That's not part of my job!

Growing up, one of my chores was to do the dishes on certain days of the week. A particular day of dishwashing stands out in my mind: after I had done the dishes—completing this chore the same way I had done for years—my father insisted I wasn't finished. "You haven't wiped down the counter!" Passionate argument ensued, with no resolution.

The next day I went to my mother, full of righteous indignation. After hearing my side of the story she said, "Well, it doesn't seem unreasonable for wiping down the counter to be part of doing the dishes."

I don't remember what was said after that: I was overcome by a feeling of dumbfounded shock. No one had ever asked me to wipe down the counter. I was upset at being scolded over a responsibility I had not agreed to; it had never crossed my mind to consider whether the task was reasonable.

At work, I will soon have some authority (although not supervisory) over a number of other employees. Gaining cooperation can be a tricky task; I have heard many supervisors compare their job to parenting. Perhaps memories such as the dishwashing incident will help my management techniques at work.

I hope I'll do well. I'm excited to have the opportunity to try.