How You Learn to Overcome Your Hatred of Making Phone Calls

There are few things I am certain of in my life, and my hatred for making phone calls and picking up the phone are among two of them. My parents and my brother will be the first to agree with that statement, and so will anybody having lived in the same place as me with a connected landline telephone nearby. I won't go as far as saying that I would not pick up my mobile phone when it's ringing (because hey, who knows maybe someone is calling to tell me that I have won Rs 1,000, 000? Or well maybe not) but I don't know why, fixed-line has never been my thing.  

So, when my mentor gave me a list of people to call, I was suddenly on the defensive mode and definitely not ready for that kind of commitment. In more sincere words, my inner self was practically crying her eyes out (see image below for an accurate visual representation of how I felt).  

But then, what could I do? Saying, "Sorry ma'am, I just don't like making phone calls, could you do it yourself?" would not have been a smart move. Especially if you consider the fact that she was the boss and I was the trainee. With the little willingness left in me and a strong sense of duty, I picked up the phone and looked at the flow of numbers on the paper she gave me, praying they would magically disappear. I fumbled through my first phone call, the second wasn't brilliant either. My usual high-pitched voice would turn into an inaudible flow of words once the phone was anywhere near my face. By the time I made a fool of myself after the fourth phone call, I knew I had to take the matter under control ASAP.  

I realised that after each phone calls' disaster, I would replay the conversation in my head but in a version where I would have introduced myself correctly, spoken clearly and audibly, and given all the necessary information to the receiver. So, I decided to write down what I needed to say to the receiver along with some answers to the potential questions which might come up. I have to say that it turned out to be one of the greatest ideas I had. As by the time I struck through the last name on the list, I have gained much more confidence and conversation would flow without me giving a glance to the 'talking points' I have scribbled down earlier. I could now handle the phone calls with much more ease than before and though I'm still not a big fan of making phone calls or picking up the phone, I have learnt how to deal with them and make better phone calls.  

This to say that this little experience has made me realised that I would not always be given the tasks I am most fond of. At times, I would have to deal with the most unpleasant tasks, things which I may totally dislike. But then I can't just turn my back on the things I don't like, instead I would have to take a step back, look at the big picture and try to come up with the best way to deal with it. As with every problem comes a solution!  

At the office, with the laptop PwC lent me for my internship and with my PwC notebook.

The cubicles at PwC, and at the far left is one of the meeting room

And you fellow interns, were you given tasks you weren't a big fan of? Share your story with me!

Elizabeth. 

P.S: I'm going to hire a secretary once I become a PR professional. Maybe two? In case one got sick and can't come to office. 

Insights from the New Kid on the Block

Truth be told, being the new kid on the block is always a bit of an adventure: unknown territory, new rules & regulations to abide, strangers to befriend with along your path.  It’s a whole new world, a whole new dynamism to get used to.  

Interning in one of the Big Four (audit firms), PwC, I knew beforehand that I would be dealing with professionals in their fields. Having previously worked as a sales person during my summer holidays for the past three years, the changing pace of working in an office was quite striking. If you’ve asked me after my first day work which one I preferred, my response would have been ‘Salesperson, of course!’ without a second thought. I felt home(/job)sick: missing the quick pace, the constant need to be alert, and most of all the interaction with the people. The latter was the hardest to get use to:  the silence. It’s the kind of silence you only find in posh areas and top workplaces (because obviously everyone is too busy working on their laptop, to chit-chat).   

But now, if you asked me which one I preferred, my answer would be different. I guess the transition period from one environment to another is always the hardest. The whole new process of being “the new kid on the block” and being outside my comfort zone, has inevitably built my apprehension.  

As a future PR practitioner, I knew from those first few days that I needed to work more on my capability to adapt to new environment quickly. Even though I am known for having quite an extrovert personality, working in the PR field requires that you connect with people around you, much quicker than the average person. There is no time for shyness or for individualism. The latter I have learnt by noting a synchronicity among my mentors. The Marketing & Communications  department comprises of only two individuals who work on anything ranging from marketing matters, internal communication, media relations to event management. You would say, how could only two people handle so much especially for a hotshot company like PwC? And this is when you discover the whole power of teamwork.  

From the short time I’ve been there, the thing I’ve been appreciating most is this team spirit which is always present, found even in the other departments of company. I get to value even more the importance of working in team and seeking help from others. Without any surprise, I found that one of the three key values promoted by PwC is teamwork. 

I look forward to learn more about what make a person shines in his job. I want to know about the little things that will make a big difference in one’s job. But in the meantime, I bid you farewell fellow interns as I have to wake up early tomorrow morning for work. My bed is calling me!

Elizabeth.