What you do is make decisions. Plain and simple…decisions. You may manage a project, design a connection detail or cofferdam, develop a unique polymer plastic, or method for injection molding. You do these things, but it takes you making decisions to do them. Whether to approve the change order or not. Whether the bending moment is calculated correctly. Who to present your new polymer plastic concept to.
If what we really do in our jobs is make decisions, then we might want to look at what decision’s we’ll be making in a potential future job. What types of decisions, breadth, impact, level, authority, and magnitude. Will the decisions be new to us, forcing us to grow and depart our comfort zone? Will we be making the same decisions we make in our current job, just for a new firm making a different amount of money?
What you really do in your job is make decisions. That’s what you get paid for, what gives you experience, what leads you to greater responsibility, teaches you how to lead effectively, and ultimately gives you satisfaction.
Be certain to know what types of decisions you’ll be making in the job you’re looking at. Otherwise, you may have to decide that what you’re really doing in your job is going through the motions.
“A lot of people don't want to make their own decisions. They're too scared. It's much easier to be told what to do.” Marilyn Manson
Christian Knutson, P.E., PMP is a leader, civil engineer, and author. He’s an accomplished professional specializing in A/E/C work internationally and author of The Engineer Leader, a recognized blog on leadership and life success for engineers and professionals.