I recently took a rite of passage to adulthood: I got a job in retail. Contrary
to the warnings of many of my peers (who completed this rite years ago), I’m
actually really enjoying the experience. Sure, customers can be picky, rude,
and ungrateful. Sometimes it’s hard to keep smiling and stay cordial. But I
appreciate being pulled from my solitary writerly cave and into daily social
interaction. It’s refreshing to focus on something completely different. My
coworkers are awesome, and meetings always involve pizza.
ADAPTABILITY/INITIATIVE
Life in the military is often trial by fire. You’re expected to learn quickly, frequently with little or no instruction, sometimes in high-stakes situations. My deployed position was in many ways make-it-up-as-you-go; Information Operations for use in counterinsurgency/nation-building efforts was a new application. All doctrine was based on Vietnam-era kinetic warfare (direct enemy engagement). There were no standard operating procedures. Our guidance was vague—to the point of, to quote a colleague’s commander, “Sprinkle some IO dust on that.”
ASSERTIVENESS
Most situations are preferable to living in a warzone. Being yelled at by a persnickety customer is a hell of a lot better than being yelled at by generals and/or Afghan government officials. Interactions carry very little risk of inciting an international incident. In all likelihood, no one will be injured or killed. As my husband is fond of saying, “At least they’re not shooting at you.”
If you're shopping this weekend, please be kind to your salespeople!
Not counting internships and work-from-home gigs, this is also my first
job since leaving the service. Working in the “real world” has helped me
realize many of the lessons I took from my time in the military.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m compiling a list of gratitude. In the spirit of the military, I made it into an acronym: PAEAP, which you can remember with this Thanksgivingy phrase: People Always Eat Amazing Poultry.
PUNCTUALITY
I used to be perpetually late, regardless of what time I was supposed
to arrive (but especially in the morning), where I was going or for what purpose. I
didn’t mean to be late. I’d give myself ample time, I wouldn’t dawdle; I’d just
hit a time warp and suddenly need to leave five minutes ago. In my college
freshman English class, I was downgraded from an A to an A- because I had too
many tardies. (The classroom was in the building next to my dorm, and the class
started at a very reasonable 10am . . .)
The military beat lateness out of me. Mornings were popular. Schedules were tight,
and delaying a meeting or sneaking in late risked earning the commander’s
wrath. Though a tad hyperbolic for my line of work, I took the saying to heart:
“If you’re early you’re on time, if you’re on time you’re late, and if you’re
late you’re dead.” Anyone who knows me knows I’m still not a morning person.
But I can rally if I need to. (Incidentally, I also credit the military for
indoctrinating me to black coffee.)
ADAPTABILITY/INITIATIVE
Life in the military is often trial by fire. You’re expected to learn quickly, frequently with little or no instruction, sometimes in high-stakes situations. My deployed position was in many ways make-it-up-as-you-go; Information Operations for use in counterinsurgency/nation-building efforts was a new application. All doctrine was based on Vietnam-era kinetic warfare (direct enemy engagement). There were no standard operating procedures. Our guidance was vague—to the point of, to quote a colleague’s commander, “Sprinkle some IO dust on that.”
The expectation isn’t to instantaneously know the best way to
accomplish the mission, but to figure out a good way. Initiative can mean
asking for help, using the resources at your disposal to make an informed
decision, making a “command decision” (a judgement call), or all of the above.
It does NOT mean panicking, wallowing in self-doubt, or being paralyzed into
inaction. I use these skills almost every day—particularly these last few weeks
as I learn the ropes of a new service-oriented industry. If all else fails, I
remember one of the unofficial tenants of public affairs: If you don’t have
actual confidence, have pretend confidence.
EFFICIENCY
The military expects its members to operate with what they call “a
sense of urgency.” Everything you do, whether it’s cleaning your weapon or
cleaning your plate, should be done as efficiently as possible. There are a
bajillion checklists, fill-in-the-blank templates and step-by-step guides to make
this easier. In some situations, though, circumstances call for time-saving procedural
deviations (see Adaptability/Initiative).
Speediness often comes into conflict with my perfectionist inclinations—I’ve
had to learn to balance my high personal standards with what is reasonable to accomplish
effectively in a timely manner and with
available resources. Each customer may not have flawlessly gift-wrapped purchases,
but they’ll be satisfied, and I can move onto the next customer rather than
keeping him/her waiting.
ASSERTIVENESS
I’m a natural pushover and avoider of confrontation. Governed by
emotions and drawn toward peacemaking, I'd prefer to get walked on than make
waves. Public affairs is kind of a wave-making entity. I often found myself a
lowly lieutenant in a meeting with high-ranking leaders who were focused
(understandably) on the immediate tangibles of a situation. PA was an
afterthought, when the shit hit the fan. In order to pre-empt mass confusion
and/or media and community outrage, I had to proactively speak up and assert my
position as the subject matter expert, even when I felt anything but. As a
supervisor and ranking officer, I also needed to stand up for my Airmen. I was
the buffer between their wellbeing and demanding customers.
Though the stakes are lower in small business retail, my actions still
represent the company. I’m still the (actively learning) subject matter expert. Confrontation
remains mildly nauseating for me, but I’ve learned that the anticipation is
usually worse than the actual event. More often than not, long-term benefits are
worth temporary discomfort.
PERSPECTIVE
Most situations are preferable to living in a warzone. Being yelled at by a persnickety customer is a hell of a lot better than being yelled at by generals and/or Afghan government officials. Interactions carry very little risk of inciting an international incident. In all likelihood, no one will be injured or killed. As my husband is fond of saying, “At least they’re not shooting at you.”
As always, I’m thankful to be spending the holidays with loved ones
and grateful for all who have worked and continue to work to make
that possible.
If you're shopping this weekend, please be kind to your salespeople!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
