Thursday 25 October 2007

Thursday

I have yet to decide what I am going to write. I just want to write something.

Work has been hectic recently but not in a good way - I love the pressure of a job, a job that you can do, do well and are well supported by the team around you. A good team is one that is supportive of all it's members what ever their status. I have a great team below me and along side me, my only grip is the team above me.

I'm sure that that is a common complaint of many managers - the guys below they are useless, they don't do what they are told when they are told to do it. My management style is somewhat different to that. I believe that if the team below me fails then it is something that I have done wrong. I've not directed them properly, given unclear instructions, not defined the results that I want or given an unrealistic deadline.

I now people enjoy working with me. I like to refer to it as that as I want all the members of the team included in the process. Give them involvement, purpose and recognition and people will work hard and diligently for you.

Yet, at the moment I am not being managed well. I am given unclear directions, unrealistic timescales and not made to feel worth while. A good shouting tongue lashing or a brusque email is considered to be a motivational tool at my work place.

I have not been here long enough to have secure employment rights so I must keep my mouth closed. I can not speak out yet speaking out is what I do.

It makes for an unhappy work place and no matter how you try to keep your work and home life separate they invariably affect one another.

I suffer from depression and have done since puberty. I have had some dark times and some very manic bouts. Times when I have just wanted to destroy everything around me. I have been free from medication for nearly two years yet I find my mind being drawn to depressive thoughts. I try hard to be mentally stronger and for the most part I am succeeding but at the moment it is a battle so please excuse me if my post are a little dark at the moment - it is a form of release that is far better than taking it out on those around me.

4 comments:

The Boy said...

Management is such a tricky thing. I've been doing it for a long time now and have staff who've loved me and some who've hated me. There are those that like close direction, and those who hate it. You never get it completely right, but I think your philosophy is spot on. For the most part, that works.

Depression, my, a tough one. I hit it lucky and inherited a generally sunny demenour from my mother, but still have had a couple bouts with it in my life. There are tricks though. One I love is making sure you take time out of every day to think about something positive. Its always there, just needs found.

martin said...

Just remember that you are better than the people giving you shite instruction. I have always found that this sort of management does know it's arse from it's elbow. Always back up their e mails and keep them at home. I think that you will get on with this,and move on to better things. Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

I agree with the boy. Make sure that you keep work and play separate; whinge about the crappy manager at the office and leave him and the crappy thoughts there. It's difficult to do, but worth putting your mind to.

AFC 30K said...

hanks for all your wise and kind words. I have just reread the post and appologise for any typo's. I literally just typed the first thoughts that came in to my head.

Martin - I do store emails and make a journal of events just in case.

Boy - I inherted the depression from my mother and her mother, It's a curse but for the most part I win the battle.

Jo - It's a tricky one to keep separate, I try to but fail mostly. If you can't talk to your partner then who can you talk to, plus Wifey di psychology at uni so she like the parctice...