Realistic Perspective versus Emotional Reaction
Pros
The team culture, the potential for career growth, and fringe benefits are among the best aspects of the job. The collaboration efforts are impeccable when it comes to supporting & covering one another through fast-paced and tedious tasks. The company's growth has been accelerating despite the looming recession. The perks are uncommon in the current job climate- most companies were offering less attractive compensation packages and were hiring far less qualified team members back in January (which makes everyone's job more difficult, IMO). I was hesitant to take this position because of the possibility of working with the CEO, and now here I am- working consistently (often daily) with the CEO. I have experienced his blunt feedback, a vast difference in our personal opinions, and his sometimes eccentric methods. I am a minority woman, and I surprisingly, haven't experienced any insulting, misogynist, or prejudice language being used by the CEO or leadership (which is now a very diverse group). I feel a certain perspective and distinct personality type is required to mesh with the culture at Amida. It is fast-paced, high-volume work (at least for my position and most of the company's varying roles as I understand). This means being highly organized and using a combination of skills, diligence, and strategy means the difference between successfully balancing your position & personal life or feeling exhausted and emotionally reactive. I was navigating a very dark time in my personal life when I joined Amida early this year, and I was making consistent mistakes while my work was piling up. I thought for sure that I would be fired and the CEO, as well as other members of leadership, provided me with direct feedback. It was to the point but insightful. At first, I didn't agree with everything that was presented, but an honest reflection and review of self-accountability helped me to use the criticism as fuel to overcome my personal and work challenges. I'm now very happy in my role and see the CEO in a totally different light. In my honest opinion, he believes in the work Amida does, he genuinely cares if the employees feel satisfied and he is committed to every single individual being in alignment with the company values. The excellence he demands is for good reason and if you had worked for a Lockheed, a government agency, or in another high-achieving corporate environment, you'd understand that's what sets them apart and why it's difficult to get a position with the company.
Cons
It's not the culture for everyone. Many folks say they love authentic leadership and want to be in the top of their field, but the fact is the training & dedication it takes to get there is not always easy or ideal. A great coach doesn't always speak softly or to your preference, but an effective coach speaks with authenticity and demands excellence. You set your working hours and are responsible for managing your schedule in a way that you can complete deliverables in a REALISTIC amount of time. I can't stress this enough! Being a team player means you're honest about your personal capacity to take on tasks and that you communicate when you need more time or more support to execute. This means ALL the difference in whether you will feel supported and appreciated here. You have to be focused and vocal to maintain a pleasant experience. It's a growing company, so internal processes are still being structured which can cause delay & frustration, but this company is a very solid pioneer in its industry, and I can tell those that have been here for years are certainly around for a reason. Where I'm from, there are many talented people in the hood, but they may never see their goals realized due to their personal perspectives & attitude.
