Quote:
Originally Posted by Fool Zero
Could it be that your co-workers are seeing you, rightly or wrongly, as some kind of threat to them? For instance, if you were obviously working harder and putting in more time than they were, they might be concerned that you were making them look bad by comparison, and/or setting a standard that they'd soon be expected to live up to.
From the way they reacted this time -- "throwing you under the bus," as it were -- it sounds as if the organization might have been a little on the dysfunctional side to begin with. If only one or two of your co-workers had found themselves unmotivated, just plodding along, putting in their time and trying to do the minimum that was expected of them, they'd probably want to keep a low profile lest the rest of the group turn on them and demand more. If almost everyone there was feeling unmotivated, though, I can see how they might want to turn on someone who seemed to be rocking the boat.
I hate finding myself in a position where I've promised more than I can deliver. It seems even more unfair if I've correctly assessed what I could reasonably be expected to provide and then several unreasonable things get in my way and throw me off stride. I used to get into situations like that a lot; I thought I needed to keep practicing and practicing until I got good at handling them. I found, instead, that I prefer to avoid them almost completely. On rare occasions I may still pull an all-nighter (or the equivalent) when it's necessary to making something happen on time, but I never promise up front that I'll make it happen even if I have to pull an all-nighter.
|
To be honest, I have no clue how my coworkers see me in reality. Some days I am treated with kindness and respect, then on others I am treated as unreliable, usually in some sort of knee-jerk response. I don't believe anyone here acts with malice, but they do act in ignorance quite often. I don't really see how they can perceive me as a threat, as my position is unique and very well established as part of the leadership. I have been here longer than most of the staff.
Additionally, the only other person here with technical expertise left a week ago. The rest of the staff were keenly aware of the hours I would have to work for this project. The amount of work has been driven by the client, not by me; they are aware of that as well.
There is one person here in particular that exhibits the hallmarks of "all or nothing" thinking. This person was the one that likely contacted the owner. They often declare a project is not worthwhile because of tiny flaws or small problems and get very angry and jealous over time off, even after long periods of working extra hours. It's not that they lack understanding for the amount of time I put in, but it seems they don't think about things from my perspective. Unfortunately this person is at the same level of senority as I am, so there is no clear hierarchy in order to settle these issues.
The frustrating part about yesterday was we had just met with the owner the week prior to talk about the communication problems we had experienced and had come to the conclusion that rash reactions were hurting our performance. In my view, the events of yesterday were yet another example of this problem.