Fri Nov 17, 2006
The Take Away [Whining and Complaining]
Well, it was fun while it lasted. For a few days I had energetic plans on formats, wording, and ways of organizing information. I was typing away purposefully while my class mates plodded through busy-work. I had a great interview with one of the directors on how to handle sensitive information.
Then I got an e-mail from my boss. “See me”
She was very nice about it. “You’re not being taken off the project, it’s just that it probably does make more sense for The Naysayer to take the reigns.”
“Okay. Well. I’ll just get in touch with her and find out what kind of contribution she’d like me to make”
Like “Here. Type this up.”
It’s not that I don’t understand it. If I were in her place there’d be no way I’d let a trainee do a project that I’d had to set aside, particularly if it looked as if that person could get it done. She has her career to think about.
I’ll see what happens. She may not be bad to work with. She’s a pleasant enough person, not one of those people who are unkind for the hell of it.
Anyway, I’d better get back to my busy work while I await further instructions.
Don't worry about it. Contribute. Be helpful. It's good that you're aware of your provisional status, but you definitely need to remain visible.
Two things are probably going on here: first - if Naysayer had the project back-burnered you may have been the impetus to get it moving, second - it doesn't look good from a project management point of view to have a trainee heading a major project like this. Which isn't to say you couldn't or are not competent to do it, just that from an accountability perspective in the organization, I can see it raising some eyebrows.
Do your regular work, and with any time available after that, be sure to keep your hand in on the document project. Keep your manager in the loop, and keep subtly reminding her that you would like to continue contributing to it.
Posted by: RobAtSGH at November 17, 2006 12:25 PM