Meet the New Boss(es)

Let's start the month off with some hot-off-the press, officially official news: as of November, Mike and I will taking on the job of Co-Executive Directors of The Boston House. It is a huge move for us, both professionally and personally, and even though it seems scary in ways we haven't had a chance to lay awake pondering yet, we're excited for the opportunity and as ready as we'll ever be.

 

The announcement to the masses may be new, but since our current bosses were so kind and forward-thinking as to give us the heads up about their intention to retire more than two years ago, we've had a lot of time to get used to the transition and to soak up all their hard-earned knowledge. Believe me when I say that we couldn't have had better mentors, colleagues, friends than Peg and Andy. Though we and the families of The House will benefit from all they have shared with us, we can't touch the legacy they have established over the past 38 (!!!) years. This is not a matter of trying to fill their shoes, because that's just not a possibility. We can only take what we've learned and do our best.

 

The thing is, being in charge has never been an ambition of mine. In the entirety of my life I've literally had two ambitions: 1) publish my writing and, 2) have just enough money to do whatever I want whenever I want (which is usually literally nothing), which goes to show that I am not an ambitious person in general. I'm not giving up on those, though. The point is, when my bosses first broached the subject of moving up, I was like, well, I look forward to having another ED to work for. I thought I'd happily stay Assistant Director until the cows came home, because I'm just a stupid baby who don't know nothin about nothin! And the more time and space I had to think about it, the more it made sense. Even though it doesn't seem like the truth, I have been employed there for over 25 years. I kinda know my way around The House, I'm capable, and at the very heart of it IS the heart. I am so committed to the organization for reasons beyond a paycheck, and if I lead with that heart-sense, then what can't I do? Especially since I get to share the responsibilities with the partner who has shown to be a pretty strong teammate on the home front for a long time. We have different skills and temperaments, different wheelhouses, and we've been professional colleagues for the past seven years, so it's not like we don't know how to do this. Doing it together makes it all seem a lot less daunting.

 

I never meant to share a job with my spouse. I never meant to still be in the same workplace where I started right out of college. I never meant to still feel like I don't have clue how the world works most of the time, and yet. So much of my life and the decisions I've made have been the result of taking advantage of serendipitous turns, so why should this be any different? The way we arrive at them doesn't make these choices any less meaningful. I don't know what the future brings, of course. I don't know how to be a boss. Do I have to stop being a dumbass in my spare time? Do I have to lock down all my social media? Do I have to start being ASSERTIVE? I'm intimidated and worried and kinda shell shocked and none of those are good enough reasons to not go for it. So thank you all who have supported us all along and I hope we do you proud. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, your new Charlses in Charge (starting in November):

 

 

Comments

[Mary Berkeley]

CONGRATULATIONS DAWN & MIKE. I couldn't see any other dynamic duo than you two in this position. I've witnessed your commitment & passion & expertise. You'll be amazing. Hope to be back soon.

[Dawn]

Thank you so much, Mary! Hopefully we'll be seeing you in person in the near future.

[Megan]

Huge congratulations! My first thought after reading this was "she's totally got this!" :)

[Dawn]

Awww thank you my dear! XOXOXO