Ever have a boss you just can't please?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

Okay, so to help out a co-worker, I drafted up some invite letters for us to send out. Having copies of the letters we sent out the last two years (before I got here), I used the exact same friggin letter, just updated it to reflect this year's details. Yet when sent to the boss for approval, it's apparently all wrong. :wtf:

I seriously hate to say this, but upon reflection, at the first meeting of our organization's membership, one of the members said something in passing that I shrugged off. He said he was surprised that a male got hired for my position and that he was beginning to suspect that there was some sexual discrimination going on. I'm the only male that works here, and to my knowledge, it's been that way for several years. Now, being that this isn't the first time I've used identical work as what has been done by my predecessors and having it turn up "wrong", I'm starting to think the comment wasn't such a joke.

I'm not ready to jump off that bridge just yet, but has anyone else ever experienced this kind of BS?

[kwassa]

1. Another possibility

I've had bosses that never remembered what they said the day before. If I got an answer I didn't like, I would come back a couple of days later, ask the question again, and get a different answer, the one I wanted. We all did this, in this particular organization. Many managers are inconsistent. Many don't know how to manage at all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. She is incompetent, but not usually that forgetful.

She's just an extreme micromanager.

[kwassa]

7. Micromanagers are very hard to work for.

and usually drive themselves to an early grave. They can't delegate successfully.

the best thing to do is what ever she asks you to, and DOCUMENT everything. Make sure your ass is completely covered. Communicating everything, or as much as possible in writing, via email, is one good way. Taking written note, etc.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. That's not a problem.

She communicates by email to an infuriating degree. Like every five minutes.

I have recently learned to adjust to the whole micromanagement BS, by being way over meticulous with notes that I take at meetings and sharing them with her when I get back. She seems to love this. It just sucks because I feel like I'm treated like a kid and not the professional that she hired in the first place.

[raccoon]

6. "Many don't know how to manage at all."

That's a big 10-4.

Many think that the way to be a boss is to be as much of an asshole as they can.

And don't know if this is your case, OP, but sometimes when a boss doesn't like you (it's the reverse of the halo effect) they'll find fault with anything you do, and disagree with anything you say.

[Auggie]

3. That's why I have worked for myself for the past ten years

Every time I think about going back to the routine, all it takes is to step one foot in an office and I start to shudder. Yeah, I miss all the camaraderie and the water cooler stuff, but not having to answer to a boss has been very, very nice.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I'd do that if it were possible.

But in my industry, I'd need a lot more years under my belt. :-(

[bif]

4. I've been in the same position.

I'd go to work with a big knot in my stomach. It lasted for over a year. I just couldn't please this woman. She finally let me go and told me my writing style just wasn't compatible with the company. And some of the copy she rewrote was hers from the year before!

[MorningGlow]

9. I just had the very same thing happen to me!

Wow, how funny. I was asked to write the "president's letter", a kind of "state of the company" for the first quarter. I was given the last letter as a guideline. It was FILLED with flowery language and hyperbole and philosophical meanderings. I thought "Oh dear gods, how am I going to write like this? This is SO not my style!" But I gave it my best shot.

Word from the president's special assistant: "It's very good, and overall he's pleased, but he doesn't like such flowery language. He prefers it be more straight and to the point."

:crazy:

Sigh. I never told her I was imitating the last one. It just wasn't worth it. Then again, that could be because I was very very close to giving my notice anyway, so it didn't matter anymore.

(TWO DAYS, BABY!!!! TOMORROW IS MY FAREWELL LUNCH AND I AM OUTTA HERE!!!)

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: