Neutrino Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I have worked for this company for just under a year now, it is a great job and I love it. Both my boss and I are in exact sciences, so you can imagine - neither is too gifted socially... He has never treated me bad that I can pin-point, but from the beginning there is just this strange vibe and discomfort between us. I'm normally the type of person that gets along with everyone - although I know most people find me a bit... uhm... strange. My boss seems to trust me with a lot of responsibility and agrees with almost everything I say - at the same time I get the general impression he is watching and testing my every move. At the same time I started a difficult function without any guidance - so I exercised my own judgement and he (the only manager above me) never told me I was doing anything wrong, he can hardly come up now, many months later, and claim I do it all wrong... Now our assessment cycle was going around, the HR did all the assessments for everyone - but my assessment has to be done by him - because nobody else qualifies - and from what I understood - he downright refused to do it (in a discussion with HR, I was not there). I have to add there is some very weird discomfort when we have to work together - like something there just isn't right - but I have no idea what it is.... Before I even try to solve the problem - I must define it... Any ideas ? Link to post Share on other sites
You'reasian Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Your gut is usually right. Something is going wrong. It could be alot of things: 1. Your boss is going through a rough patch in his personal life and is on edge? 2. The company is going through a rough patch - your boss is aware of this and is on edge. Your boss has to make an uneasy decision in regards to his future, your futre, the departments future etc. 3. Your boss and you don't click allthough you might be able to get things done. 4. Your boss is being suaded by an outsider as to your current existence in the department? This is your situation. Own up to it. You have more information than we do. Come up with a few more hypothesis - find information that is most likely to disprove them and select the one that has the least amount information disproving it. Then make a decision. Link to post Share on other sites
Kamille Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Could you perhaps approach your boss and tell him that you were hoping the evaluation would give you feedback on how to improve your skills - and that since you didn't get one you would be open to getting feedback from him? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Neutrino Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Thanks You'reasian and Kamille, it is always interesting to get some objective input I can provide more information - actually it's great to finally be able to say (type) something since I never discussed this with anyone. I wish I could involve nationalities - because we are over in Europe (I suppose you guys are American ?) and you would be amazed how people's mentalities in such a small area can differ... Let's start from the top : 1. I know absolutely nothing about his personal life... 2. I know sale figures are a bit down - but nothing major here at this stage, our European office is quite small - but he is the head of operations and I'm the only technical manager (glorified engineer in fact) working for this company on this continent, so letting any of us go doesn't make any sense. 3. We indeed don't seem to click - although education-wise we have a lot in common, also some other interests, on many work-related things we think the same. At the same time - once on a flight to the other side of the planet - we sat for some 10 hours and never exchanged a sentence - when I just joined here. 4. Nobody would benefit from this move and many would loose. I can't say he has ever said or did anything specific - just an overal weird vibe - I have no idea what it is - maybe not even completely negative - just discomfort. I guess most people would feel this way around someone they totally don't "read", because culturally we are light-years apart. oya - and I just received an email about the assessment - I know he hates doing them - but like I said - nobody else can do mine... It will be before the end of this week and since I had to submit my input in writing (some 3 months back) I did exactly that fair and square.... I forgot to add : my BF met him once briefly (and he can "read" people) he said the overall impression was quite nice, but socially - a disaster..... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Neutrino Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 Ok, once again I see I'm much better with machines than I'm with people.... I had my first assessment today, after some 10 months. My manager and myself were joined by the HR and finance officer - who made things run much smoother when we tended to get side-tracked. My manager referred to my previous input, said he pretty much agreed with everything I wrote and gave a few remarks. They are happy with me and I'm happy with them. Still a weird atmosphere a bit - but I'll give it a few more months. Now off to find a study program - no matter what age I am - still want that Astronomy master's..... Link to post Share on other sites
Kamille Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Sounds like it went really well. Congrats and thanks on keeping us posted! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Neutrino Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 Thanks Kamille, it did go well. However - you haven't heard the least of this guy yet, he kills me sometimes... I have to admit that some hilarious things happen at my work, especially with this manager, it seems like Murphy's law is gaining on probability. I really have to wonder what will happen next. This is really a great job - with loads of international traveling and driving, so constant action. Link to post Share on other sites
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