What goes around comes around. I TRY to be nice to everyone.
Remember my post about world domination, or at least the domination of my world? That was the one about hoping to take over a second department and shooting for a nifty title change. Except that who knew that whole Karma-thing would really come into play?
Welllll…..I got a title change (not the one I wanted, but hey…beggars can’t be choosers), a pay increase AND sixteen new employees!
This has been in the works for quite a while, and though things didn’t pan out as planned, an increase is still an increase, and added responsibility is something I thrive on. Especially since I’ve been sidelined on my workouts; I have something new and interesting to keep my mind occupied so I will stop dwelling on the fact that I’ve been hobbled, as it were.
My boss and I met with the new department this afternoon and he told them what was going down and just about everyone in the room seemed onboard with the situation. Except for one person, and I’m betting you guys will know who it was. Remember when I said, “the butt that you try to run over with a bed today may be the one you end up kissing tomorrow”? Yeah, her. ScrewLucy was all kinds of sour grapes.
After the whole “mean girls” scenario went down a year ago (yes, it’s been THAT long, but it took me six months to blog about it), I let it play out, let some time go by, and while I didn’t go out of my way to seek Lucy out, I didn’t avoid her, either, and I made it a point of kindly (which was fairly difficult; she tried to mow me over with a bed, after all) speaking to her on those occasions where we’d pass in the halls. Apparently none of that makes a difference. Throughout the entire meeting she looked as if she’d been sucking an especially sour lemon, based upon the look on her face. //shrug//
After my boss left, I stayed behind to address everyone about concerns that they may have. After reassuring them that, really, nothing has changed in the way they do things and telling them that the only real difference is that my paperwork had increased, plus they now have someone more accessible to come to with issues or questions (my boss has a LOT on his plate, given new construction projects and the five other departments he directs), that I was looking forward to getting to know them all better. I also told them that I am looking forward to bringing fun and cohesion into the department, that I know how hard they work, and that I would like to see the department certified. I also told them that pot lucks and fun team building activities are in their immediate futures. I know that these activities have brought my original team together, and this might just work for the new department.
Prior to meeting with the group, I had a one on one with my new second in command, asking how she felt about everything (she assured me this was all very okay with her), and what, in her opinion, were going to be our biggest hurdles. She indicated that Lucy is really the only one with major problems with all of this, and that everyone else would be ok. She also gave me the names of two departments that they seemed to have the most trouble keeping happy, and now I have a laundry list of people to meet with and issues to address.
Yeah, I’m a little nervous about the new responsibilities (especially since one of them is to go floor to floor to check segregation of oxygen cylinders and I’m still on a crutch), but have a feeling that things will work out. I’m not terribly confident that Lucy is going to come around, but that is her issue, not mine. I built a bridge and got over it. Now it’s her turn.
That said? This is the most unsure, professionally, I have felt since I started working at the facility in July of 2001. Let’s raise a glass and toast to my not getting my ass kicked in the parking lot after pissing someone off, shall we? 😉
Tell me about your professional changes and/or hurdles. Were you able to find ways to ease the transition? Has anyone successfully gotten their own Doubting Thomas (aka Screw Lucy) on board, and if so, how?
Until next time…
Random Musings From a Type-A Workaholic 
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Woot woot!!! You go honey badger!!❤️
Thank you…! 🙂 Also, check your work mail later. I have info on Bed Board you will need. 🙂 (Because I never shop talk on my blog, right?) bahahahahaha!
Congratulations!
Personally, I’m at the stage in my “career” (it’s still just a job to me), where I’m trying to get rid of responsibility. I managed to claw my way up to the top of my limited field in this area, and now that I’ve proved I can do it, I don’t really want to do it anymore. Retirement looks better every day. I’d rather spend my time blogging than going to my office.
But you’re at the stage where things are just opening up, and I’m very excited for you. I’m looking forward to reading your war stories as your career grows. With your sense of humor and your obvious dedication, I know you’ll be fantastic in your new job.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to a new adventure. I loved it when one of the girls said, “oh, we’re a handful!”
I figure since I have another 12 or so years until retirement, filling my days with un-boring is the way to go. Boring routine just doesn’t do it for me. At all. I love a good shake up, and this may fit the bill. 😀
There will be weird schedules until after the holidays, so that will give me some time to plan some of the fun stuff. Who knows? Maybe even Lucy will come around. 😉
Congratulations for the title change, extra employees underneath you and your ability to get along with almost everyone, Julie! I mean the one who is resisting is a pain in the butt, I know this, have dealt with it, but not always successfully.
I had a tough female principal, I did not win her over, but I had a teaching asst. who suggested at my annual reviews, to take a large bottle of water, take sips on it, whenever I felt my ire rising, and to nod my head calmly. Not bobbing up and down, which when I become impatient, this is really irritating. The year I did this, I had the very best review ever, Julie! I am still friends with that special assistant, who I wrote a post called, “Saint Karen,” because she probably saved my butt!
At the menial warehouse job, I get along with almost everyone except someone my good guy friend who works nights (and I have known for years before I went to work here. He used to be a manager but stepped down…) Anyway, he nicknamed my ‘nemesis,’ “Queen Bee.” It really helps when I see her now, since I smile and think what a “Queen Bee” she is, and I found out she has grandchildren (No! they aren’t as darling as mine…) but anyway, I found a ‘common ground,’ so I ignore her most of the time now.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and good luck and let me know what ‘coping skills’ you decide to rely upon! Hugs!
Girl! ❤
Is wine considered a coping skill? Lol…
Now that I have graduated to one crutch, I can get into my hammock swing, so there will be much hanging around and meditating in my future. That always helped before I realized working out was actually therapeutic. 😉
I am really looking forward to learning new things, and excited to implement the fun stuff that holds my original department together.
Now, if I could just speed heal this ankle, I would be on cloud nine. (Although, I'd probably fall off of it, haha!)
Love the water idea! And Saint Karen? Really? I loved that post!
Congratulations on achieving the first steps in your journey towards world domination! I’m sure you’ll do great : )
Well, my world, anyway…it’s small enough that it wasn’t that hard to storm the castle, LOL… 😉