About Spirit Expertise How do you get everything done in the day? How do you manage your time better? How do you successfully administer a work-group? How do you encourage your employees to grow? What determines morale? If any of these questions is something that concerns you, I may have some insight that could help.
Experience Have managed workforces of up to 60 people. Trained administrator. Have worked as self-employed entrepreneur, small-business manager and also within large corporations.
Organizations WISE INT. (www.wise.org)
Hubbard College of Administration (hubbard college)
Citizens for an Alternative Tax System (cats.org)
Question I've been working at this company for 2 years and got a new female boss. When she first started I went out of my way to make sure I made an good impression. Basically I kissed her butt if she needed anything. 3 weeks went by and she stopped talking to me and when she did it was very hostile. A month went by and finally I said I must confront her about her hostility towards me. She finally told me she didn't like my stlye and that I was unprofessional. The reasons were. I closed the door when I talked to her in her office. I put my hand on the back of her chair and I winked at her. I apologized 2 or three times and said I wouldn't do it again she can count on it. But there is still an air of hostility. I don't like it what should I do?
Answer Dear Angelo;
It is obvious that in her view, your intended friendliness is being perceived as sexual moves.
I understand that this is not how you mean it. But seriously, you have no business winking at her. And putting your hand on the back of the chair, man, that can easily be taken as flirting. Watch your body-language, guy! :-)
It is really important that you do not make her feel that you are making sexual overtures toward her because the way that can be taken is that you do not take her seriously, that you do not perceive her as a senior figure. And she needs to know that you respect her, otherwise how can she feel secure with you as an employee? You see, I am sure you didn't think of it this way, but there are many sides to every story.
In terms of what to do now?
Write her a letter (keep a copy) and in the letter, tell her, respectfully and nicely, that you respect her and that you want to have a good working relationship with her, and that you want to know if there is anything you can do to make this work better. Tell her that you've possibly created the wrong impression, that all you've been seeking to do is to establish a cordial and easygoing working relationship and if that has been misinterpreted or if you gave a different impression you are very sorry. Tell her that you are open to her feedback on how to improve things.
(Notice that in this letter I did not mention ANYTHING that could possibly sound admission of guilt of any kind, and ALSO I did not mention ANYTTHING that could be perceived as BLAMING her. Keep that in mind).
