Learned Something Today

I did wonder if I should type this up or not, simply because it involves where I work and knowing my luck, I’ll probably be in trouble for it come sometime when it gets picked up. I apologise in advance because this text won’t make much sense because its probably going to be pure waffle but its better me typing this up than keeping it boiling inside.

Today (Friday), I learned something. Sticking to your morals, guns, principles, can win wars even if it looks like a hopeless cause. Today I had a mini war with my manager today, It wasn’t pretty, blows were traded in some sense but I came through it on the right side…which to be fair is very rare.

Recently within my workplace, I’ve been slowly losing motivation, the will and respect to do my job and to respect my superiors. Why?. It’s hard to explain via text, its better said face to face, but when you work hard to no reward and you see the slack folk getting away with things, its deflating. At this point, when you see nothing happening, you wonder; Whats the point?.

I don’t intend to have a go at people for the fun of it and wind them up, I do what I do in my way to show that working hard without sucking up to people, can get you places and that people like me, shouldn’t be pushed aside as one feels fit. This is the feeling I have had for weeks, if not possibly months at my workplace. I’ve not said anything because it always goes on deaf ears and you end up wasting your time.

So what is this all about?

Today I almost got forced by my manager (will not name) to have side by side coaching. I’ve hated side by side coaching and its always had a negative impact on how I work and has also done on previous jobs. It also makes me exceptionally nervous. I explained my reasons to my manager and he pretty much refused to take any of it in. Side by side coaching is good if you can learn something from it. Problem is, I never have. Also I find it an personal invasion of space because there’s hardly sufficient space at work on desks..having someone else next to you, whether its an stunning model or 6″6 basketball player, its something I can’t work with. I need space. I don’t wan’t someone in my face.

To establish my dissent against this and my concerns, I had to send a formal email to my manager explaining that if he chooses to ignore me and is adamant to side by side coaching, I would raise a formal complaint. Now this isn’t something I would take joy in doing, but If that’s what I have to do, then so be it. What got me down the most about this is that I had to send a formal email. The fact that he didn’t take me seriously creates an issue.

So what happened after?

It appears that my manager now understands my concerns. Why he couldn’t in the first instance, I have no clue. Now I have to have a meeting to delegate and see what can be done even when I offered a solution.Not really looking forward to this meeting, because I know more blows will be traded.

My respect for my manager has been rapidly going down hill almost to a point of a sub level temps of Russia. I’m sure he’s a decent enough person out of work, but work wise is a totally different ball game. My personal opinion is that his extra responsibility of late has put too much stress on him and its having an effect on the people who report to him.

Closing Thoughts

I’m happy that I stuck to my guns, regardless of how much trouble i’ve probably put myself in. Lets face it, I’m either going to be in trouble for typing this up or acting the way I did. Something will be twisted over to make me look the bad party. It’s how companies work.
If things improve, work relationship wise, then great, if they don’t, I know where I stand and as does my manager. Today I learned that if you believe in something and you have deep feelings about it and someone tries to get you down over it, fight for it, don’t let anyone push you over. Fight for what you want, its not going to be handed out to you.

Without some of my colleagues at work, I would have not only walked out a couple of months ago, but probably thrown myself off a bridge into motorway traffic!. Thanks everyone. You know who you are!.