Solid gold takeaways from my five years at Pomegranite
By Melissa
September marked my five years at Pomegranite and it got me thinking about my colourful journey as an employee, from little 14-year-old me trying to earn some extra pocket money at the local stationary store to new product development at a dairy manufacturer with my best cousin (don’t tell the other 44) to Pomegranite (and a whole lot more in between).
What stood out for me the most is how I was conditioned (bamboozled?) to believe work had to follow a certain formula and how Pomegranite has changed my perspective. And with that, the invaluable takeaways – for both work and life – which I’m grateful for over the last five years, some of which I’m sharing below.
Show your appreciation
Whether through our ‘good-vibes’ Slack channel, team member shout-outs during a check-in or Liz and Sarah’s famous line at the end of a one-on-one – “You’re doing a great job!” – it’s so wonderful to see how far recognition and a thank you can go.
Be human
There’s a fine line between work and home life and we can’t ignore the impact the one has on the other. Being able to have open conversations about the parenting juggle, mental health and, let’s be honest, adulting, goes a long way in creating space for the team when it’s needed most.
Take a walk
One of the best things to do when things are feeling fuzzy is to move your body. When needing to make a big business decision, Liz and Sarah decided a call was needed – but with a twist: a walking call, outdoors, giving themselves the space to think clearly and allowing nature to work its magic in providing clarity.
Have some fun
Team check-ins might not feel possible when there’s a lot on your plate, but it has turned out to be one of the best ways to forge connections – especially as a remote team. We share our highs and lows from the week, any book or movie recommendations, feature cameos from our little ones (both human and fur) and have a good laugh in between (we’re all really funny btw).
Set boundaries
This is something that always feels a bit scary at the time, but has been a game-changer in the quest for work-life balance. The one that has made the most impact for me is the rule that once we log off, responding to emails or messages is a no-go. Switching off is a necessity.
All of the above said, work is work and some days are still tough – I mean, life right? (Cue the chorus of Des’ree’s ‘Life’.) But there are some days I’d like to shout from the rooftops that my team is so much better (and more understanding, thoughtful, supportive and kind) than yours – without rubbing it in anyone’s faces, of course. Ok, the Monica Gellar in me would like to rub it in just a little.