Pros
I felt truly valued, this was in large part due to performing a necessary job and being the ONLY PERSON who knew how to do it and NO ONE wanting to learn. Was allowed flexibility due to nature of my job. Pay not so great, no room for growth no raises, but if good leadership could earn perks; likely not transferable if position transferred to new leader. Typically positive/fun work environment. I sort of grew up here, so below are 3 life lessons (maybe specific to Trib) that I take with me: 1. Make friends & contacts (but know the difference) - Be nice to all (inclusive), Happy Hour is no longer for drinking 2. Loving the work not your title - if you don't feel this way, get out (because if you hate the work, you'll lose the title) 3. In your boss you trust... if you don't feel this way by month 6; get out (because you never will & its mutual)
Cons
These may not all sound like cons... but are all lessons based on experiences I wish had not occurred during my employment: Tales of a Bad Boss: 1. Be Fair - Always - To Everyone - Employees really don't care if you look/seem cool 2. Learn Chess -- Thinking a few steps ahead will benefit everyone -- strategy isn't only for board games 3. Allow everyone to do their job - if you were going to do it, do ask me to do it - make up your mind 4. Just because you don't get it - doesn't make it wrong -- its ok for your employee to have an idea above you, DEAL 5. Its ok if you make a mistake, I think you'll find people can be forgiving -- be an adult; don't pass the buck 6. Favoritism - you aren't my favorite either, but I still laugh at your jokes - maybe look me in the eye ======================================================================================= Lessons from Tribune: 1. Your reputation is not enough - don't take credit for another's mistake - memory's are short 2. You are not in control - you will be only offered 1 option - you always have 2 choices (the other involves leaving) 3. Ask questions - Ask questions - Ask questions 4. Document - Document - Document 5. Save everything independently; become at least a little paranoid; its sad; but one day you will have seen enough and this will be a good idea, not the ramblings of a crazy person 6. if you don't trust someone - go with that feeling 7. if you DO trust someone - go with that feeling 8. If you find someone willing to teach you - find time to "hang out"; sadly there are fewer of these folks than you know; even sadder they are rarely your boss 9. Write thank you notes - write them often - write them for reasons you think are small trivial - write them by hand 10. Listen to advice - from loved ones - lectures on youtube are for learning a trade not how to live your life Your boss makes you or breaks you... but this isn't a Tribune thing... its a Life thing.