Pioneer Feedback

I had a meeting with the System-wide VP of Innovation the other day. He's an accomplished fella whose already had his turn at running hospitals, CEO-ing a few laboratories, and solving most of the world's problems. He possesses a wealth of information and I appreciate his exacting opinions that are couched with humor and understanding.

After we met to discuss the system-wide grant we are collaborating to write for the system (Elvis threw me under the bus in volunteering me for this one...it's 25 pages just for the Letter of Intent), he asked me how things are really going. Candor is a big thing for me and I greatly appreciate leaders who are candid in their answers and expectations. So I laid it out for him...the hours, the calendar chocked full of meetings, and the feeling that I'm producing so much and I'm truly in a thankless job. Pausing to breathe, I braced for the verbal reprimand I was sure would ensue.

As I un-winced, I noticed his appraising look veering my way. After a few seconds, he announced that I'm an administrator without a portfolio. Basically, I'm living the administrator life without the fancy "C" title, prestige, or hefty paycheck (both of which motivate people beyond belief!). He promised me that my full calendar is a GOOD thing and if I were an administrator-in-training without being so busy, something would definitely be wrong. He encouraged me to keep my energy level up, persistence strong, and to keep doing what I'm doing (I interpret this to "just keep swimming"). He acknowledged the long hours and the feeling that, to truly get anything done, one must work into the evening and night hours on a regular basis.

Sigh.

He called me a pioneer. I will accept that at face value today!