The truth is I do network
Feb. 20th, 2015 05:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vicarzI have yet another EEO case by someone who is clearly mentally disturbed. They actually declare they are smarter than everyone around them, though there isn't much evidence to support their theory. Many work in small towns and their isolated experiences show through their accusations - expecting the FBI to burst in the doors and investigate whether a manager in a slaughterhouse does drugs, or smokes indoors, seems to show a general lack of perspective. This makes my job both easy and entertaining, though it doesn't make the complainant feel any better. I try to figure out what makes some of these people tick as knowing that makes it easier to predict and beat them in litigation (sooner, faster, cheaper) but I also try to pass along observations - super low pressure and beyond my obligation - to try and help them see other perspectives that might leave them less angry.
I hate to dress and act like an adult. I don't wear pants when I don't have to (fuck winter). Shirts without cute designs piss me off too. What I hate worse than that is social networking, linkedin up close and personal. I will not-hit people in the office and do not think my obligations extend beyond that.
Though I do network, it's just what I do is not for the purpose of networking. I just talked to yet another frustrated manager who can't believe that such a raging nutjob gets to generate so much work for allegations that are obviously not true, important, or legal. I've dealt with similar complaints before, and can give fairly honest explanations for why things are this way, what we can do about it, and for the huge waste of resources I sort of sympathize without agreeing that the problem needs fixing. I have to cool them down, because with anger comes the risk of showing frustration - and there are cases where an email stating "this is really frustrating" has been called discrimination. So I try to do the best I can to win them over, or at least see another side to why the process is the way it is. I'm not sure they buy it, but they do seem to calm down. Perhaps it's because I first listen to them; perhaps because I give suggestions about how to handle it. By the end though, I have a work-friend who feels supported and understood.
I have a huge advantage for having worked in this Agency since 2002 (two thousand fucking two man, wow). I know our culture sure, I know our industry, and I can talk our language. Bigger is the fact that every District Manager in the country knows who I am - I'm not sure they all like me, but they've all seen me work for them (usually stupid looking hours as they see me on the road). While the DMs are fairly removed from the day-to-day, I also know many Deputy DMs, front-line supervisors, and regular managers and employees across the country. If anyone talks about me in a work group, somebody there is bound to know me and my work. I usually win. I probably get more credit than I should, an effect amplified by the fact I don't take much credit for my work. I mean what I say but the humility is often taken as evidence I'm stupendous.
I also say things "a certain way." When things are not a rush, I say "this isn't a rush." Crazy, right? When things are a rush, I explain why and give tips on how to make the work easy. I always end with "Do you have any questions for me at this point?" and always leave the door open to follow up any time. For someone that deals with sheer drudgery, I'm pretty nice and easy going.
The what or how isn't what I'm thinking of though - it's the why. I don't ease people's concerns because I have to or because it'll help me in my career - I just like to. I realize that by doing it, and the way I'm doing it, will impact my career here. But I don't work hard or send emails at all hours to be liked or look like I'm working hard - I do it because that's what I think I should do. I know I have created a reputation in this organization, and I'm often aware of how I act will affect that reputation, but it's not something I do to create the effect.
I hate to dress and act like an adult. I don't wear pants when I don't have to (fuck winter). Shirts without cute designs piss me off too. What I hate worse than that is social networking, linkedin up close and personal. I will not-hit people in the office and do not think my obligations extend beyond that.
Though I do network, it's just what I do is not for the purpose of networking. I just talked to yet another frustrated manager who can't believe that such a raging nutjob gets to generate so much work for allegations that are obviously not true, important, or legal. I've dealt with similar complaints before, and can give fairly honest explanations for why things are this way, what we can do about it, and for the huge waste of resources I sort of sympathize without agreeing that the problem needs fixing. I have to cool them down, because with anger comes the risk of showing frustration - and there are cases where an email stating "this is really frustrating" has been called discrimination. So I try to do the best I can to win them over, or at least see another side to why the process is the way it is. I'm not sure they buy it, but they do seem to calm down. Perhaps it's because I first listen to them; perhaps because I give suggestions about how to handle it. By the end though, I have a work-friend who feels supported and understood.
I have a huge advantage for having worked in this Agency since 2002 (two thousand fucking two man, wow). I know our culture sure, I know our industry, and I can talk our language. Bigger is the fact that every District Manager in the country knows who I am - I'm not sure they all like me, but they've all seen me work for them (usually stupid looking hours as they see me on the road). While the DMs are fairly removed from the day-to-day, I also know many Deputy DMs, front-line supervisors, and regular managers and employees across the country. If anyone talks about me in a work group, somebody there is bound to know me and my work. I usually win. I probably get more credit than I should, an effect amplified by the fact I don't take much credit for my work. I mean what I say but the humility is often taken as evidence I'm stupendous.
I also say things "a certain way." When things are not a rush, I say "this isn't a rush." Crazy, right? When things are a rush, I explain why and give tips on how to make the work easy. I always end with "Do you have any questions for me at this point?" and always leave the door open to follow up any time. For someone that deals with sheer drudgery, I'm pretty nice and easy going.
The what or how isn't what I'm thinking of though - it's the why. I don't ease people's concerns because I have to or because it'll help me in my career - I just like to. I realize that by doing it, and the way I'm doing it, will impact my career here. But I don't work hard or send emails at all hours to be liked or look like I'm working hard - I do it because that's what I think I should do. I know I have created a reputation in this organization, and I'm often aware of how I act will affect that reputation, but it's not something I do to create the effect.
