Tammi's World

Touch the Pearls and Wave

Oh, y'all are gonna love this.

Guess who the new "Princess" at work is? You know - the one who expects everyone to do their work for them. Never takes any responsibility. Thinks their shit don't stink. Go ahead. Guess.

ME!!

How 'bout them apples?!?!

Now, it's just one person who's trying to say this, and no one is putting any credance behind it, but still. Gotta tell you - I have NEVER been talked about in those terms at work.

But you see, it's a matter of office politics. This particular person is feared greatly in our office. She's got lots of time in and has made many folks' lives miserable.

Well Baby, let me tell you - she is small potatoes compared to some I've had to deal with. She don't scare me one bit.

But that's all beside the point of this post. This post is (hopefully) more about office politcs. I saw this article yesterday and, since it's a very real part of my day to day life I thought it'd be a good thing to look into it.

And I don't really disagree with what they say - in theory. It's just not so practical in the real world. Seriously.

I've had to deal with this crap every day of my professional life. I'm sure most of you have also. There is always someone who doesn't like you. Someone who's scared of you. Someone who's jealous. It's just human nature.

But it all comes down to how YOU handle it. You can allow yourself to become a victim. You can mope and moan. You can "stand down" and allow them to make you miserable. Or you can leave.

I choose to do none of those, most of the time. I look at it as a battle. When I realize that someone is "gunning" for me, I start paying attention. I figure them out. And then, I take the game to them.

It's important to have a group of people you trust. Folks that will tell you if you're wrong. Or out of line. People that will be open and honest with you.

And it's just as important to keep a positive attitude. Even if it's just a cover most days. You catch more flys with honey. You'd be amazed at what a smile and a kind word can do to off-set any negative things people are hearing about you.

But the key? The key is to stand your ground. Do Not allow anyone to make you a victim or to doubt who you are. (That's important in every aspect of life, as far as I'm concerned.)

In this situation what I'm doing that very thing. I am doing things exactly by the book. But I've also made it known, if I follow the rules I will except nothing less than the promised result.

Everyday I do everything in my power to be the best that I can be. I do not always get it right. When I screw up I acknoweldge it and apologize. And then I fix it.

Everyday I do everything in my power to NOT live up to the words being said about me.

And it's working. Some would call it Karma. The woman trying to make me miserable, the woman blaming me for all her issues is starting to crumble. Oh, I don't want her to get fired or leave. I just want her to do her job to the best of her ability and leave other folks alone. I just want to see a team atmosphere. Like I said - I'm starting to see it.

Now I do not think I know all there is to know about this. I've just outlined what works for me. And, if I'm 100% honest, it doesn't always work. And in those situations, I pack my box and move on. But truth be told, that hasn't happened all that often.

But like I said, it works for me.

Now you'll have to excuse me - I've got to finish polishing my tiara for the ball tonite.

Posted by Tammi at March 10, 2007 07:11 AM | TrackBack