In this narrative reflection, there will be a reflection on an experience based on responding to change in a former workplace of mine. Using academic sources and personal experience it will reflect whether these changes helped hinder or further the professionalism that was intended to be possessed. Through this, we will chat about externalising conversations, re-membering conversations, soft skills, and absent but implicit conversations. All these concepts will be linked with the story that will be reflected upon.
A deep dive into the world of fast food, and the new change was moving from customer service, which, is my strong point, to the world of cooking and preparing the food. Let the burns commence, the pressure fold, and the battle of chicken ensue.
Some Context
The main thing that changed was the technique used to satisfy customers, the main people involved was the manager and I. The main thing that occurred was a conversation with the manager and how I want to be cross trained. The result of this, contrary to E. Rensi, who believes that technological innovation have made jobs easier, made me more diverse in skills, and improved my reputation within the workplace. The main strength I found was my ability to work hard, and used my extroverted asset to get out of any bad position. The main resources I had was my voice and my team around me.
Yes, Be A Softie
One of the challenges that has been taught that interest me is the adaption of soft skills. The adoption of making quality food, in a team and exploring and agreeing on something collectively and individually, according to Dixon and others. Which focused on making the best fast food. One of the main soft skills I learned was working in a fast pace manner, and delivering food on time but a challenge was the harsh conditions in which I was working in at some points.
Emotional Damage
Working in any environment can produce so many emotions. In the case of me, the main emotions were those of hunger, thirst, hurt, and annoyance. Especially when there was a lack of staff and I had to overwork without breaks. This can easily be described as ‘emotional labour’ which is discussed by A. Hochschild in which unpaid work is aimed to keep others happy. This is definitely apparent in that workforce as I learnt to ‘suck it up’ and just work to make more money for the already billion-dollar company. This type of pain at work is also something many other people experience as well, as according to, I. Poggi and M. Germani, lots of workers also feel hurt at work. This emotional experience was one of the key reasons I left the place of work and this ‘emotional labour’ was never really dealt with within the workplace and is one of the key challenges faced during this time.
I Remember This
Remembering this conversation with the Manager has helped with the professional identity I try to remember, especially as Michael White discusses this. Michael White also explains that economic discourses invite people to review their achievements to get personal credit. The personal credit in remembering why I acted in a way of hurt and hunger, but still pushed myself was for the simple reason of wanting an income and pushing myself for the future jobs I could have. Going outside of the boundaries of my extroverted nature, says that I want to try many things and not just stick to the basic routine. The strength to push through was instilled by my hard working ethnic parents who worked hard to come to this country and deliver a great future for my siblings and myself. Using this lens helps see a future of forward thinking whether I make choices to navigate bad emotions, by simply thinking positive thoughts and being grateful in the position I am in. This type of mindset helps me in all types of events in life, which becomes applicable in a work scene.
Wrapping It All Up
Conclusively, the strengths used in the workplace help the future professional and general manners of life. These strengths are corroborated with Michael White’s concept of re-membering conversations which was reflected through the story of work which I had to explain. Using downfalls as a way to pick myself up, and thinking of my parents is a key way to think and approach any future implications that might occur in a professional sense.
Bibliography
Dixon, J, Belnap, C, Albrecht, C, Konrad, L,2010, THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS, ProQuest, New York, https://www.proquest.com/docview/751644804?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true
E, Rensi, 2018, McDonald’s Says Goodbye Cashiers, Hello Kiosks, Forbes.com, viewed 24th August 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/edrensi/2018/07/11/mcdonalds-says-goodbye-cashiers-hello-kiosks/?sh=3ef007746f14
I, Poggi, M, Germani, Emotions at work, ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Isabella-Poggi/publication/228721774_Emotions_at_work/links/5545cacc0cf24107d397c7a8/Emotions-at-work.pdf
M, White, 1997, Re-membering and Professional Lives, Dulwich Centre Publications, https://supervision.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Re-membering-and-professional-lives-by-Michael-White.pdf
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