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Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The New Director

We have a new director. I am the lucky winner of a tall ladder of line-supervisors, technical supervisors, so on and so on. Now, there's a new rung, and he's the BIG guy. Our relationship with the last person at the top wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. She wasn't technical, and not the real friendly, let's-have-lunch kind of boss. I am not sure in 5 years that I spoke more than once with her. So I wasn't feeling warm and fuzzy about a new director. We were told he'd be here this week for a couple of days to meet with each of us individually and to have any comments/questions ready. When he approached me this morning and wanted to sit down and talk, I'm sure I had this "Derrrr... uhhhh" look on my face - I hadn't taken a single moment to ponder what I might want to say, or any answers I might have to the typical questions a new boss will ask. You know, the standard "So where do you see this place in five years" kind of questions. Did I get those questions? Yes. BUT, I do actually believe he listened. He was friendly, personable, and he's technical!! Big plus. When I'm nervous I tend to be very chatty, and I didn't disappoint today. I was pretty good under pressure, besides trying my best to avoid any uncomfortable silence.

He told me he'd heard very positive feedback about me. He used the words "reliable" and "knowledgeable". Nowhere in there were some of my other qualities: stubborn, opinionated and incredibly grumpy on an empty stomach. All in good time, right? He did, later this morning, get to witness me after drinking a giant Rockstar diet energy drink. Honestly, it's not pretty. Holy crap that stuff is worse than a whole pot of coffee. But 24 ounces IS basically a whole pot, right? LOL

12 comments:

Fred said...

When I was in the corporate world, I actually liked peole who were stubborn and opinionated.

New White Keds said...

I am getting a new boss next week -- I hope my experience is as good as yours!

Distant Timbers Echo said...

Dang honey! That's cool that he heard "positive" stuff about you. Maybe you'll have a promotion pending soon!

Martin said...

Gotta like Rockstar. I prefer the diet ones when I can find them and even trick myself into thinking that I'm doing something healthy when drinking the 24oz. Triple Strength Rockstar Juiced (even though I really don't like the taste much... probably the passionfruit.) I'm sure that you will only impress him further and give him better adjectives to pin to you. Being stubborn can also be looked at as tenacious and uncompromising. Opinionated is also better than wishy-washy. B)

Lily said...

Good luck with the new boss. We've been through 5 Directors in the nearly 8 years I've been at my job and it may be 6 before this year is out.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Good luck with the new boss ... you'll be fine.
Have a great weekend.
Take care, Meow

Ken said...

Yikes. A full 24 oz Rockstar? Sounds dangerous....

Nik said...

Well, sounds like the new boss might be at least slightly better than the old. Plus, it seems you're off to a good start and on his good side. Good luck with that!

Undercover Angel said...

That's wonderful that you're having a good experience with your new boss. With your new boss feeling positively about you, listening to you, and having heard positive feedback about you, you might find yourself moving up in the company now!

Teri said...

That is really cool that your boss took the time to meet with everyone. And he did some research into to the staff to know all about you. Way to go :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, it sounds to me like you have a great new director, that's wonderful! It makes a big difference to work with someone that actually cares enough to ask for input.

As for the Rockstar - I've had a few and they do kick some @ss!

B

Unknown said...

I've done the new boss thing a lot, hope it works out for you. First impressions are always important...