Movin’ On Up…

Michael Pollnow—Odyssey Medical Group

Odyssey has several employees who serve a dual role in the organization. They support our customers using their technical expertise and they also provide management oversight to Odyssey employees who are onsite at the customer location. That is the case for Mike Pollnow. He is currently a Task Lead for seven Odyssey Acquisition Specialists supporting Odyssey’s Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) contract in San Diego, CA.

Mike joined Odyssey in April of 2017 as an Acquisition Administrator and was promoted to Task Lead in July of 2020. Mike enjoys being the direct contact to our customer while also supporting the Medical Group with special operational requests when required. His time as a Task Lead has opened his eyes to how the manager’s direct and positive input to his team can make a difference. Mike enjoys his current role and looks forward to future management opportunities with Odyssey. Below are some insights Mike has shared with us related to his role at Odyssey.

What was your first role at Odyssey?
I was hired on as an Acquisition Administrator. It was an entry level position that allowed me to learn the basics of Government contracts and the lifecycle from Pre-award documentation to closeout. It really opened my eyes to how Government contracts work and what goes on behind the scenes.

What inspired you to want to become a manager at Odyssey? 
I was always looking for an opportunity to grow into a management position eventually as I was a supervisor at a previous job working at a motorcycle dealership. After a couple of years in the Administration position, and then another year of moving into an Acquisition Specialist position, a job opening for a Task Lead position came up, so I went for it. I was skeptical at first if I truly knew what I was getting myself into, but here I am over 3 years later, and it’s been a great learning experience.

What is the most inspiring part of your job as a manager for Odyssey?  
The most inspiring part of the job is working with my team and having the autonomy to do what works for us. It’s great to have the support of Odyssey and know they are there for us, but since we work with our customer very closely on a day-to-day basis, we have to work around what they need from us. I think Odyssey understands this well and has been supportive of us to continue to operate how we see fit for the customer and our team. It’s very refreshing to have this from a company.

Who mentored you and inspired you to grow into your current role? 
I was mentored by a couple of prior Task Leads. I didn’t feel I was ready for a management role up until my 3rd year with Odyssey though. The Task Lead before me I think really gave me the confidence that I was ready to move into the position. He mentioned that he saw I had the ability to take on this role if I wanted to and that was when I took it more seriously. I would also say that a couple of my fellow employees inspired me to take on this role as well. Having them stand behind and support me I think solidified the choice to go for it.

What attributes did this person display to make you want to become a manager? 
He showed a level of trust and confidence in his team. I liked his style of management. He was “hands off” in the sense that he provided us the autonomy to perform our daily work tasks as we saw fit, but also offered his support and feedback, and would follow up on tasks to make sure we were on track. He would also ask questions on processes or topics he didn’t know and would discuss ideas for how to accomplish something or if there was a better way of doing it. I felt that was a great way of managing people as he took input and bounced ideas off us first. I think that played a role in how I wanted to manage a team if I had the chance to.

What is your definition of an inspiring leader?
Since we are talking about the business world, my definition of an inspirational leader would be one that understands and listens to their employees on what matters to them and what needs they have to motive, inspire, and empower them to become a better employee. A good leader will be able to understand and help you find and develop your purpose, and then inspire you to step out of your comfort zone to achieve that.

What advice would you give to someone at Odyssey if they want to move into a management role?
I’d say if you have a desire to move into management and the opportunity presents itself, then go for it. Sometimes as people, we let fear of the unknown dictate our decisions. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to become better. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish.