I’m enjoying an interesting situation at work. My manager and his manager are at odds. They each confide in me, sometimes about the other. I don’t repeat what either says to the other. I say very little, just let them talk, and occasionally I let them know I understand their perspective without indicating whether or not I agree.
Last week the next manager up shared some feedback with the group that wasn’t good. My manager is acting defensively and blames his manager. His manager blames my manager. They have again each shared their perspectives with me.
This time, because the impact could be felt by me, I chose to share a paraphrased version with my manager, of what his manager told me. I chose carefully to do this and delivered a much kinder and more vague version of what was said, which still made the point - I was taking this situation more seriously.
My manager vented for a while and then thanked me.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with his manager and undoubtedly this topic will come up. I have decided to not get involved any further and let them iron it out.
I’m acutely aware that if I get more involved, they could very easily form a faction against me. This happened once before to me in a personal situation.
Studying and practicing stoicism in general, and in particular the writings here have been incredibly helpful!
I’m finding it all fascinating to watch it play out from a detached distance.
Needed this, thank you!
❤️
I’m enjoying an interesting situation at work. My manager and his manager are at odds. They each confide in me, sometimes about the other. I don’t repeat what either says to the other. I say very little, just let them talk, and occasionally I let them know I understand their perspective without indicating whether or not I agree.
Last week the next manager up shared some feedback with the group that wasn’t good. My manager is acting defensively and blames his manager. His manager blames my manager. They have again each shared their perspectives with me.
This time, because the impact could be felt by me, I chose to share a paraphrased version with my manager, of what his manager told me. I chose carefully to do this and delivered a much kinder and more vague version of what was said, which still made the point - I was taking this situation more seriously.
My manager vented for a while and then thanked me.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with his manager and undoubtedly this topic will come up. I have decided to not get involved any further and let them iron it out.
I’m acutely aware that if I get more involved, they could very easily form a faction against me. This happened once before to me in a personal situation.
Studying and practicing stoicism in general, and in particular the writings here have been incredibly helpful!
I’m finding it all fascinating to watch it play out from a detached distance.
Keep up the good work.
Deep, real and pedagogical. Thank you.