If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you probably know that I'm pretty much a straight shooter. I call it like I see it. There aren't a lot of lines to read between when I'm involved. What you see is pretty much what you get.
Call it simple. Call it a simple upbringing from a simple and very small town. Whatever. I don't care. It is what it is.
When it's knitting related you know that I'm honest about my madd, crazy, and not always on the up and up skillz. I'm okay with my mistakes and knitting issues. In fact, I relish the fact that I make mistakes. That's how I freakin' learn...
My professional life is an entirely different thing. I do not so much relish the mistakes there. I strive to be and do the best that my abilities will allow and provide. And I am generally respected for that and I am well networked. To the other end of that, I'm a pretty tough cookie at work and I don't mess around with those who are less than competent. Recently; however, I have found that I have been met with a force with whom should be reckoned. Someone who likes to play the games and act like a fake @ss. Someone who reeks of incompetence and self-proclaimed superiority, but tries to act like your best friend.
Lately, I have been the targeted "best friend." And I'm not quite sure how to handle this as this person is one of the big cheeses. And this is totally outside of my "it is what it is" comfort zone. Any advice? Have any of you ever been in this situation?
Any advice you can offer is deeply appreciated. And then some!!!!
As one troubled by her own office politics as of late I'm not one to give advice. I hate that you have to play games such as this just to get a paycheck. I would suppose as it is a big cheese you have to tread very carefully.
My motto these days is that I refuse to gossip. If someone brings up something I'm very good at the "um hum"...."oh"....and try to move on quickly. As such I've become very much the loaner at work.
Posted by: daisy | April 30, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Ok...it's "loner"...not "loaner"...so far I haven't been loaned to others (that I'm aware of! ;)
Posted by: daisy | April 30, 2008 at 07:20 AM
It's not really advice, but much of your description matches my personality. I cannot for the life of me hide when I disagree with something.
It's the hard road, I'm very well aware of that, but most people can eventually - after their back from whatever emotion I throw them in with my personality - respect the honesty and integrity at least.
Take them aside for this conversation - avoid public at all costs if YOU can - and be honest. Make sure you emphasise with their situation as well, it's a tough job playing allcompetent all day ;-)
They will have to decide what to do then, avoid you like hell - which makes me smile (bad, I know), or find their way to deal with you showing them their weakest points on appearance....
Posted by: alke | April 30, 2008 at 06:00 PM
hoo boy - that is one reason why I left the corporate world to pay other people's bills and keep their $$ straight in my jammies. The only advice I can think of is this: Watch your back...
...and good luck!
Posted by: JessaLu | April 30, 2008 at 10:39 PM