Great Jeoaarrb Homestar!
Recognition is not something I crave (affirmation, adulation, yes, but recognition is not high on my list), but somewhere in corporate America is some bright spark reading a book about how to motivate people. The trickle down result is that mid-level managers seem to think that pulling long hours and being belittled by narrow idiots with an addiction to number out of context can be adequately compensated with a certificate printed out on a laser printer. The gusto with which they deliver the wrong message would be amusing if it weren't for the fact that one is working like a dog for nothing. Yet these poor attempts continue.
Today I recieved a factory award at our regular department wide staff meeting. It should have been an occasion of some joy for me as it ihas only been a year since I started working at Faceless Corporation, but it wasn't. The whole thing was marred by the sheer number of awards given out (seemed like everyone was winning something, like Little League) and the trouble I've been having with my boss Company Man.
I have been beset on all sides lately with inane requests and general unwillingness to listen to reason. I look to my immediate boss to sheild me from some of this nonsense since I am technically his resource, but he's been remiss in this duty. As a result I've had to put up with some boneheaded requests for help from other departments that are, to say the least, a waste of my time. The last really bad one came by way of Bollywood Boss, who is resembles nothing so much as a former Bollywood leading man who's fallen on some hard times and made a return to the screen - not as a heartthrob, but as perhaps the head of the evil conglomerate that's getting set to take possession of the small village and can only be stopped by a loss agianst the village's own amateur cricket team. You can see I've thought about this a bit.
I've been discussing it with Hatchet Face and The Kid, and both of them tell me that it's just a part of the dues paying. Obviously I'm not pleased, considering that I feel that that decade in college should really count for something more than another certificate and a chance to use the word "recalcitrant" in meetings. Before you all get on your respective comment soapboxes, I do realize that there is some "real world" dues paying to be had - I am just not pleased with the payment plan.
Comments
Working in Korea has given me an entirely new perspective on "management requests." Instead of standing on a soapbox and talking about your dues, I will only say that of "American middle-management making inane requests" one is neither required to bow or thank them for thier "valuable input" after the fact.
"Find many of this. Please add more will. Mother the homework not. Get the check." (Said to me on Friday, angrily.)
Posted by: Alex | March 19, 2006 10:20 AM
I think the bowing would make it even worse, so I guess you're right although I have recently been told to be more diplomatic. With chowderheads.
Posted by: Lo Fat Mo | March 20, 2006 11:32 AM