Path Finder

This is a lovely name – “path finder” – which my manager, J., gave me a few weeks ago during our celebration after getting our new supplier’s approval after almost 1.5 years. Another colleague received the “pioneer” award. We both are happy with the new names given to us.

This was an assignment we got aside from our daily work as business developers, a long journey with many challenges… and we know there are still many stones ahead to be lifted. The good thing is that we have our team, and my manager has always been by my side to support me. I couldn’t have achieved this “reward” without their support.

I have been doing this since my previous job as a sourcing and purchasing manager. I needed to find a path for the company, which meant finding new suppliers based on our needs. The only difference is that my previous manager called me “Hunter.” “Path finder” sounds calmer and more peaceful, which exactly reflects my current journey with my present company.

In the past, it was a very competitive, quick, and aggressive environment. There were days I wished for just a few seconds of peace and calmness, but problems always came suddenly. I can’t remember how many days I cried silently and out loud or how many hours I worked per day. I was always hunting; we were always hunting and sometimes fighting even.

However, without being a “hunter” in my previous company, I wouldn’t be a “path finder” today. It just evokes memories for me. I started building my competence where my managers, P. and manager of manager, A., had faith in me. I sometimes doubted myself when projects didn’t go as expected because my background wasn’t in sourcing. They had different ways to encourage me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. There were many things I thought I could never complete, but we did in the end. So, “never say never.”

That’s where I learned how much I love turning challenges into opportunities. If things come too easily, it doesn’t feel as rewarding either. I want to cut through the brush myself, with our team, to find the new path. It could be a hidden gem yet to be discovered. At least that’s what I believe.

Later, when my suppliers are more stable, I will hand them over to other teams and start finding a new path, as my manager asks me to “hunt” for new ones. I can’t remember how many new suppliers I started with in my previous company, but it was enough to earn a referral letter from the Vice President, who was also my manager’s manager at the time. The most important to me is that from A. He is someone I admire, who is busy enough at that top management position, but still cares deeply about the small things for people who are under his umbrella.

Handwriting

When my manager handed me the “path finder” award, I told her I love and appreciate the handwriting card she gave to us, and she said her handwriting isn’t very good. Mine isn’t either.

In Vietnam, there’s a saying that your handwriting reflects your personality. I think it’s correct in some circumstances and for some people. For example, our “pioneer” has very good handwriting. She probably writes every word nicely and patiently, all in good shapes. Reflecting on that, she is a very thoughtful and careful person. When she meets or sees someone, her first question is always about them, showing her care. These are qualities I always admire in her.

However, while it’s nice to have good handwriting skills, it doesn’t matter if you don’t. As long as you write something, I feel you put love and effort into writing it, even just a small paper note. Another colleague shared that her manager, M., also had Christmas gifts for the whole team, but what she remembered most was that he wrote by hand a personalized card for everyone, not just “Merry Christmas.”

I have kept a little note in my wallet for some years, given to me by my team members when I left my previous company.

That’s why I also try to keep this habit – writing postcards and cards to my closest friends, mainly during my travels. However, to be honest, sometimes I can’t even read my own handwriting:”>

There’s also a real and funny story that my colleague told me a long time ago, also about handwriting. She was in a long-distance relationship (LDR) with her ex-boyfriend for many years, and he often ordered flowers for her. The flower shop always sent flowers with handwritten cards. It was such a lovely gesture. Many years later, when she married her current husband, who was also in an LDR with her for a few years before marriage, he also sent flowers to her, coincidentally from the same flower shop. One day, she got home and rearranged her stuff, finding all the handwritten cards from the flower shop, including those from her ex-boyfriend, they all had the same handwriting. LOL. She was laughing, and we all laughed. The same guy wrote the cards for her on behalf of both her ex-boyfriend and her husband, and for many years without recognizing that.

***

Again, I am a “path finder” who loves handwriting. I promise to improve my handwriting so at least my friends can understand my thoughts through these handwriting words. And I am happy to be a “path finder.”