Maybe there's hope!

[darkemeralds]

In the "Work: There's a Reason Why They Don't Call It Play" category, I just came from a gloriously mind-relieving discussion with the new operations manager.

Dear god, just to be heard on the subject of some of the management deficiencies around this place was wonderful. To hear, in return, that the New Guy understands the problems, knows what questions to ask, and has ideas for improvement, has lifted my spirits to a really almost unseemly degree.

Some people, in some lines of work, do well without any significant degree of structure. But me? In a technical line of work supporting a $50 million software infrastructure investment? Not among their number. We've been circling the drain around here, depending more and more on individuals' workaholic tendencies to make up what we lack in direction, supervision, and management. The New Guy named two things--just two things--he's identified as priorities, and he's absolutely spot-on. If he can get improvements in those two areas, the whole logjam will start to clear.

So there's hope. Maybe this job won't be my downfall this year.

Comments

[tehomet]

That is excellent news. I really hope that the New Guy's promise bears productive re-structuring fruit.

I'm all about lack of structure/anarchism in my private life, but even I can see the benefit of clear-sighted and effective management in any teamwork situation, particularly a technical goal-oriented one. Focus is critical.

FWIW, I think it's particularly promising that the New Guy has only identified two areas for immediate attention. If he had a whole ream, I wouldn't be as pleased, if you know what I mean.

[darkemeralds]

Yes, exactly. As you say, focus is critical, and he used several phrases that indicated to me a clear understanding that there's a mountain to move, and one shovelful at a time is going to be the method of moving it.

It struck me as mature and experienced, his recognition that a monolithic solution doesn't exist, and that hoping for one has kept up paralyzed. "Little mouse-bites," he said. I agree.

[vampirefan]

omg. i really hope that he means it!! how is he so aware of what is going on? is he already an employee moving to this new position?

[darkemeralds]

He came from another department within the organization, and his former job involved working pretty closely with us. Plus, I think he's just really politically savvy and good at reading the situation.

I was very impressed with his clear grasp of the situation, and some really innovative thinking about how to improve it.

[kis]

**stunned amazement**

[darkemeralds]

I know, right?

And today! The wonders continued! We had a staff meeting, our Tuesday-morning browbeating, and it was completely new and changed. There was energy and purpose, and I walked away from it feeling like I had a CLUE, at least, of what I should be doing and why.

It's relieving a large increment of stress.