State of Mind

Not always, but often, my work is extremely interesting and I cannot wait to get into the office in the morning and even when I am elsewhere, my mind turns over the challenges, questions and information related to my current initiatives. This has been my state of mind since our most recent reorganization in my division at American Express. The work is interesting, the challenge is inspiring, the people I work for and with are smart, direct, and high-quality.

The stuff I am doing is interesting. My boss has enabled me and my peers to own our product and make decisions. For only the second time in roughly four years, I am doing the job (Product Manager) I signed on to do. I'm proud to be doing the work I am doing for a company like American Express. I work with ethical managers. From the inside I can see a company full of people who want to do the right thing. Our systems, infrastructure and traditions don't stop us from doing what is right for shareholders, customers, employees, and our communities. I don't have to fight with my conscience on any issue. It is such a pleasure.

This is not a commercial though. I just wanted to note that while the economy is a mess, the state of politics in the 2008 Presidential Election is a clear disappointment (to think that here we are in 2008 and the Primary has been all about race and religion makes me physically ill), and I am clearly on the outside of all the special and sometimes stressful moments my wife and daughters are having preparing for a wedding, I am enjoying the challenge of my job immensely. And I am proud to work for a firm that allows me to do it right.

Does that mean that I am here for life? Hardly. How can one even make that kind of commitment any more? It is a very competitive environment. The "kids" coming into the organization - any organization - these days are so very bright and well-educated and those of us classified as "mature" have got to run long and hard to keep up with them. I believe there is a mix of the new technology knowlege, energy and fresh eyes of youth and the seasoning, experience and understanding of mature people that every company needs if it is to survive.

Right now, I just hope that when the time comes to do something different I can find the kind of organization I work for right now. And that the challenge will be just as satisfying. Unless, of course, I make the "transfer" I thought about last year while in Maui and become "Snorkel Boat Dude Guy."

If you've been to the islands, you know this guy. He's at the boat around 5 AM, cleaning it and preparing it for 30 - 40 tourists who will be snorkeling in some of the most beautiful places in the world. He doesn't own the boat. That would be too much pressure. He works for a wage. He loads passengers, gets them coffee, "issues" them snorkel gear, teaches them how to use it, gives a speech about safety, sets the anchor, off-loads passengers into the water, watches to ensure they are safe, reloads them, gets them lunch, and tells them funny stories. After they return, he disembarks the passengers, cleans the boat and is off for a nap around 1 PM. After the nap, he checks the computer for the best waves on the island and heads out for a little evening surf.

So, much as I love what I am doing, I think I'd still trade the very satisfying challenge for the "monotony" of Snorkel Boat Dude Guy in Maui if I get half a chance to slow down that much! Truth be told, though, I'd probably end up letting ambition get in the way and buy the boat ...