To Those About to SoSa, I Salute You
Are you planning to participate in the next cycle of SAP Social Sabbatical (SoSa), or perhaps a similar program? As my team enters our last week, here are a few pieces of humble advice …
Take the pre-work seriously. Attend the calls, and if you can’t avoid missing one, be sure to listen to the recording later. Complete the required assignments. Get engaged with your teammates and your clients (as soon as you learn who they are). Get excited — you’re about to go on an amazing journey and make a difference!
Just listen. You’ll have a lot to learn about your assigned organization, especially during the first two weeks of the Sabbatical. So clear your mind of any preconceptions you may have, and listen to what your clients are telling you. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions if you don’t understand — that’s part of active listening! You may want to take notes, or you can ask permission to record any interviews. The information you are gathering in the early stages is invaluable!
Yes, it’s hard work. It seems safe to say that anyone accepted into this program realizes they aren’t about to go on vacation. But you may be surprised by the challenges. It’s not only about the amount of work — it’s about the new ways your brain will start churning! But this is work you will enjoy, especially in the beginning discovery phase, as you build camaraderie with all your new friends. Enjoy this precious time!
Leave your real job at home! If you’ve been accepted into this program, then you’ve also been advised you are expected to leave your real job behind for one full month. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that you actually do so to the best of your ability. So give this gift to yourself of a month to focus on something else. You’ll be delighted to see where your freshly uncluttered mind takes you!
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. The first and/or second weeks can leave one almost delirious with a mix of joy, bewilderment, wonder, ideas, and hard work! You will meet brilliant, dedicated people who have done amazing things. So I want you to know that if you catch yourself thinking, “Wow, how can I possibly help?” that is normal. What you don’t realize is that your very presence is helpful on its own. The things you know, the experience you have, and your open mind all combine to show your client the new thought pathways they were seeking. After all, that’s why your client signed up for this program, isn’t it? They want to learn from YOU! Your experience is unique to you — no one has lived your life but you! So don’t despair. You and your client are gaining new ideas from one another every day. If you doubt me, take time to chat with your colleagues. It’s likely one of them has similar feelings.
Give your teammates your support, but also, give them their space. Check on one another, lean on one another, and accept one another. Sometimes, you may find some need time and space to themselves. Others may be more social and want to hang out with the group all the time. Sometimes, little sub-groups will happen, dedicated to different interests. Everyone is different — what a beautiful thing!
Conflict is natural. Conflict is not a bad thing — it’s a natural part of life. When it happens, take a deep breath. Try to step into the other person’s shoes for a moment, and ask them to try and do the same for you. Listen carefully and ask questions to get to the heart of the matter. Avoid attacking the other person, but instead use statements like, “When (A) happens, I feel (B).” Ask, “How can we work this out together?” If you get really upset and need a moment to yourself, say so and ask to pick the conversation up again 10 minutes later. And remember, a sincere apology can go a long way.
Get to know the country while you are there. The places we visit can both give, and become, incredible friends. They can teach us lessons we carry with us for the rest of our lives. More than that, if you truly want to understand your client’s mission, you must seek to understand the land in which they live and work. Make this understanding a major part of your journey!
