One Managers Journal

This is the real life journal of a manager I know. To read what this is all about, start here.

To comment on these entries, or ask questions, go to the Management Forum and post in the folder titled "Journal".

Number 7

Today, after feeling our way for past three weeks and my busting my butt on two new projects for the past week, we had...THE UNVEILING. That is, we all learned what our areas of responsibility would be, what new skills we're expected to learn, etc. The office was abuzz with excitement. Most people couldn't wait to find out what wonderful things lie ahead.

Of course when the suits (I'm a manager, but not a suit - there's a difference) spend the first 30 minutes rationalizing and darn near apologizing for what they are about to reveal, gotta know it can't be good. CAN YOU SAY "GUILT", BOYS AND GIRLS?

No poker faces this time, as the plan is read. People are disappointed, shocked and saddened. And not doing a good job of hiding it. All I can think is "Wait a minute... Why the hel* did we spend the last 60 days identifying services, competencies, customer needs, areas of interests and skills, etc. only to have six people (most of whom had NO understanding of our culture, our work processes, our business goals/objectives...two of whom obviously had their own agendas) come up with this plan of operation?"

So this is what it feels like to get sucker punched in the stomach. OUCH! To think, just 30 minutes ago, we were all so happy and excited and enthusiastic. Now, I feel like I'm watching a really bad movie. I'm the unknown actor who gets killed in the first scene. My co-worker whispers "They really value your talent...Look how many projects you have." She obviously values QUANTITY over QUALITY.

Now I get it. Wish I'd paid more attention in Management 101. Let's see if I got this right. Good managers reward bad employees with pay increases and decreased visibility (decreased work, which is what they want anyway)...mediocre employees with pay increases and plum projects...star employees with more work. Now that I think about it, that makes sense. They know the star employees will always give 110% IN SPITE of themselves. They can't help it. Why reward them?

Yep. It's all clear. No, we don't have any questions (not that we'd ask in open forum). Can we go now? I had to get outta there as soon as the meeting was adjourned. I just couldn't stay and make nicey nice small talk. And with the suits approaching me one by one asking "Are you ok? How's the plan sound to you? Isn't this great? Are you comfortable with it? Have any concerns we can help with?" I'm angry enough to do something I haven't done in two years...cry.

Of course, I well up every time I see Lion King I & II and Imitation of Life (particularly the Claudette Colbert version). But, I actually found myself sitting at the stop light at a very busy intersection bawling like a baby. I couldn't stop; that is until some redneck blew at me and followed it up with some undistinguishable hand gesture. I don't think he was waving. O.K. You've purged. Now snap out of it!

Ooh, there's the mall. I'll just buy some new shoes. After all, tomorrow is another day.

Continued.......

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