Tribute to an exceptional boss

I have always known that I am a soldier more than I am a general. I seek to inspire and influence positively. Being responsible for the performance of others is something I am simply not built for. As a soldier I am, however, the ultimate ally and the pure definition of loyalty in team spirit. I will greatly contribute to a harmonious work environment by remaining positive through turbulent times. I never give up and am believing in the good of others until proven crap. Those are what make me the ideal soldier in a given team. That being said, I do know a person who is the perfect general. The kind who got to know her soldiers well and poured her heart and soul into her work. An exceptional manager who surprised even the most unbelieving; rallied our troop and turned us into shining stars ready to take bullets for her any day of the week.

For any team to be successful, you need two main ingredients: 1) awesome team members and 2) an amazing boss. For the past four years, that is exactly what my team was made of. Sure, no team is ever quite perfect. However, ever since this new leader was hired, a synergy existed amidst the practice because her values and style  were perfectly aligned with those of the team.

Here's what makes her the incredible general that she was.

Despite all of our significantly different personalities, she was able to reach out to each and everyone of us and make us as one. Young as she is, her maturity is beyond her years and this is an element that inspired us all. Rational but never ignoring emotions, she remained calm during emergencies and knew exactly how to ground us and orchestrate all instruments for us to play harmoniously through the storm. Recognizing talent, she is a natural born mentor as she gently pushed us out of our comfort zone and trusted in our capacity to conquer. She also knew when to shield us and when to let us battle on our own in order to grow. She heard us and gave us a voice. 

Unfortunately (for me), her time with us has come to an end as all good things eventually do. And while it is selfishly not something I wished for, I know better as a career counsellor but also as a human, that it was inevitable. It is only normal for such a talented individual to continuously outgrow her shell and recognize when it is time to move to a bigger one that will enable her to reach her full potential. Having an entrepreneurial streak, I have no doubt she will conquer other challenging goals and continue to leave her mark in the world as she did in mine. I have learnt a great deal from her and thank her for all she has done for our team. I wish her the best of luck in her new endeavours and know she will be successful. 

Thank you NL for the passion you showed us, it reflected our own and I am forever grateful.

My heart will recover but until then, I will let Sia sing the rest...

Ivana x

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