I Returned to the Workplace 2 Years After Making an Exit — This Time, I Enjoyed It.
I endorse taking time away from work
Never say never.
Yes, for a privileged few, making an early exit from the workplace is a badge of honor we wear on our sleeves. I get that. I was one.
But life does throw us but-lemons. We must adapt when times are bad, especially when our businesses take a nosedive.
Or when our content earnings are no longer sufficient to pay our bills.
We may have to return to the workplace out of financial necessity.
And we are better prepared for it this time.
I Came Back with The Big Picture in Mind
I left full-time employment to do my own thing in 2019.
I spent 2019–2021 growing my 1-Man consulting practice, getting involved in private businesses I have a stake in, and trying to crack the online writing code. It was the best 2 years I ever had.
During that time, my mind opened.
You see… we are trapped in our domains, specializations, and scope of work in our 9–5. It trains us to take a myopic view of our work.
Does this sound familiar?
- “This is not my responsibility.”
- “Let me forward your email to my colleague.”
- “I can give you my two cents, but I cannot comment because you own the task, not me.”
I don’t blame anyone for putting guardrails. We want to knock off on time, too.
But the business suffers.
Here’s why.
Businesses are like our physical bodies. It is a complex ecosystem.
Think about it this way.
- In a buffet — Your mouth enjoys. Your stomach suffers.
- When we walk — Our hamstrings extend. Our quads pull.
Businesses operate in the same fashion.
- When marketing works — Sales get leads.
- When sales get leads — Contracts get signed.
- When contracts are signed — Revenue increases.
- When revenue increases — The business grows organically.
- When the business grows organically — We can spend more on automation tools.
Cause and effect dominate our workplace.
So, I paid more attention to the domains I work with directly. In fact, I make routine rounds to find out how they are doing.
Especially the marketing department. The reason is simple. I am in consulting sales. I need quality leads.
I wasn’t like that previously. I spent time b!tching about what people did and what they did not. I no longer do that today.
I think my colleagues like me more now.
Relationship Building Is No Longer a Waste of Time
Keeping to myself is a default.
I don’t enjoy desk hopping. I find it hard to ask colleagues about their weekends, children, cupcakes, and trail runs. It’s just not me.
I would arrive at my desk, tidy it, power my laptop, and start typing.
- Emails.
- Sales proposals.
- Client best practices whitepapers.
- Preparing client meeting PPT.
- Salesforce updates.
- Pipeline analysis.
- LinkedIn DMs.
At my best, I would bury my head in at 845 in the morning and get off my chair at 1145 for lunch.
I am here for business. I am here to work.
That was me, pre-2019.
Things changed when I got busy running my business. I must get out to meet people, speak to them, and understand their challenges. It precedes all work-based tasks.
Since then, my mindset changed by 180 degrees.
Now, I focus on the people around me. I learn to network. I attempt to be nice.
I will start with my colleagues.
- Hey Marcus, I see that the report is coming due. Need help?
- Thank you for ordering donuts for our weekly department meeting. We need it!
- Do you want me to accompany you to that sales presentation? I can cover your back.
Then I extend that human touch to my clients and leads.
Humans want to deal with humans.
Not robots.
Be The Person You Want to Work With
Close your eyes.
In 5 seconds, find 3 jerk-like personas you have encountered in the workplace.
Okay, open your eyes.
Now, replicate this exercise. This time, think about the role models you want to emulate. I will do you a favor. 1 name will do.
Done? Great. Time for after-action review.
I will start with me. Firstly, I can name 100 jerkies in 5 seconds. No kidding. These are people I find obnoxious.
They,
- Refuse to listen,
- Talk down at me,
- Think they are God-like,
- Believe that they are dispensable,
- Gaslight in the name of mentorship.
I refuse to be one of them. Not pre-2019. Not today.
Here’s why.
It saps energy from the people around you. Colleagues, bosses, clients, and teammates cannot wait to distance themselves from you. They find interaction with you an absolute chore, to begin with.
So,
- They shun away from you.
- They find it a misfortune to sit beside you in a meeting.
- They avoid your desk.
How do I know?
Well, I was that guy.
And don’t think about this as being macho. It is not. Business is a team sport. Individual heroism kills.
I learned this the hard way.
Once, during the 2 years of doing my own thing, I encountered a service supplier who refused to answer my call. There was an emergency client escalation, and the situation is dire.
I could not wait any longer. I escalated.
His boss told me this.
“Angus said he muted you because you are always rude to him. He finds you disrespectful. In fact, he wanted to transfer this account to other managers. But none of them wanted to take over.”
That was a wake-up call.
I never realized what a Jerk I was.
It was then… I realized that no one wants to work with someone they detest. And in business, we meet people from all walks of life.
And so, I endeavor to do one thing.
I will be nice to everyone I meet.
I try.
That way, my work can move. People come forward when I ask for help.
It works, fortunately.
It feels good that people answer my calls.
Parting Keynotes
I’m more prepared for the workplace than I did as a fresh graduate.
Of course. Then, I knew nothing about human psychology, how business works from within, and the importance of relationships.
Today, armed with experience and difficulties of running businesses — I understand.
I return to the workplace with an open mind. And with a big picture in mind.
It has worked out well.
As a content contributor, I write my daily life observations and business exposure. Our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
