For the past seven years I worked with Intel as an Operations Manager. It was one of those things I really didn’t talk much about much.
For those who know me well, the words Operations Manager and Mike paint a picture of a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. It Just doesn’t work!
So how did I get there in the first place?
How I Got There
Before I joined Intel I was working for a start-up that wasn’t making too much money. A buddy of mine, Joel, suggested I come and work as an Operations Manager at Intel. I would work at night, work 12hr shifts which would provide me with 3 0r 4 days off each week. The thought was that I could make some money and work on my entrepreneurial ventures on my off days.
Eight years later, I was still working as an Operations Manager.
I did learn a lot in and outside of the office during that time but one main lesson was the fact that I was wasn’t put on this earth to be an Operations Manager.
Employee Advocacy To The Rescue
At about the seven year mark of my tenure with Intel I was approached to be part of a newly formed employee advocacy program (they actually call it an ambassador program). I found the offer funny and scary.
It was funny because this was a case of life imitating art. Outside of work, I was already building a brand around, “Ambassador Bruny.”
It was scary because I really didn’t feel a connection to the company and didn’t see myself as someone who is very technical and could go around talking about GHz and such. Lucky for me that wasn’t what was required.
I took a chance and realized that the more I did in the role as an ambassador, the more I appreciated the company and it’s mission to “Enrich the lives of everyone on the planet with our technology.” That mission was something I could get behind and something I could get up in the morning for.
Before and After
Before the ambassador program I would drive to work, park my car, take out my bag and leave a piece of my soul behind before I started my shift; I just didn’t feel I could bring all of me to work.
After the ambassador program, I brought more and more of myself to work.
If you don’t have an employee advocacy or ambassador program, I suggest you get more going. There are a lot of employees who want to bring more of themselves to work. I was one of them.
If you need help getting your employee ambassador program started, don’t hesitate to reach out. I actually went from one of the ambassadors to working exclusively on revamping the program.
3 Key Lessons From My Story
- Many employees are untapped resources. ENGAGE THEM
- Many employees do their work day in and day out but are not connected to the bigger picture. CONNECT THEM
- In the words of Albert Einstein, “Everybody is a genius, but if you measure a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life thinking it is stupid.” SHOW THEM THE POSSIBILITIES
As always, my goal is to help you, Run The Point (Take Action) from where you are, with what you have.
signing out, your Ambassador
Mike Ambassador Bruny
