Transcript
FEMALE SPEAKER
So as we previously discussed, I'm at a crossroads now in my career, and I can go in one of two directions. I could stick to what I'm doing now, the project management, or I could do something different, which is to start managing people more and perhaps get to the point where I have my own team. Which I think sounds like something I might be interested in actually.
MALE SPEAKER
It's tough though, to be in a crossroads. I mean, I remember myself, when I was at a career crossroads - it's probably 20 years ago now - but it really took me ages to work out what I was going to do. And I thought about things like, you know, am I going to go down the people management route or just the project management route? And in the end, I made a really clear decision actually that I was going to go down the project management route.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Right. Did you?
MALE SPEAKER
I did. Yeah. Yeah.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Oh, OK. Yeah, it is a bit confusing thinking - because I know what I'm doing now, and I'm familiar with it, and I'm good at that. Is it worth running the risk of taking on something really challenging, which in the long run could end up being good.
MALE SPEAKER
It sounds to me as if you're a little bit lost and confused here? And that's what I'm getting from you.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Right. Really?
MALE SPEAKER
I mean, is this something which is a pattern in your life?
FEMALE SPEAKER
Um, I hadn't thought of that before.
MALE SPEAKER
Well, I'm definitely getting a sensation of you being a bit blocked here, you know, a bit lost. That's how it's coming across to me.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Oh, oh, gosh. OK.
MALE SPEAKER
So I think, you know, you need to get a bit clearer in your thinking, actually.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Right. I need to get clearer. And I thought I was getting quite clear. I was...
MALE SPEAKER
You're talking about going people management for a professional route?
FEMALE SPEAKER
Yes. OK. And perhaps that's not such a good idea for me.
MALE SPEAKER
Personally, I don't think that's a great idea.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Right.
MALE SPEAKER
People are very difficult to manage.
FEMALE SPEAKER
I guess I don't really have the qualifications either.
MALE SPEAKER
Well, that's right. It sounds like you might be deluding yourself actually a little bit.
FEMALE SPEAKER
It's a bit of a dilemma to be honest. I do find myself a bit worried about making the wrong choice.
MALE SPEAKER
Yes. And lost, worried, confused. You know, this isn't sounding like you're in a good head space, is it really?
FEMALE SPEAKER
Oh, right. Perhaps not.
MALE SPEAKER
So I've got a few ideas anyway as to how you could sort this through.
FEMALE SPEAKER
OK. What do you think I should do?
MALE SPEAKER
Well, I think it's about getting really focused thinking to begin with. And, you know, if you take my advice, you would really abandon the people management route. I'm not sure it's suited for you.
FEMALE SPEAKER
OK.
MALE SPEAKER
That's what I think.
FEMALE SPEAKER
Right.