Message #54548

[npsadmin]

Thanks for all the replies.

To answer the obvious questions:  I love my job.  I love the company I work for.  I have been here just over 2 years and was recently promoted to a higher level - same job, more money.  Benefits are second to none.  And for the most part, I have a really good boss.  There are several occassions in my present position and in past positions that I could have changed jobs and I did a lot of soul searching to make sure this is where I wanted to be and what I wanted to be doing.  Job satisfaction is not the issue.

My frustration is in the fact that: 1) He couldn't give me anything concrete to go on, nor did he have any suggestions for changes that should be made; and 2) Why am I responsible for changing my behavior to meet other's perceptions when their perception is just plain wrong?  Why can't I tell someone it really isn't raining outside when they insist that it is?

It is one thing to present issues and let people know about problems.  It is quite another thing to humor other employee's grumblings and complaints by passing them along instead of setting the record straight then and there.  He did not suggest to the complainers that they needed to come to me if they had a problem with me or my work, nor did he stick up for me and my work, which is consistently above reproach.

I am all for solving problems and moving forward, and I am happy to take responsibility for my mistakes, and do on a daily basis. I have been an Admin for a long time.  I know I have to adjust my work style to fit those that I support.  But this issue seems to go beyond that.  

Lessons Learned:  I cannot "vent" to anyone within the company.  Everything goes back to my boss and the other Admin in our dept., who promptly whines and complains to everyone else in the dept.

I like the idea of documenting everything.  That, along with not talking to anyone in the department about anything other than business, and even then keeping it incredibly professional, will be two new practices.  

Any other thoughts on dealing with perceptions vs. reality are welcome.  It is always good to get input from those who have "been there and done that."

LL