Flabbergasted

I am not sure I understand how some people cannot show the slightest degree of decency or respect toward their colleagues, suboridinates or direct reports. Color me suprised? Not at all. I am not impacted by the rude and replusive behaviours often shown by the upper rungs of management and while I know the pressures just as well as the next person, it does not make it an acceptable way to treat others. I also do not understand how a manager can sit there and not stand up for one of her employees as she gets yelled at by another co-worker, regardless of what fancy word is in his title and not in her own.

The purpose of a manager is to lead his/her staff, organize and plan, coach and motivate, discipline and be a steady source of support that the staff can rely on. I do a damn good job at this. I stand up for my employees and become their voice when I know issues are affecting their ability to do their job. I keep their work environment positive and develop a trusting, working relationship with each of them. I create a buffer between the wretched monsters who run the place and keep them motivated to be the best they can be. The 14 people that report to me are the happiest among the entire staff. They appreciate my consistency because they are aware I take the appropriate steps to make change that needs to happen happen. I prove this to them on a daily basis, with not only things on an individual level, but also confirm my committment to them as I keep pushing for issues that impact the bigger picture and more than just our department. I push them harder and try to make that positive bit of difference in their lives. That may be the teacher in me and right now, it just happens to be crossing over to my management style. Working with my staff is the most rewarding aspect of my job at the moment, I dare say, even more than serving the greater good or seeing my visions come to fruition.

With that said, and since it is blatantly obvious that I am the only manager who believes in such a philosophy at my job, I am sometimes taken aback by those who feel it necessary to swear, yell and/or sit in silence while in meetings about a potential logistical nightmare, especially when I am the situational expert. When that happens and I am through with being insulted and feeling the inhumane slap across my face, I kindly excuse myself and go back to work in quiet crevices of the building where few others know.

I may go down by myself but it will not be without my voice being heard by the one who matters most. And with my experience there, it is that very thing that earns you the respect that is so sought after. Compliancy, be damned!