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Leave Your Boss In A Defensible Position ...
May 9, 2023
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Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Here we are in an ever-changing business that revolves around the latest technology, changing belief systems, and redefined business practices. All of this, and in 2023 why would anyone not sign a contract with someone who values them and is willing to make a signed commitment to that fact? This programmer stalled without reason, and it almost cost him. His inaction spilled over to some of his daily workplace stuff. I had an interesting conversation with him.
PD: I got some strange news today.
Coach: What?
PD: I got written up for having poor managerial skills.
Coach: Your ratings have been good for a while now. It's more than that, what's going on?
PD: All of this is being stirred up by the Community Relations Director and one of the jocks.
Coach: None of this makes sense, what's the deal?
PD: Well, she has been here for 12 years, and the air talent just likes to complain all the time. And as for him, nothing is ever right.
Coach: Is this the first time you have been written up?
PD: No, over five years this is the third time, but never for this. I was told that I don't contribute enough to marketing meetings.
Coach: What is the community person doing in those meetings?
PD: She used to be the promotions person and sales still wants her in on things because they feel she is necessary.
Coach: Okay, and how does this connect to her, this air personality, and you getting written up?
PD: The jock hates change. Every time I give him something new to do, he starts complaining to her and she heads right to the GM.
Coach: I must be missing something.
PD: I know it sounds crazy, and oh I forgot to tell you ... two weeks ago, I got an e-mail memo from the GM on what a great job I was doing. Now he gives me this.
Coach: This whole thing sounds strange. Is there anything else you haven't told me?
PD: They gave me a new contract about four weeks ago.
Coach: They did? Now I'm confused, you are all over the place. You started with internal problems, now you're telling me about a new contract.
PD: But I haven't signed it yet. I just don't know. Maybe they're going to fire me.
Coach: I'm still working on you not signing your contract yet. Is there a problem with it? Did they offer you less money or something?
PD: No, the contract looks good, and they even gave me a small bump up in pay. I've been meaning to sign it, I just haven't yet. What do you think, should I sign it and hand it in tomorrow?
Coach: Based on everything what you just told me, yes. Honestly, this managerial write up thing might be the General Manager just irritated with you.
PD: You think so?
Coach: As smart as you are, I can't believe you don't see this. Not signing is like saying that you might be looking to leave. Did you forget that your General Manager has a boss somewhere up the corporate food chain ladder?
PD: I guess this write up has me not thinking clearly.
Coach: I'll say this again, I think your General Manager is upset with you for not signing your contract yet. I really don't think you're going to lose your job, but please sign the contract and get it back to the General Manager ASAP.
PD: As I multitask and talk with you, I just got an email and they gave me a performance criteria guideline, and it says I just have to follow it. Well, that takes care of the complaint.
Coach: All I can say is that your station sounds like a circus. Now sign the contract and apologize for taking so long. Meanwhile, try and make peace with this community relations person and as far as the air talent is concerned, get his butt in line, and start looking for his replacement.
PD: Gotcha.
Don't Make Things Harder ...
There are a lot of things that seem minor, like signing a contract and handing it in on time. Little things are important and should not be overlooked. Sometimes little things lead to potential big problems. If you don't already, start prioritizing before you wake up one day and there's too much to take care of in a reasonable amount of time. It's especially important if what you don't do reflects on your immediate supervisor. Leave your boss in a defensible position.
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