Today marked the sixth month Derin had been working as a customer support staff. It had been great being a part of this organisation but she was beginning to feel really bored everyday she came to work, it was the same routine. Once in a while, it got exciting especially when she had to deal with clients’ conflicts. Other than that, it was either she was giving scripted instructions about how to install their products or helping the clients troubleshoot their device. She was beginning to wonder if this was what she really signed up for!

Unknown to Derin, her boss Jadesola had been observing her for the last six months and was highly impressed by the professional way she handled all the client issue tickets that came to her-even better than the people that had been at that role before she joined the team. Derin had never missed a day and even when it was obvious she needed time off, she still gave it her all.

Jadesola had hinted the Human Resources department that it appeared that an exception would have to be made on her team as concerning the length of time it required for the confirmation of a new staff. In an ideal situation, it was recommended that the staff had to have spent nine months on the job before he or she could be confirmed but in Derin’s case, Jadesola sensed they were underutilising her and the only way to add on to responsibilities was to make her contract a permanent one. She remembered today marked the sixth month of her stay and thought it appropriate to finalise the accelerated confirmation that same day.

Harrison had noticed something was bothering Derin – so when he had the opportunity, he moved over to her desk and asked her if she was okay. She said it was really no big deal but he was not convinced as they had been friends for about five months. He kept probing-hoping she would open up before any of their phones rang.

While Harrison was digging, she was wondering if it would be a good idea to share what was going on in her mind especially since they were still at work and she did not want anyone overhearing them to misunderstand her plight. 

After much persuasion, she blurted out that she was bored and that she felt she could much more than what she was currently doing. Harrison’s first reaction was to give her a heart-warming smile. Then, he went on to say that he understood. He had joined the company about a year ago and it took him just three months to become bored with the position he was initially occupying when he started. 

At this point, he had gotten her attention. He explained that the boredom dragged on into the fourth month until someone close to him noted that his productivity had begun to drop. When he was questioned, he explained what the issue was and the response he got was to find a purpose in his role at that point in time. Derin was paying rapt attention and her brain had begun to sort out what her purpose was.

For one, she enjoyed serving everyone that called or came over to the office and she was always very fulfilled when the client ended the call or visit very satisfied and happy. She just felt she could do much more. Without being asked, she had started collating and running a research on the clients’ preferences and how their follow-up could greatly benefit the company giving plenty of room for the use of client-generated resources for marketing and referrals. All these she had been compiling outside her business hours because she had identified opportunities for the organisation to grow.

Harrison was highly impressed by what he was hearing and as he was about to tell her how impressed he was, Derin’s intercom rang. Jadesola wanted to see her in her office immediately. They both wondered if everything was all right.

On getting into Jadesola’s office, she was asked to close the door and take a seat. Derin settled in nervously while Jadesola concluded what she was doing before she arrived. She could hear the printer working next to her but she paid no attention to it as she was still wondering why she was summoned. When the printing was done, Jadesola asked her to please pick up the document and read it. Proceeding to do as she was told, she was utterly shocked to see she was holding in her hands her letter of confirmation and a transfer to a new role as a Customer Support Research Staff and a thirty-percent increase in her pay.

For a few minutes she just kept staring at the document. She could feel the hot tears rolling down her face but could not find the words to express her thoughts. 

Suddenly she realised Jadesola had been asking her if she was all right. All she could do was nod and laugh. Jadesola went on to tell her that in the last six months she had consistently produced exception results from her table and some clients had given her a very high rating. 

One of the clients had even reached out to one of their executive directors detailing how impressively she had handled and resolved her issue in record time. The deciding board as concerning confirmations thought it right to immediately put her highly recommended skills to action. She was the pioneering member of the Customer Support Research Team and she had the free hand to choose two more persons she knew she could work with to achieve the targets for the department as stated in the document she was holding.

Derin was so overwhelmed-just when she was voicing to Harrison if only she could do much more. Her increase had come to her where she was faithfully serving and giving more than required. She was grateful to God that He kept her going and that He had sorted her out in a way she would never had dreamed about. Amazing!

Her change was closer than she knew!

Browse Collection

Uhunoma Onuk

Uhunoma takes joy in encouraging and supporting everyone she is connected to. She believes that one can really become the person they want to be, build that person and grow in their chosen path.

She really enjoys journaling, writing and designing. When asked, she would tell you Ï’m the KING’s Daughter, the Prince’s Wife, Mother to Amazing Children, an Author, Business Enthusiast and a Love being!”.