Two Strengths That Allow Me Not to Refuse Work.

広報
Feb 24, 2023
4 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

— The Importance of "Having a Margin" —

Infrastructure Solution Department (N.M)

Please tell us about your work.

I am dispatched to a major energy company and work on-site as a contractor. My responsibilities include managing mobile communication contracts and overseeing call center.

How do you feel about your work?

Honestly, I have never really felt stressed at work. There are two reasons for this. First, I have a personal policy of "never refusing a task." Second, I feel a sense of self-efficacy because I am entrusted with important responsibilities, which motivates me to do my best.

Can you elaborate on your "no-refusal policy" and sense of self-efficacy?

Regarding my "no-refusal policy," I unconsciously adopted it from a senior colleague at the first company I worked for, who always followed this approach. To avoid refusing tasks, I realized it is important to always keep some flexibility in my schedule. Therefore, I have come to focus on continuously improving work efficiency to ensure I can handle any task that comes my way.

As for my sense of self-efficacy, I believe it comes from the trust clients place in me, they allow me to determine the best approach to solving a problem. Of course, results are important, but because I am not pressured to follow rigid instructions such as "it must be done this way" when gathering information or experimenting with new approaches, I'm able to respond freely. This freedom allows me to enjoy my work and feel confident in mu abilities.

Please share an example of how you improve business efficiency.

For example, tasks such as managing client's mobile communication billing and handling requests for loaned devices were previously processed using paper-based forms. To streamline these processes, I transitioned them to a web-based management system and electronic payment methods. As a result, this not only reduced the workload for the client but also streamlined my own tasks, allowing me to work more efficiently. At the same time, it created more flexibility in my schedule. Having this extra capacity, in turn, gives me the "margin" needed to take on additional responsibilities from the client.

How do you approach new challenges?

When I face a challenge similar to one I've handled before, I draw on my past experience and reach out to colleagues who seem knowledgeable. I also actively look for others who might have relevant expertise, and of course, I do my own research using Google.

For completely unfamiliar challenges, my approach is largely the same. I ask people who appear to have the right expertise and look things up to Google. Even if I haven't worked with them before, I sometimes approach them based on their reputation or name. When I encounter technical difficulties, I can consult my manager, who is a great source of support.

What motivates you in your work?

The moments I feel the most sense of accomplishment are when the specifications or documents I submit are approved on the first try. It makes celebrating with a drink afterward all the more enjoyable.

Also, when I feel balanced and not overly stressed at work, I can interact more patiently and kindly with my children, and it helps the whole family stay happy and smiling. I like to think that "being happy and smiling" is also good for your health and appearance, so it's like hitting two birds with one stone!

What skills do you consider essential for your job?

In my case, I believe writing skills and communication skills are essential.

By writing skills, I mean being aware of who will read the documents and using clear, simple language that anyone can understand.

As for communication skills, you might think they are not necessary for administrative tasks, but they are actually very important when facing new challenges, because you need to collect information and consult with others.

How do you work on developing these skills?

I make a conscious effort to keep learning, both during work and outside of work.

For example, in online meetings, I try to make communication more engaging by using quizzes or surveys to gather input. I also enjoy exploring tools and apps that could support this, thinking about whether they might be useful in my work. Searching for interesting tools and imagining how to apply them professionally is something find fun, it's both a way for me to enjoy my work and a reflection of my curiosity. At the same time, it can inspire others and help me better understand the people I work with.

In my personal life, I serve as a committee member for my child's graduation activities. While preparing memory books and farewell gifts, I have discovered an image-editing app that can remove photo backgrounds, and I think these tools could be very useful for creating professional documents as well.

What are you interested in right now?

There are still many tasks and processes that clients don't need to handle themselves. I want to act as a point of contact to take ownership of these tasks and resolve them proactively. I always try to create a "margin" so that I can respond to any kind of inquiry, but there are limits to how much I can handle on my own. My goal is to create a structure that consistently maintains this "margin". To achieve this, I would like to expand the team of colleagues I work with.

Please share a message for those reading this!

If you have any work-related concerns, please feel free to consult with me, and I will help find a good solution together.

One of my strengths is that I always keep a "margin" to support others in this way.

I also learned a lot from Ms. M about how to stay clear and practical motivated when improving work efficiency!

Thank you so much!