Every now and then, I get into this –SOUP– situation
with my boss. He would put me in a position where I would wonder ‘now what’. He
is not a bad boss; infact he has been very supportive and understanding when I
really needed both… He would calmly listen to me and my woes and give advices
like a big brother. At times, push me to do the extremes to get over some hard
realities.
But then, if all was perfect, then wouldn’t it have
been against nature’s law. Especially in my case, how can it be all good. So is
my boss for me too... As you read below, you might feel that I have been dumb
to give it back to him on his same style… Statutory warning: I KNOW IT, BUT
WHAT TO DO…
Story 1 - Past Tense:
During the interview process; he had mentioned
vaguely how he does not like people running out of office just bcoz it was past working
hours. Me being the workaholic, never had done that and had always left work
only after I had finished all my work. I hated keeping work pending or for the
next day. So when he asked, “Are you one of them? You might have to stay late.”,
I confidently replied, “No, I too wouldn’t like leaving work pending. Even if
some days late, atleast I can leave the other days on time…”
Present Tense:
Every single day I stay back at work for atleast 1-2
hours more than the stipulated working hours. Not always because, I have
pending work to be finished. But just because, he doesnot appreciate leaving on
time and gives me a feeling that I am leaving early even if I leave on time or 30
minutes past working hours… “Boss, Can I leave?”, He would look into the clock
or watch and comment, “EARLY?”… “No Boss, not early, its already almost one
hour past the check out time”… “Yeah Yeah Yeah…!!!”… That would be a ridicule…
I leave the work with a ‘grrrr’…
Extreme Tense:
One jovial discussion on ‘staying late’ turned ugly
when he “Jokingly” passed a comment on people throwing tantrums at work…
Unfortunately, it ticked me off. He had to pay for his joke with me openly proposing
to “keep an attendance time sheet for myself” to show the hours I put in at
work without any sort of breaks… He knows well that I am “RIGHT” and he
consoled me saying that his comment was only a JOKE. “Dear Boss, jokes are
fine, but until it doesn’t hurt the other’s feelings. In your case, I myself
wonder, what is joke and what is not.”
Story 2 - Past Tense:
He doesn’t appreciate asking him any questions which
concerns a problem. He would say, “Don’t come to me with a problem. I need a
solution.” Grrr, when the solution is him, how can I solve it… But bosses are
boss.
Present Tense:
Every now and then, I will enter his room. Knowing
for sure that he is going to blast my ears off with his usual dialogue. Still,
I try my luck every time. What if, today, he is in a different mood and agree
to give a solution.
Extreme Tense:
Getting into sandwich situations from either side, I finally
erupted… “Boss, you ask me for solution. But when I find a solution you say,
why didn’t I ask you. You need a Yes or No answer, but you forget that within
my limitations; I might have a ‘Yes, but only if…’ answers too…” He got my
point. Things have changed a bit, but still I need to be careful for those ‘wrong
days’ before approaching him with a “SOLUTION”. ;)
Story 3 - Past Tense:
I was constantly teased for not participating in one
of the company sponsored marathon last year where he was an active participant.
He kept making fun of me and pulling my leg every now and then saying, “Is this
how you show your integrity to the company.” Etc etc etc…
Present Tense:
I decided to participate in this year’s marathon and
the registration form is all set to go out. Meanwhile, I volunteered to be part
of the company team for a sport related race and we won a prize too. The team
members are expected to get a Certificate of Appreciation for the effort and
success. Happy days…
Extreme Tense:
His usual joke, “You did not do it for company. You
volunteered for it.”. “But boss, we were representing the company and company
sponsored for us. So we did it for company”. “Nooo, Company did not ask you to
go. Yes or No. It was your personal wish to go for it. So it is not for
company.”…
I lost it… but not too fast… “How can it be so, Boss.
Last year, you literally tortured me for not participating in the marathon
because company was sponsoring; pulling my leg that I did not give back to the
company for its efforts. When that was an individual event and choice and now, when
I represented the company for a Team event…You are saying the other way round.
How can it be two different morals for the same story.”
BINGO!!! I won, Score 1-0…I knew, I had struck the chord
right on spot. He was dumbstruck. But above that I knew, it was no longer safe
for me to stand in front of him…So I continued…
“OKKKK, now I know, it is not safe
for me here, so I am running away…hehe!!” He smiled and replied, “Better for
you…”
Immediate tense:
I deleted the registration form
for the marathon.
Current Tense:
Ok, Ok, Ok…I know, I know… I am
keeping my guards up, until he forget this score… hehe!!! I now wonder, should
I register for the marathon or not!!! The big question...
Marathon or No Marathon…
Leaving behind the world of uncertainty
and reality…
