work

[gerbie]

Today I had an exchange of thoughts with my boss. This turned into a discussion, then into an argument. When at some point he made a patronizing gesture about a (valid) point I made, I decided to turn around and leave his room. I´m not arguing if my motivation is doubted. I can´t argue with incompetent people who try to win arguments on their position, who ignore knowledge and turn into macho´s. Two minutes later he came steaming into my office, shouting that this was no way of communicating and that I wouldn´t dare walk out of his office again in the middle of an argument. I seem to have hit a spot I guess. My career options within the school probably took a blow today.

Comments

Big boss man

[rogermellie.livejournal.com]

Funny how when the boss is losing the argument or can't continue the discussion he gets angry, is he a total megalomaniac?

Re: Big boss man

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

No. Just afraid he loses control. I know our department much better than he does. I know the jobs our students get to much better. I could probably do his job much better as well. Several of my colleagues have realised the same. (both that I could do it better or that they themselves are in the same position). He must be frightened that his authority is gone. It is merely based on position, not on merits or suitability.

[ypolita.livejournal.com]

that happens everywhere?!! I thought that was just americans! And the business world. I fantasized that teaching would be a way to get away from dealing with power issues...i hate it

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Dutch society is following America nearly blindly. Those in power see how much their counterparts in the US have enriched themselves, therefore they want the same. Is it coincidence that one of my countrymen became the first man in the NATO? His arm went deepest up Bush´s arse...

[boreal.livejournal.com]

If you are the boss, its more fun to just call the person out. "Did you intend that statement to be patronizing? Because that's what it sounded like..." Usually freaks em out. But you need to know your definitions of the various negative and manipulative traits well. :) Of course if you're not the boss, as in this situation, then its pretty much a gamble and you lose either way. Time to bring in arbitration... !

But really all I wanted to say was: What an asshole. That sucks. Hopefully he'll sleep on it, realize he was having a bad day and things will be better this week.

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I don´t need to provoke him deliberately to freak him out. The fact that I know his department much better than he does is scary enough for him. That´s why this kind of thing happens way too often. Not as extreme as yesterday, but too often. This was more an ordinary day for him, then a bad day.

[harns.livejournal.com]

Vervelend...en nu?!

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

En nu hobbelen we weer gewoon verder, groet ik hem vanmiddag korter, maakt hij nog een kwinkslag over het begin van de discussie, niet realiserend dat het niet leuk was (gevoel voor humor heeft hij niet), ga ik morgen gewoon naar Tiburg en hebben we maandag een teamvergadering die wel weer gedeeltelijk zal ontsporen, waarna dinsdag alles weer bij het oude blijft.