Where to begin? It’s been a while and for that I apologize. I really haven’t felt like writing for the last month or so. I’ve been working some long hours but mainly I’ve been annoyed, disappointed and just all around pissed off. These frustrations aren’t new, but they’ve seemed to have me spiraling me into complete misery. Please don’t get me wrong, I still feel that this is the best job that I’ve ever had, but there are some things that need to improve.
There are some unique intricacies to my job. I’m not going to bore you with the painstaking details, but over the last few months, because of the way things have been progressing, I’ve questioned my motivation and leadership abilities. I haven’t been able to encourage a certain person to meet any suspense I set, provide the reports I require with any accuracy, and plan for anything further than what they can reach out and touch. I’ve even been informed that this same person believes that I have “too much juice.” This is a statement that stems from emails that I had sent out requesting his presence at a workshop and then him not showing. So when I reminded him about the workshop and told him that I expected to see him the following morning, I copied his boss and mine. I guess I was using my “juice.”
It has been such a struggle that I’ve purchased books written by and about great leaders. I’ve researched the internet for ways to improve what I thought my shortcomings might be. I’ve read some good material and even implemented a few of the ideas into my professional life. What I’ve received in return from those that work for/with me? The same shitty work with the same shitty excuses.
I know that I’m a perfectionist and that can be a downfall to those that work for and with me. I don’t expect everyone to be like me, but here is the bottom line. If we’re fortunate to be getting paid to do a job, we better damn well do it and do it to the best of our ability. The American taxpayers are expecting that of us. And from what I’ve seen, there is a lack of effort and desire to carry out his job that starts out at $40K a year. In a nutshell, he’s wasting the taxpayer’s money. My money! To me, that’s the wrong answer and if I had enough “juice” to use, I’d be doing my best Donald Trump impression! I need someone that’s a self-starter, punctual, and whatever they touch is going to be done to the best of their ability. Not part of the way or part of the time. All the way! All the time!
So what is the solution? Go to his boss and hope for a change? No luck there! Go to my boss and let him put some pressure on the situation? Hasn’t worked yet! I guess I should sit back and allow things to progress the way they are and it’ll all come out in the wash. Here’s where I have a problem with that. If I continue to let things go, it appears that I’m not doing my job and that’s a tag that I don’t want attached to my name.
Have a suggestion? Shoot me a line at stan.laws@gmail.com.