I love variety so I’ve had many jobs in the past – I’ve been a papermaker, a chef, a carer and a handyman to name but a few. I always fancy trying something different so I move on to new things. I have a young family so I needed to find a more permanent role. I was keen to find a job to suit me and that I would keep with.
In January 2020 I found a great job, with much variety. I work in a local grain and seed supplier so depending on what season it is there’s lots of different things to get involved with. My jobs include running, fixing and maintaining a processing plant, reporting to management, fulfilling orders, loading lorries, mixing seed products and receiving goods. It’s a great fit for me. I got the job just before the March 2020 lockdown but luckily I was able to continue to work.
Bridget recommended the Men’s Programme to me as a way to build my skills and be successful in this new role. Following a chemistry meeting with Ken, where he explored more about me and my needs, I signed up. Our first workshop was back in September 2020, still in the realms of social distancing, so we all had masks on!
The programme wasn’t what I expected at all – I thought it would be like a work event geared towards helping me with my job, communication etc. It did start a bit like that where we all introduced ourselves by the job we did. But actually, it was much more personal and introspective – we were looking at ourselves to understand how each of us ticked.
I was quite surprised that we could all be so open – it was good to talk and listen.
We looked at what shaped us; for example how our parents raised us, how we responded to that and how we then treat others – it was very insightful.
Using the Myers-Briggs tool, we looked at our interactions with other people and learnt to understand why we and others act the way we do. My partner and I are complete opposites in one context – I’m a thinker, and she is a feeler. The programme helped me understand how we’re different which has helped bring us together well and impacted positively on our relationship.
It also helped me understand my boss and team mates more. Whereas I sometimes behaved like a bull in a china shop, I’m now more confident in what I’m communicating and therefore more considered about what I’m going to say. If I think we should do something differently but others don’t, I will present my idea clearly rather than just jumping in to make the change. I won’t impose it but will present it clearly so that they understand it and buy into it before the change happens.
It’s the first time I’ve been in a group of guys in this environment and we’re talking about things that I haven’t talked about or heard before. I know that I could talk to the group about anything, which is great. The programme has definitely been worthwhile and my family life and working life have both improved as a result.