Am I Crazy or What?

Trotafox

I’ve got a problem with my boss that is driving me nuts. [>:(] We differ drastically in our approach to problem solving and it is affecting my everyday life on my job. It's to the point where there are times when I wish we could part company. I just want to know if I am being unrealistic or unreasonable under the circumstances.

FOR COMPUTER GURUS: Rather than go through the details on this thread of the problem that opened a hornet’s nest at work, I’ll post the computer problem on another thread. Perhaps someone has an answer. See thread “NEED COMPUTER GURUS”.

FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING IN CORPORATE MANAGEMENT, the computer problem is a symptom and not the real cause of my frustration. The REAL underlining problem that I need help with in general is as follows:

1. Is it better to be determined and get to the bottom of a problem NOW so you don’t have to deal with it later and go through the whole process again (when everyone else has conveniently forgotten the details of why you are having the problem in the first place, thereby making you look like you’re complaining again)? OR

2. Is it better to solve a problem temporarily and deal with solving it later if it rears its ugly head again? After all, it may go away…ha, ha and we just don’t have the time to spend on it. I’d like to see Boeing service technicians try to get away with this approach. OR

3. Say “forget it” because working in this dept. is a hopeless case and go with No. 2 which is what by boss wants to do? OR

4. Get a new job.

I would like to encourage those who have experience in corporate management to E-mail me. There is much more going on in the background relating to the Department and I’m hesitant to post it on a public chat board.

Thanks a bunch. [[[hugs]]]

Trot

"Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love".... Aristotle. You can love and obey Christ without intervention from an organization.

GentlyFeral

Haven't opened the "computer guru" thread -- I'm not that kind of geek -- but for the personnel stuff, try this site:

* http://www.workdoctor.com/

Gently Feral

seven006

Trot,

This is a hard question to answer because of not knowing the source of the problem. Problem solving is relevant to a particular problem unless your boss has a specific theory of management that encompasses all situations. If he/she tries to ignore the details of a problem with a blanket approach like "I am the boss so do as I say" you are in for a long time battle with a close minded person.

If your boss is trying to help you learn a different approach to problem solving than you have now and is trying to help you learn than that is a different story. My management style is to listen and teach. At times there is more than one solution to any problem. An employee working directly with a circumstance might me more aware of individual problems than the boss who is just overseeing the project.

I always encourage people to take notes when discussing a problem. That way if the problem continues to come up you will have a record of who said what. Also note taking can show that you are interested in properly resolving the problem and it makes the person you are having the problem with take notice and maybe adjust an unshakable stance.

1. Deal with each problem as they arise. Keep notes and refer to them if a similar problem arises. Letting a problem fester to be a larger one is always a recipe for disaster.

2. Again, this all depends on the problem and it's level of priority in the over all big picture. Some problems solve themselves while others don't. Making mountains out of mole hills can be a major problem in itself.

If you continue to have a problem with your boss it may be more than interpretations of individual problems but more a personality conflict. If your boss doesn't like you, you don't have a lot of choices. If you do decide to seek other employment I suggest you do it while still retaining your current job. The economy still isn't the best right now and good jobs are hard to find.

Take care and good luck.

Dave

Trotafox

Dave: You're talking to the documentation champ here. Five people have left our Department because of my boss and the Co. in general. One more just turned in their notice yesterday. They all loved their jobs. My boss likes me. I like him. We all like him. If we were neighbors, we'd be great buddies. Professionally speaking, he can't manage his way out of paper sack and is making our daily lives miserable. I'll E-mail you with more details.

GF: Thanks for the site. If I feel like getting out a gun, I'll make sure I check it first.

Trot

"Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love".... Aristotle. You can love and obey Christ without intervention from an organization.

brodark

It's a trick question! My answer: first #3, then #4 when they least expect it. I read your Computer Guru thread and declined to tell you (since some folks would disagree and this might cause more friction) that your entire problem was that the originals were in Word Perfect (now THAT'S an oxymoron! ). Try converting all of your stuff to PageMaker documents. Then snap the boss's neck and take his parking spot. You'll feel much better.
Glad to be helpful.
BD

mgBD

jayhawk1

Trot, did you get my picture I sent you? I hope you got it.

"Hand me that whiskey, I need to consult the spirit."-J.F. Rutherford

Jeremy's Hate Mail Hall Of Fame.
http://hometown.aol.com/onjehovahside/ and [email protected]

Flip

Trot, is it possible for you to troubleshoot the problem on your ‘own time’, using subterfuge if necessary, in the effort to compile a record of ‘the fix’?

Armed with this corrective procedure you can apply the solution as you wish, calmly and professionally while everyone else is scrambling and looking like idiots when the inevitable problem reappears.

Flip

Trotafox

Brodark: Don't know if we have PageMaker. I'll ask. Bodily Harm: I feel like it sometimes. I vent here instead.

Jeremy: I sure did. With your wife and daughter (and her teddy)? Adorable. Ya'll look like a very happy, happy family. I envy you. Thanks so much for the pic.

Flip:

...Is it possible for you to troubleshoot the problem on your ‘own time’, using subterfuge if necessary, in the effort to compile a record of ‘the fix’?

Ever heard of the expression "She's like a puppy with a root" when researching a problem? That's how my best friend always described me. Writing policies and procedures and identifying administrative problems are my forte. Been doing it for 37 years. There's a lot more background to this situation. I'll send you an E-mail if your E-mail is open.

Trot

"Wicked men obey from fear; good men, from love".... Aristotle. You can love and obey Christ without intervention from an organization.

jayhawk1

The teddy bear was just a prop, because she kept opening her legs and we didn't want to see her underware in our picture. However her new grandparents and great-grandparents have spoiled her with many gifts, including teddy bears. I am glad you liked it.

Is this a light saber in my pocket or am I just happy to see you?

"Hand me that whiskey, I need to consult the spirit."-J.F. Rutherford

waiting

Howdy jayhawk,

The teddy bear was just a prop, because she kept opening her legs and we didn't want to see her underware in our picture.

I wasn't reading really close, finished the thread, then clicked out, then your sentence sunk in..........

you have NO IDEA how odd that sentence is without going back and rereading the post you're replying to.

I would assume your speaking about your daughter, not your wife?

waiting

Am I Crazy or What?

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