Nevertheless, working as an employee rather than as a business leader required quite a shift in mindset.When running our own business, we were answerable only to each other and we did not have a boss among us.
But at my new corporate job in the online brokerage firm, I had to constantly remind myself where I fit within the team, and I was not at all familiar with the work processes or the corporate environment.
I found adapting to the office schedule quite challenging at first. The need to stick to working hours is vastly different from the freedom to choose my hours of work I previously enjoyed.
On a personal level after having worked with some of my best mates in my previous job, getting acquainted with my new colleagues was another challenge I had to overcome due to my introverted nature.
We were also in the midst of the pandemic when I joined the company. This meant that I was limited to virtual interactions with colleagues and I could not simply approach people with my many queries.
Thankfully, transitioning into that mindset was inevitable but not particularly tough because of my previous experiences doing internships at other companies.
I was also very blessed to have had a manager that was willing to take me under her wing and guide me on the right path.
Over time, I’ve come to realise that no matter whether one chooses to be self-employed or work under a boss, we all desire to be trusted and understood, and to feel empowered to take action and make decisions.
After all, everyone shares the same goal in getting the work done.