The Journey Begins

Welcome to episode nr 1 of The Coffee Journeys Show: The Journey Begins

In this episode, Piotr Zagorowski shares his journey and the lessons he learned. Starting with how he got his first IT job, Piotr discusses the importance of self-belief and how rejection can be a powerful motivator. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. And this is my first step to share my journey with you!

He also talks about the value of being helpful to others and going beyond the scope of your job before sharing his experience of transitioning into a leadership role.

Listen in to gain insights and inspiration for your journey and discover how you can develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed in today’s world. Don’t forget to check out the show notes on the Coffee Journeys blog for all the links and resources mentioned in this episode.

Chapters

00:01:02 -> Hello
00:02:25 -> How Did I Start In IT 🖥️
00:07:17 -> IT Support To The Rescue 💣
00:11:30 -> Getting To Leadership 🌱
00:15:27 -> Links And Bio 🌐
00:16:01 -> Feedback 🤲

Your host

🧙‍♂️ Piotr Zagorowski @PiotrZagorowski
🔗 All my projects and links

Stay tuned

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🟢 Spotify
🔵 Google Podcasts
🟠 Overcast.fm
☕️ RSS

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Have a great day!

Transcript

Welcome to my podcast! In my first episode “The Journey Begins”, I will introduce myself, although this podcast will not be about me. I will be sharing some stories and the lessons I learned along the way. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. And this is my first step to share my journey with you!

The first IT job

The first story is about how I got my first IT job and the lesson on how rejection can give you extra motivation. I got interested in computers, Linux, and everything related to IT, and needed a real job to support my interests. I started working for cable TV as a cable installer and eventually moved to the back office, designing networks. We had to measure everything and then use AutoCAD to digitize it all. After some time, I got better and better with Linux, and I started doing the first email servers, originally for myself. I then presented the email server to my company, and they said there was no job for me in IT. But they eventually created an IT department and started offering internet over the same network.

I applied for an IT job, but I was refused. My director at the time said that computers were too expensive. However, I am grateful for that rejection because not long after that, I quit and applied for an IT role in a hospital. At some point, I became the head of the IT department in that hospital, but I could only do it because I had quit and because of that rejection. The lesson here is that sometimes a constraint can give you an opportunity.

Attending a call to a .. bomb

The next story is about the importance of being helpful to others, treating users like people who just need your help, and the lesson on how important it is to go beyond the scope of your job.

The final story is about how I got to leadership and the lesson on how important it is to be self-aware and able to lead yourself before you lead others. But first, let me tell you more about my journey to IT.

I started doing everything related to IT from scratch. I was self-taught and had no formal training. Finally, I slowly moved toward networking because Linux almost equals network, and usually, people who are good at Linux also do networking. At that time, there was just one-man-band, where you had to do everything.

Even when other people don’t believe in you, you should always be your own advocate and do what’s best for you. When I got rejected for the IT job, I was in my 20s, and it hurt, but reflecting on it, I realized that there’s always some good in everything. That was one of my defining moments, and I’m grateful for that experience because it gave me extra motivation to keep trying.

How Important It Is To Be Helpful To Others

Being helpful to others is essential, and treating users like people who just need your help is critical. I was working for a large organization, and I had to deal with a lot of users. One day, I received a call from a woman who needed help. She was not very technical and was struggling to understand what to do. I was patient with her and guided her through the process. When she finally figured it out, she was so grateful that she wanted to send me a gift. I declined the gift, but it felt good to help her.

It’s important to go beyond the scope of your job because it builds trust and respect from users. If you are helpful to others, it can lead to more opportunities for you, as well. You never know when someone will need your help, and being helpful is always appreciated.

The Journey Begins | How I Got To Leadership

I got to leadership through hard work and self-awareness. Self-awareness is essential because it helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. When you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can work on improving yourself. I started as an IT administrator, but I was always looking for improvement.

Importance of Being Helpful for Others 🤝

The next story that I shared on the podcast was about the importance of being helpful to others, treating users like people who just need your help, and going beyond the scope of your job.

When I was working as a network administrator at a hospital, I noticed that many of the users didn’t know how to use their computers efficiently. They struggled with basic tasks like sending emails, creating documents, and accessing files.

At first, I didn’t think it was my job to help them. I was there to manage the network and keep things running smoothly. But then I realized that if I could help them with their computer problems, they could focus on their work and be more productive.

So I started offering computer training sessions to the staff. I would teach them how to use the software and troubleshoot common problems. It wasn’t part of my job description, but it made a big difference to the users. They appreciated the extra help, and it made my job easier too because I didn’t have to fix the same problems over and over again.

Getting to Leadership and Being Self-Aware 🎓

The final story I shared on the podcast was about how I got into a leadership role and the importance of being self-aware and able to lead yourself before you lead others.

After working as a network administrator for several years, I was promoted to a leadership role. At first, I was excited about the opportunity, but I soon realized that it came with a lot of responsibilities.

I had to manage a team of IT professionals, set goals and priorities, and make difficult decisions. I quickly learned that being a leader was more than just telling people what to do. It was about being self-aware, understanding my own strengths and weaknesses, and being able to communicate effectively with my team.

I also realized that being a leader meant leading by example. I couldn’t expect my team to work hard and be committed if I wasn’t doing the same. So I made a conscious effort to work hard, be productive, and set a good example for my team.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my podcast episode with Pete Wietzkowski called “The Journey Begins” covered three stories from my IT career, and the lessons I learned along the way. From the importance of rejection and constraint giving opportunities, to the significance of being helpful to others, and being self-aware when getting into leadership roles.

I hope you enjoyed listening to these stories and learned something from them. Remember, even when others don’t believe in you, always be your own advocate and do what’s best for you. And when given the opportunity to help others, take it, as it can make a big difference. Finally, leadership isn’t just about telling people what to do; it’s about being self-aware, leading by example, and effectively communicating with your team. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. And this is my first step to share my journey with you!

Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to sharing more stories and lessons in future episodes of my podcast.

Thanks for reading!

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