The value of compassion

This morning I had a meeting with my Account Executive. As I was about to leave she asked me to stay to talk about how she edits my work. I was obviously scared as I sat back down; conversations like this rarely turn out well.

I was pleasantly surprised. The talk went on to filled with empathy on her end. She said that she could tell I get frustrated with edits and that she could relate- she used to cry when her editor would change parts her work. She spent a great deal of time reassuring me that edits were simply part of the process and not a reflection of my value as a writer.

I left the meeting touched and refreshed. In truth, I hate edits. I don't hate them because I hate being corrected, I hate them because I don't like failing. My AE assured me that edits do not equal to failure, they're just necessary for everyone.

Since then, I've thought about how little people hear encouragement like this. School is so competitive and students who don't get straight As are not often told that they have potential. 

In my opinion, a firm functions so much better when people believe that they have intrinsic value. If you treat an intern like an intern, you will get intern level results. However, if you inspire people, like my AE did, you will probably get something greater than you expected.

I hope to some day be the kind of manager that my AE is. I know with a mentor like her, that's a good possibility.