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stimulus -> I'm bummed (8/22/2008 5:36:04 PM)
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Today, my boss called me to his office. He shut the door when I came in, which was odd - he's an "open door policy" kind of guy. Before long, he got to the point - a colleague's request my employee travel with him internationally for nearly two weeks to video an important event.
Yesterday, the colleague (who outranks me) pitched the idea to the boss, whom I had yet to say anything to. I came in briefly about something else, colleague mentioned the trip, I responded, and boss said we would discuss it later. Today, my boss said my reaction was "negative" and he made a real point about that kind of "negativity" not being acceptable. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I thought I said I was in favor of the trip, just worried about our other commitments.
The colleague and I had discussed the trip on several occasions, and I thought he knew I was on board with the videogpraher going - it had originally been my idea - even though I had reservations because of our other commitments. It happens to be smack-dab in our busiest time of the year. Yesterday, I jumped in, resuming the conversation with the colleague, and failing to fill the boss in. As a result, it probably did come off more negative than it would have otherwise.
I did get to explain to my boss that the colleague and I had previously discussed it and that it had, in fact, been my idea. I hope that dispelled any notion that I'm anti-team. I also learned that I need to be quicker about pitching the idea to the boss myself, and I shouldn't assume he's been filled in about my role before I offer any criticism of what seems like someone else's idea.
The thing is, I feel like I got reprimanded because of what my old boss did. She was very anti-teamwork, putting up all sorts of obstacles to isolate me and her other staff, constantly saying we didn't have time for projects when we could have helped more. My old bosses' attitude could be summarized with, "under the circumstances, what is the LEAST we can do?" I criticized it then, saying our attitude should be "under the circumstances, what is the BEST we can do?" I was miserable, and I turned in notice to resign early this year, making my reasons crystal-clear. Her rules against teamwork and the conflict they created was the #1 reason. We restructured some, eliminating her old position, and I stayed and was promoted into a job very similar to what she did.
I feel like my (new) boss - the very person I made my complaints to earlier this year - assumed that I'm anti-teamwork, too, instead of assuming that I'm pro-teamwork and just happened to have what might be reasonable concerns about other projects. Even if my concerns aren't valid, it would be nice if he would assume I'm trying to find a way to meet the newest need, and help me identify ways of meeting them all.
How can I get him to see that I have a great attitude? If I am concerned about taking on a new project, how do I get him to see that I may need help identifying ways to meet all the needs, but I don't am not anti-teamwork?
It was just yesterday that a coworker told me that I needed to stop operating in fear that people would perceive me in light of my old boss' actions and attitudes. I'm just bummed that isn't true and that my motives were so misinterpreted.
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