update from the reader whose boss wouldn’t give her a client list by Alison Green on December 15, 2011 This update is from the reader whose boss was horribly incompetent and wouldn’t even give her a list of the clients she was supposed to be serving. Here’s the update: Where am I now? I wish I could say that I was really clear and direct with my supervisor and I now have a client list. I wish I could say that my supervisor is actually doing his job. But, no such luck as I still have no comprehensive and updated client list. It hasn’t gotten much worse, but the longer I am here (9 months and counting!) the more I understand the depth of incompetence in my management. I still work for Tweedledee and Tweedledum. On a positive note, although it is still a hot mess of incompetence with my management, I am very satisfied I am doing awesome work with my clients and have not let this all tarnish my attitude. We are a small department within a larger organization, so I have been networking with folks in different departments to prevent myself from becoming too jaded about this whole thing. I now also know which of my co-workers I can commiserate with about it all, so it really helps that I am not the only one who thinks our management is incompetent. This also means I have an active network with which to work around Tweedledee and Tweedledum, a network who understand why we are working around them. In many ways, working for Tweedledee and Tweedledum have solidified my desire to move into program management in the next 3-5 years. You may also like:how do employers know if you're answering "have you ever been fired" honestly?my coworkers come by my desk to check on emails right after sending themis this company's interview process unreasonable? { 7 comments }
Anonymous* December 16, 2011 at 4:20 am As frustrating as this is, it’s not really your problem. You asked for the list and didn’t get it. If any questions arise about not meeting contractual obligations to clients, you point them to the extensive paper trail where you asked your manager and the director for the list, but didn’t get it – and let Tweedledum and Tweedledee sink themselves. Glad you’re able to take a positive out of it!
YALM* December 16, 2011 at 6:15 am I applaud your initiative and your attitude. I mean that. If I had an open headcount, I’d hire you.
Long Time Admin* December 16, 2011 at 8:20 am You can learn a lot from a lousy boss. Mainly, how not to be one. Good going!
Pete* October 27, 2012 at 7:29 pm Have you considered the possibility that something very illegal is going on? The list you can’t get could very well be of people you CAN’T contact because they don’t exist. They are names submitted for billing purposes. I would find it very unlikely that the reason you can’t get the list is due to exceptional stupidity on the part of both “managers”.