Stuck in the Middle

I’m feeling right now for a young, green female colleague of mine. Sadly, at the same time, I want to wring her neck.

These are times when we need to provide moral support to colleagues in need, but it’s a two-way street. I can’t help someone who stresses herself to the point of throwing up over every little detail. This particular young woman is trapped in the midst of changing leadership and structure in her team. Thanks to a horrible boss—himself feeling marginalized—this lady is so demoralized, so unhappy, and burdens herself with so many things beyond her very limited, tactical scope of responsibility.

The following took place over the span of four minutes: Working offsite, I copied her boss on a general update on our status. He, in turn, called and gave her hell. She was shaking uncontrollably, repeatedly saying I should have told her, and now she looks bad.

My message to her—and to all of you: Lighten up. And tell your boss to do the same. Change is hard, but it happens. I will provide moral support for you, but I won’t tolerate a barrage of shrieking panic over insignificant minutiae. Deal with it.

Shoot me, shoot me. —Working Girl (1988)

Comments

[jenny]

hell yes.

thanks for the message ;)