Our Differing Perspectives and Going Forward on Your Journey

While I was going through my garden this morning, I thought about a conversation with a colleague. I encouraged the person to participate in activities and events outside their scope to stay on the radar for promotions or other opportunities. My colleague responded that prior performance should speak for itself. I also understood that perspective.

I also reflected on a recent post by Joan Underwood that she shared about relationship building blocks. Joan related that an action she took, which most persons consider good practice, was not well received by a colleague. She complimented a team member during a meeting, but the colleague preferred a more subtle form of recognition.

As I considered Joan's post, my random thoughts included:

1. I need to be more considerate of my colleagues' feelings.
2. Have I been getting too involved in activities outside of my scope?
3. Can we rely on past experiences to propel our future advancement?
4. Have I been too pushy to colleagues?
5. How can we continue to foster a development culture?

While I understand my colleague, I think that continuing to get involved in activities outside of your job description is helpful once your work does not suffer. Since I re-joined the Public Service in the British Virgin Islands in 2009, I have participated in numerous activities. I am very thankful for the opportunities because I achieved a Master of Public Administration degree and my current appointment. I serve as a testimony of the benefits of getting involved and stepping outside of my job description.

I don't expect another persons' journey to be the same as mine. Everyone develops differently, has different backgrounds and ideals, and has varying values. The nature of your area of work may bring opportunities within your current job or for entrepreneurship. You have to continue your journey.

What has worked for me?

• knowing when to say no
• being open to working outside my job description
• being open to learning
• making connections within my agency and outside
• remaining professional
• remaining customer-focused
• trying to take others on the growth journey
• treating everyone with respect

Continue to shine in your area. If you get an opportunity to share your talents in another area temporarily, try it! If you struggle in your area, ask for help or development, or consider asking for reassignment. You may not be the right fit for that role, and it is okay. Look for those growth opportunities on or off the job, and always do your best!

POEM: The Christmas Debate

When you read my bio on my blog, I introduce myself as mother of two, poet etc. I am an HR Professional at heart because I love developing people. However, I need my creative outlet which is my poetry. I connect with nature through my garden which is my afternoon and weekend delight.

I wrote this poem, "The Christmas Debate" a few years ago. I performed it for the first time at the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School for a Christmas Concert. Then, last year, I decided to contribute to the tart wars by sharing it on Facebook. In the BVI, we love tarts which are traditionally filled with either pineapple, coconut, guavaberry or guava. We have enhanced our culinary pursuits and have added soursop, carambola and other flavors.

View the video and let me know what you think. I don't just debate tart but other Christmas traditions that we hold dear.

The Christmas Debate

https://www.facebook.com/lrabsatt/videos/10221119133382369
Written and Performed by LA Rabsatt
Instrumental by Keishaun Julien 🇹🇹
Produced by Anthony
**No tarts or tart lovers have been harmed in the production of this video**
I do not own the rights to this music

A Random Thought: Do You Love What You Feel?

I think that when Chaka Khan and Rufus sang, "Do You Love What You Feel," they were focused on love and passion. However, I realize that it is deeper than love - it is life. When you enjoy what you do, you excel.

As I review my career, I feel I am more settled today. However, I am not at my ideal. When I was immature, I would call in sick or be tardy. Then, I would seek another opportunity. I was young with no obligations. I was not stressed or unhappy.

Today, I have children and bills, so I keep pushing. I work hard, and I do extra. I earn a better living than I did before I had children. But, I am not at the ideal. So more obligations have brought a better salary but more frustration.

COVID-19 has opened opportunities for learning and growth. Yet, I leave the training sessions and resume duty feeling more frustrated because I can not implement what I have learned. Let's compare this to the itch that one cannot scratch.

I listen to many persons say, "just be thankful that you have a job." I think our managers/leaders should be thankful for us! While they can't pay financial rewards due to current challenges, saying thank you is never out of style.

I said all of the above for a reason. I need to love what I feel when it comes to my career and personal development. I love learning, my colleagues, our opportunities for growth, our creativity, and our potential. So I think my frustration is that I don't love the frustration/confusion. I want to love my path and vision.

So today, I pledge to love what I feel. I promise to correct what I can. I agree to walk away before I let toxic relations affect my mental health and my behaviors.

I have to love what I feel, whether relationships, my career, or my interests.

Do you love what you feel?

Have You Ever Heard a Colleague Cry on the Job?

Have you ever heard any employee or colleague cry? Earlier in my career, I would never fathom this in a professional setting. More recently, I have teared up on my job, and I have witnessed others break down. So what is happening to us? Are we so scared to speak up that we internalize these stresses until we break down?

In the BVI, we contended with the 2017 hurricanes, and since March 2020, we have struggled with COVID-19. Could the impact of these traumas cause us to become more emotional and sensitive? Are our leaders becoming less caring and empathetic and so outcome-driven that we break under toxic work environments?

I am no expert and have no answer. However, I know that we are struggling. I often feel like I am stuck and frustrated. I feel unable to meet some objectives - not because I am incapable but because of a lack of proper systems and human and technological resources. I will not tear up for this. However, I get angry, especially when other areas achieve their goals and receive facilities. I vent when I see leaders wasting resources that we can use for greater efficiency.

I have come close to tears when I become empathetic. Working in human resources is not for the light-hearted. I often need to pull away and rejuvenate. As others unload, I process and try to help. I know I cannot take on everyone's burdens, but I often provide a shoulder and support. The worst experience I have had is hearing someone plead for a different opportunity due to an unpleasant working situation. I could not help. I often wonder what I would have done if I were in a similar circumstance.

Considerations are different for everyone, and although we see bright and beautiful faces in our workplaces, many persons are hurting. COVID-19 shifted our normalcy into remote learning and work, unemployment, short-term and long-term effects of illness, loss of loved ones, and disconnection to loved ones. We struggled in July and August 2021 when the territory lost 36 persons to COVID-19. Living in a small community brings these tragedies closer because we know many persons or their relatives. It was a difficult time.

Let us consider persons dealing with work and personal stresses simultaneously. While only a few talk about it, mental health remains a concern. I continue to remind you that we are our brother's keeper. Until we emulate brotherly love over perfection in a workspace, we continue to endorse toxic work environments.

I encourage persons to seek professional or pastoral assistance when they become so emotional. I often retreat to my garden with music to destress. We all need an outlet, and I encourage you to secure yours - and make it enjoyable!

ribbon

POEM: When the Music Hits You

when the music hits you

skank

wine

dip

and even if you trip

shake

twist

jump

pump your fists

wiggle your hips

jiggle your arms

move

like love kissed you

turned you around

and surrounded you

with peace

and happiness

feel the vibrations

capture the moment

with movement

off or on the beat

move your feet

release your fears

and when the music hits you

skank

wine

dip

and even if you trip

shake

twist

jump

pump your fists

wiggle your hips

jiggle your arms

move!

Ⓒ Linette Rabsatt

POEM: A Better Life by Linette Rabsatt performed at the 2021 World Food Day Ceremony

This is my latest poem, "A Better Life," performed for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' 2021 World Food Day Ceremony. You can view the full ceremony at https://fb.watch/8IuzJpDSVW/

POEM: Intense Analysis

Some say I came from an ape

then I was like sheep to slaughter

enslaved and treated like a mule

to work like I had no value

other than being a tool

to make a next man rich

then I became a goat

and I broke the barriers

jumped the gate

and escaped

modern days today

and now I am back in 

sheep mode

falling for the criticisms

bad information

pretty much enslaved

mentally

while some say

the sheep mode

is good because Jesus

saved the 100th sheep

who was lost

while some literally

treat me as a horse

as a debate rages on

really and truly

I want to be more like a bird

flying free

or like a bee

a pollinator

but after all

we are humans

supposedly the highest order

but more living

in disorder

jealousy, hatred

and maladministration

in the age of information

we have regressed

lost that progress

from the supposed 

ape age

the primintive time

when we were resilient

and more silent

how will we find

ourselves again?