I asked my 9 interns to email someone in the company that they didn't know but aspired to be like. They did and a whole day went by without a single response and I could tell their anxiety was getting to them. I attempted to validate the activity and dispel any doubts by asking them what they sent in their emails. Some said they just sent an introduction and some said they asked for feedback about their projects and presentations.
One intern in particular said that she actually used the email as a forum to ask some questions. "Personal questions?" I inquired. "Uh yeah..." she responded in that sing-songy way that my 6th grade teacher used to hate (now I realize why). My curiosity endured however, and I asked her what kind of personal questions she asked. She replied "Oh just the basics: worst mistake they've made, what kind of animal they'd be, and the thing they like LEAST about their jobs"
I smirked at the new definition of "the basics"
A few days later, responses began to come in from their emails but the responses were not from who we expected. Apparently their questions ruffled a few feathers and their emails had trickled on down the corporate ladder via the Fwd button until they found their way to my intern's direct supervisors. One by one, they were pulled into respective offices and coached on the PROTOCOL of emailing people in Director/VP positions within the company. My cell phone rang and one of my bosses asked me to address them as a group and advise them to limit their communication to a "local level". I, in turn, advised him that he should come and communicate that information as our definitions of "limit" and "local" are probably very different.
I tried to just let it go. I tried to convince myself that it wasn't my battle, but I couldn't. I was in their position 2 years ago and I'll be damned if anyone ever told me to limit my communication. I'll be twice damned if I would've stayed with a multi-billion dollar company where "local level" was the only perspective afforded to me.
My interns inspired me. I emailed the very same people that they had been unfairly snubbed by. I decided to put it all on the line. I apologized that they hadn't gotten a chance to meet this wonderful group of bright students pre-Watergate email, but defended their brazen attempts to make a connection. I invited each of these prestigious leaders to their intern presentations in a few weeks and I ended each email the exact same way:
"There are times when it is completely appropriate to let your passion trump the protocol. These are the times when managers become leaders and when interns become future hires. I look forward to hearing your thoughts"
Their response came less than 20 minutes later.
"Let's talk...Give us a call on Monday"
Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes...
Wow. All I can say is BRAVO! I love to read or hear stories of young professionals sticking to their values and ideas and voicing their opinions. Your interns are very lucky to have you as their leader.
The only other person who I know who is as brazen as yourself is my mom but I equate her right to it since she has over 20 years of experience and more than enough reason to not be reckoned with. As a young professional it can be hard to gain the respect needed but you show that you don't wait for it, you take it. =^] GO KM!
Posted by: Tiffany | July 17, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Ballsy, girl!!!! I like it :-D
Seriously, good for you. "Leaders" should be available to talk to new staff. If I had ever been snubbed by one of my bosses (or other higher-ups) I probably would have started looking for another job. Passion in the upper-echelons of an organization has a way of catching lower staff on fire.
AND I dig the creativity in the "basic" questions from the intern, lol.
Posted by: Monica | July 24, 2008 at 04:32 PM