder,” he says. He relies on Norah to slow him down and remind him that he is not the center of the universe.

“You are welcome. A little bit of emotional intelligence is a good thing, David. Well, I love my new job, but I am a bit worried,” Norah says this so softly, he can barely hear her.

“What are you worried about? You love the mission of the place. You are a director for the first time and you are only 27! Everything is falling into a place perfectly for you, Norah.”

She takes a deep breath and looks down at the table for a second. David was used to this behavior from Norah. She could be the fiercest person on the face of the earth one second, and completely withdrawn the next. So, he waits in silence for her to speak again.

“It’s just that, I never managed people before. Don’t roll your eyes at me. You know it’s different for women in the workplace, especially women of color. I know I will be judged to a higher standard,” Norah said, raising her eyes to look straight at him. Norah’s mom was a beautiful tall, elegant African American woman, and their dad was a third-generation Sicilian American. Norah got the best traits of both of them, David thought. His half-sister was an amazing woman.

“I know,” he reached across the table and held her hand when he said it. “I am here for you. And, please, please, please, tell yourself every day that you can do this! You will be the best director they ever had.”

Norah nodded but did not feel any better. “Let’s talk about your problem now. What is it you are trying to organize? Remember what I have told you before. Use your calendar, set deadlines for yourself. You are such a procrastinator. You have to have solid deadlines.”

“You are right, course. First, though, let’s finish with your problem.” Seeing her raised eyebrow of surprise, David adds, “How’s that for emotional intelligence? Let’s set some deadlines for you, too. Every night, I want you to text me one positive thing about yourself. Something you did or a compliment you got from someone…”

“I got it, I got it. And, I agree to the texting! Thank you, David,” Norah laughs a little.

“Back to me, you are right, I need deadlines. I think I will use a notepad and write down everything I have to do so far. Then I can cross things off, like a list. You always make lists. What do you think?” David said.

“I think that will get old really fast and you will stop doing it tomorrow,” they both laugh at this. “Ok, here is what I think you should do,: Norah continues. Create a page on the notepad for the week you are in, one for the quarter, and one for the year. Then, keep it on your desk so you can find it and write in it anytime a new task comes up. Then, ask your assistant to put it into a spreadsheet for you so you can see all the deadlines.”

“Then, I don’t use the notepad anymore,” David asks, trying to visualize this to-do list and all the deadlines.

“No, you need to keep the notepad right there on your desk so you can put all the tasks on it. Then, maybe weekly, have your assistant update the spreadsheet for you,” Norah replies getting up to leave. “I have to go. I don’t want to be late. “

“What? I have so much more to tell you and ask you…” David continues talking while Norah interrupts. She knows she has to interrupt or he will never stop.

“Maybe you can be late to work at your new job, but I cannot and will not. I’ll text you tonight to tell you how great I am,” Norah says and walks out.

“Ok. Let’s do this again two weeks from now,” David shouts as Norah waves goodbye. He sends her a text with only the words “two weeks!” and a heart emoji. She sends back a thumbs up.

Do you think David and Norah will support each other throughout the year? I hope they do. I really like them. They both have strengths in different areas to share. As the year progresses, I hope the stories of David and Norah’s successes, failures, and challenges bring inspiration to you wherever you are.