I was informed yesterday that one member of my team is not a team player. That he picks and chooses his tasks, doesn’t offer assistance to his teammates unless it’s in his best interest, and has difficulty both staying on task and managing multiple priorities or tasks at once. Since my team is so understaffed—and I’m looking at the possible loss of at least one more team member—I need to have all hands on deck to avoid what could be a very real problem. One in which things fall through the cracks or get left undone simply because there isn’t anyone to do it, and when you’re dealing with compliance situations this is a problem that I really don’t need. For the moment, I’ve instructed his closest teammates to draw up a go-to list outlining the different tasks that are performed by the group, who holds the primary responsibility for completion, and who is secondary. Once I have this list, I can better delegate and/or rotate work assignments so that everyone is better focused and we can maintain our “we can get it done” reputation.

 

This is exactly the type of situation that I fear when it comes to management, but I’ll figure it out … even if I have to *gasp* ask for help.

 

On the upside, I’ll be holding interviews next week to (finally) fill my position, which I vacated 7 months ago.  I’m a little apprehensive about conducting six interviews in one day, but I shall persevere.

Have we forgotten where we come from?

Nearly all of us are immigrants The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe… Continue reading Have we forgotten where we come from?

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Categorized as challenges

Balance is key

I’ve been busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.  It’s been a bit difficult trying to balance all of my scales.  Libra only has two weighing trays, but my life feels a little bit like a three or more tray scale, which clearly does not exist—I would have used a… Continue reading Balance is key

I think I can, I think I can

Facing Everyday Challenges Here I am now, having just completed my second week in management, and I’ve discovered a few things that are … unexpected.  For example, as an organization, we make a great deal of effort to ensure that new employees complete a full day orientation, which is followed up by a day-two orientation… Continue reading I think I can, I think I can

It’s finally over

I applied to a management position on March 30 of this year after my supervisor of 13 years bid out on another job. Completing the application, preparation, interview and second interview process has been challenging, and fitting it into an already stretched-to-the-limit schedule has been even more difficult. Toss in a couple weeks of being… Continue reading It’s finally over

Finally done!

It’s taken two weeks, but it’s finally over. I’m finally caught up on the 4″ stack of requisitions that have been sitting on my desk for the past 3 weeks. It’s definitely been an exhausting venture and I’m glad it’s over because it means I can actually work on something else. I have worked on… Continue reading Finally done!

This is the 21st Century? Isn’t it?

Over the past several weeks, as we delve deeper into the disproportionately dysfunctional world of the upcoming general election. The candidates running in the Republican Party—Donald Trump and Ted Cruz—are turning my country into an international laughing stock. I say “my country” because I still believe in the greatness of the United States of America;… Continue reading This is the 21st Century? Isn’t it?

Monday is the big day: my interview.  I’ve been thinking about for a while and, oddly, I’m not all that nervous or anxious.  Of course, there is some … anticipation; after all, I’m taking on a completely new task, one that I haven’t experienced in nearly 14 years.  Luckily, I have someone that I trust that was willing to conduct a mock interview with me yesterday.  She seemed satisfied with most of my answers and made great suggestions on how I could improve my responses.  Today I’m meeting with someone else to help fill in other gaps that I may be asked about Monday morning.

Overall, I feel pretty confident, in part because I know that even if I don’t get the job, I already have one that I enjoy.  Maybe that—and the Tao of Steve—is why I’m not overly nervous.

What is the Tao of Steve?

Be desireless

Be excellent

Be gone

In other words:

Want without attachment

Present your best self

Walk away

It’s become a bit of a mantra since hearing a member of Toastmasters outline it.  I should send him a thank you letter.

I know my job. Really, I do.

My position is unique.  Most people probably think administrative assistant duties are all pretty much the same across the board.  This may be true to a point, but only in the most general of definitions.  For the most part, all admins manage phone calls, type, file, and requisition supplies.  Unless you work for a government—or… Continue reading I know my job. Really, I do.