Temporary Role etiquette

L[Deactivated] on 09/01/2017 - 19:58
Last edited 12/01/2017 - 20:06

Hi all, long time listener first time caller.

I currently work as a manager of a small department, my current boss will be on leave for 5 weeks and I am stepping up into her role. I will move into her office for the duration of her leave. The problem I have, is that her office is covered in photos, of her friends and there is lots of holiday memrobilia everywhere. To be honest, I really want her role permanently and i think that I am better at it than her.

I want to do big changes in the department so execs notice over this 5 week period. My question here is, can I take down all her photos and hide the memrobilia, to make the office mine. I was thinking about putting up my own stuff as well. I don't want her glaring down on me from all the photos..

Update
After a meeting with senior management today I had some excellent support for my ideas. A walk around the office has highlighted the poor image the company is purveying. Thus an office wide cleanup will be conducted. Especially targetting excessive photos!

On a final note. I would have to say, that you have to say true to yourself, otherwise you are just another grain of sand in a beach of people.

If I may finish with another quote:
Bravery and stupidity are the same thing, it's the outcome that determines the label…

We will see in a few months

Education & Work

closed Comments

        • JIMB0 on 10/01/2017 - 17:43

          And it could really ruin her holiday with worry and stress.

        • Click_It on 11/01/2017 - 19:28
          +2

          @JIMB0:

          So you're saying, do it?

    • drakarn_123 on 11/01/2017 - 10:13
      +5

      Could you put something proactive in front, like a whiteboard? Then you can write your uber pro boss notes and big vision drawings in front of the human graffiti.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 08:42
    +9

    Your capability will be evaluated on what impact you have on the business

    If you can make the business more profitable during this 5 week period then you have a chance.

    Showing you can tolerate any environment and work successfully without worrying about these trivial things will see you well. Yes, Frankly this stuff is trivial but it shows your lack of business maturity

    Do the work until you are mentally exhausted everyday , persevere the pictures and you could one day redesign the whole floor with pictures of you so every mofo knows

  • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 08:52
    +16

    take them down, when she comes back, set them all on fire infront of her.

    • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 10:14
      +4

      nah. shredder one. send email that you will shred one every day till she returns. then piss on her upon her return to show dominance.

  • Seraphin7 on 10/01/2017 - 09:15
    +1

    Is this fair dinkum?

    • phocus on 10/01/2017 - 11:59
      +53

      Make sure the replace the photos with something that shows you are a high achiever. Like a lion with a gazelle in it's mouth. You want to make sure that everyone that steps into "your" office knows you mean business.

    • Ughhh on 10/01/2017 - 12:19
      +38

      You don't think she'll find out through other employees?

      Might as well pee on the floor to show your dominance and to claim your territory.

      • EnALup on 10/01/2017 - 14:44
        +8

        Couldn't stop laughing on this.

        BTW, Acting managers can stay on their seat and do their role. You can use meeting rooms for meetings.
        Unless OP wants to show off to external clients about his new office. Unfortunately that's how many corporate work culture is to bite each other behind. Think of a situation when you are on leave with your role and someone else think the same.

    • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 13:24
      +10

      Gosh… You had to explain that you were back-filling a role for a period of time, but that the new client shouldn't worry as you're totally going to own the role anyway.

      You're worried about small stuff like that (and not able to turn that simple misunderstanding into an opportunity to form a rapport with the client), you're out of your depth and spending too much time worrying about the impression you make on the execs than the customers.

    • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:17
      +15

      No you don't need to remove them, you want to remove them.

      You explained to a customer that it's not your office normally, they would be fine with that. There is zero issue about the photos except it bugs you.

      • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 14:21
        +8

        It's a reminder that it's not their office, and dagnabbit, it should be! Those execs will see once these big changes are implemented and there's a cultural shift.

        Be all like BAM Sigma Sixing the shittoutta everything.

        Not only that, but everything's gonna get 5's and they'll be running lean as.

        Oh, and then a couple more corporatey words thrown in just so those execs are sure to see that the fort hasn't just been held, it's been conquered and is now under the safe control of bz.

        • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:31
          +1

          Six sigma, man that's a term I haven't heard for a long time. Geez that faded away as quick as it appeared.

        • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 14:55
          +1

          @PVA:
          Yup. But I think of it every time someone starts fapping around, "I MAKE BUSINESS.", and trying to talk corporate.

          I found it kinda interesting, the bit of it I did though.

        • chriise on 10/01/2017 - 16:38
          +4

          it's been conquered

          I think you mean "concored"

        • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 16:53
          +1

          @chriise: Dammit, I always get the correct spelling mixed with the made up made up one that was full of inflated ego.

        • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 18:26
          +1

          six sigma. theres a buzzword them corporate types use to utter with gusto. glad that fell by the wayside.

    • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 13:22
      +12

      No one has achieved anything by sticking to the status quo, so I won't be just removing the photos. Instead I'll be asking everyone else to do it. They can keep 2-3 in their office, the rest, we can display in the staff room on a board out of sight of clients.

      good luck with that. you are going to need it. no one is going to post personal or family photos in a staff room. work function photos. sure. but family and non work friend photos. thats a no.

        • darkchoc on 10/01/2017 - 14:34
          +12

          The backlash from your proposed approach will leave a bitter taste in those that don't share your view. Changing a culture takes time and care.

          You may end up peeving people off and working hours to convince people the need for change, implementing it. All the while, it does not affect bottom line.

          Good luck

        • andymatter on 10/01/2017 - 15:09

          @Newplace: What he said

        • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 18:59
          +1

          Why would someone have them in their office, where complete strangers and clients can see them.

          not a psychologist but i think its to do with having a constant reminder of why they are in the office. a human aspect and not feel just a corporate drone.

          that was the status quo back in the day. no personal effects at your desk. we all see how that slowly shifted. not going to say where I work but lets just say its a huge company. almost all if not all desks have personal effects. some are photos. some are toys.

          we still get the job done. thats where it counts. so long as we have happy customers. they likely not give 2 shits what our desks look like. and yes we have had customers come in for meetings. we have an open plan office.

    • goodcopbadcop on 10/01/2017 - 14:27
      +11

      You know, your true colours (and how you see yourself as a manager) are beginning to shine through. That autocratic decision making within an office environment is not how 'role model" managers (that you aspire to) should behave. If it bothers you to bring clients to her office, then be innovative and find a suitable space/room which can be a meeting room and take clients there. Or if nothing presents or is available, you can always meet the client at a coffee shop. Plenty of people do that these days because they work in an open office.

      It is actually not your place to determine new policies on how many photos can be in and around someone's work space.

      A couple of years ago, BHP set up a policy to wipe out personal items on an employee's desk - and if it was left there overnight, the cleaners were instructed to note it for management and throw it out! Three strikes and you were out!

      Power-hungry bosses looking to exert control over their staff do so at their own peril. Word travels fast and social media travels even faster…..

      • poppit88 on 12/01/2017 - 00:54

        I cannot believe a corporate company would do such a thing. Most people go to work to live, they don't want to live to work. How to demotivate and cause a morale drop in one stroke of the pen.

        Managers who act like this have obviously been at the top way too long and have forgotten what it's like to be the average worker.

        And as a potential future employee. If I were interviewing for a job with such a company and saw historical posts in my research - I'd can my interview and be telling them why! It's not the sort of company I'd want to work for.

    • lainey13 on 10/01/2017 - 15:16

      Wow, they put you in charge of everyone now? You must be feeling really important for the next 5 weeks now. You'll show tell them what to do!

    • Pratty on 11/01/2017 - 07:06

      Who are you?

    • prinsenhof on 11/01/2017 - 17:47

      This comment is so ambiguous, i read it as

      You are now asking your staff to remove 2-3 photos from your bosses office to keep them. The remaining will get moved to a common area for display.

      Generally speaking, a good manager is one who is clear/concise

    • Click_It on 11/01/2017 - 19:29
      +1

      Don't forget to put a few in the bathroom

    • airzone on 12/01/2017 - 12:23

      Sorry, you have a long way to go learning the soft skills side of management.

  • farknos on 10/01/2017 - 13:11
    +9

    wtf?
    if anyone in your work place reads this, it will make great reading in the lunch room for all.
    i love the new broom attitude but you are dreaming, i had a similar thought pattern in primary school when my older sister was sick for a few days and i had the opportunity to flex my muscles over the younger bros.
    for you to even think like you have written above is scary.
    be happy your acting in the role for 5 weeks and try not to make to many waves.

  • bob smith on 10/01/2017 - 14:08
    +3

    If the pictures are really bothering you, why don't you grab the biggest paper you can find and cover it. Or better yet, just work in your office and not move (if possible)?

    • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 14:12
      +1

      They can't move offices!!

      This is the boss's THEIR office.

      What if new clients know that the office he moves to isn't the "Boss" office… that won't be anywhere near as impressive.

      • bob smith on 10/01/2017 - 14:19
        +1

        Missed that part about the client.

        I don't know then, pee on the pictures to show dominance?

        • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 14:49
          +1

          I dunno… I'm warming to the idea of an explosive backstory to go with it, you know… A sad shake of the head… just one, single tear escapes.. a sad sigh… "We… we don't talk about it… we had a family day at the park… there was a petting zoo… there was some unpleasantness… there isn't a petting zoo anymore…"

  • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:19
    +9

    You are at work now, why are you posting here about staff being lacking and they need to remove photos.

    • EnALup on 10/01/2017 - 14:46
      +3

      Lol.
      When someone claim he/she is perfect and the world thinks otherwise. :)

  • Skramit on 10/01/2017 - 14:20
    +33

    The best way you can get ahead is to buy an $80k car and make sure you park in your bosses car spot while they are away. That way everyone will know who's in charge and they will be all "WOAH check out the $80k car…"

    Instant promotion.

    • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:24
      +6

      And have DA BOSS as the rego plates.

      • John Kimble on 10/01/2017 - 14:32
        +10

        You mean BZBOSS?

        • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:33

          Yeah, I didn't even realise that was the ops name. 😀

        • xuqi on 10/01/2017 - 16:28
          +5

          More likely BSBOSS. Always looking after, and covering #1's @$$.

        • kazozza on 11/01/2017 - 13:37
          +2

          What about BZBO$$ ?

          Gotta holla on da dollas!

      • Zondor on 10/01/2017 - 14:44
        +2

        All I can think of is that lonely island song now.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2017 - 03:13

      Please link me to this thread, I keep seeing references but don't get it and feel left out haha

  • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 14:23
    +3

    To be honest, I understand you want the role permanently but trying to make big changes quickly will just make you out to be be an ass to staff above and below you ( and to the person on leave) it won't impress at all.
    Tread gently and it will work better.

    Photos won't make people work slower but may make them love the job a bit more to go a bit further, an extra effort.

  • John Kimble on 10/01/2017 - 14:31
    +8

    The general consensus here is not to go ahead with the things you want to do. People are just giving you advice based on experience in the corporate world because you haven't given much background on the company. Perhaps your workplace is different or there is other information you haven't shared that would change people's minds (unlikely though).

    But by all means if you think you are the exception to the rule and you have support of other staff, then go for it.

    You just have to realise that sticking your neck out with such behaviour is risky and could backfire. If you are young, have no financial obligations and are confident you can easily find a new job, ie have nothing to lose, then it could be worth the risk. You could prove us all wrong. But chances are it will ruin your reputation or worse.

    Please report back after 5 weeks as I would be interested to know how you go!

  • Viderzo on 10/01/2017 - 14:56
    +5

    wowzer, you are showing a level of power trip not even a couple of days into your (temporary) role. I agree with the others, you will definitely be noticed by the higher up… adversely. And pray tell how are you to explain the collapse in engagement level of your small department when you decide to play little stalin

  • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 15:50

    OP What industry is this company in?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2017 - 07:56

      most likely IT company lol.

  • k-rokfm on 10/01/2017 - 16:07
    +7

    I can see the thread in 5 weeks time:

    "I got fired after filling in for my boss because they said i was too aggressive and everyone hated me for no reason"

  • Gronk on 10/01/2017 - 16:11
    +4

    Day 1 as a manager and you're already down playing your current manager's abilities AND questioning company policy? Seriously, slow down before you embarrass yourself.

    For just a second consider this scenario from the point of view of your current manager - by the sounds of things the way they've decorated the office is not against company policy, it's also their personal property so don't be surprised if they're interpret it as a personal attack if you do go ahead and move the photos.

    The reality is that if your co-worker's photos are putting you off the pill to the extent that you can't perform your duties, then you're not a manager's a**hole.

  • FittyFitty on 10/01/2017 - 16:30
    +1

    One just doesn't do big changes, especially in 5 weeks…

  • zond on 10/01/2017 - 16:35
    +4

    Mr Kevin Rudd, is it really you!!

    • pawan1993 on 11/01/2017 - 01:45

      I feel that Gough Whitlam would have been more relevant.

  • Moderatorneil on 10/01/2017 - 16:37

    Users are encouraged and welcome to give their opinions but attacking the OP is not acceptable. Commenting Guidelines

  • Your Friend on 10/01/2017 - 16:45
    +1

    Thank you for this OP, I had a good chuckle

  • dogboy on 10/01/2017 - 17:10
    +4

    If I were you, I wouldn't move into her office at all.

  • Neptunesblood on 10/01/2017 - 17:12
    +16

    I'm often asked to fill in for the role of my manager when he is on leave but I never move to his office or desk. I expect him to have an "out of office" message in his email explaining that I'm acting manager and an email sent to the business saying this. Which he does. The rest just follows from that. My merit is on me stepping up, not where I sit. Have I missed something here?

    • Adz81 on 10/01/2017 - 18:04
      +8

      The bit where OP plans on sniping the job out from the current manager.

      • Neptunesblood on 10/01/2017 - 18:44

        Ah yes, but natural attrition should take care of that and merit.

    • PVA on 10/01/2017 - 18:28
      +2

      I am the same. I stay sitting where I am, I dont need to move desks.

      I am doing someone elses role, I don't need their seat to do it.

      • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 18:30

        the chief has their own office. the headhuncho. the big cheese. the big kahuna. lol

  • hell0 on 10/01/2017 - 17:35

    I think if youw ant to re-model the office you should take a photo of everything so you can put it back when she gets back.

    However, if you think you can do a better job, then prove yourself with actions.

    • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 18:29

      it starts with remodelling the real boss' office.

  • marka on 10/01/2017 - 18:30
    +1

    Talks like a troll, acts like a troll, smells like a troll.

    • hell0 on 10/01/2017 - 18:47
      +4

      Possibly, but I think that the scary truth is that OP is real but under 21 and considers themselves to be able to fix all and everything.

      • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 19:01

        just like the financial investment superstar looking to impress with an $80k car.

    • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 19:54
      +5

      Well as i have said before the photos are a big distraction to me personally but most of all they are a reflection of the despect for the company.

      again. not your office.

      yes it might look distracting seating at someone elses desk with their personal effects and this is your opinion so you are entitled to it. what you are not entitled to do is rummage through other peoples belongings however.

      yes nothing says looking down on the company than having a photo of my wife and kids at my own desk. /sarcasm

      There is no regulation about what can be displayed on the walls, but there is a standard that needs to be upheld.

      pray tell what this standards are. last I checked our corporate standard was so long as what you have on your desk does not offend others then its kosher. things like I cant have a playboy calendar on my wall just to give you an idea.

      Many workplaces have an unspoken dress code, I see this as the same.

      we do to. smart casual. hell jeans tshirts. why not. except when meeting with clients. then you suit up.

      My bosses desk is one of many which need a make over. There are people who are just too comfortable in their job and need a reality check.

      trying to out boss the boss. we can see you going places. just not the right places.

      speaking of a reality check. perhaps you can start from within.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 19:58
        -7

        I guess it is easy to judge on the face value of what I have written. This is not the forum to go into detail and give examples of how unprofessional it is. As I said I am not the only person with this view.

        • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 20:52
          +6

          On the contrary. This as good a forum as any. Ozbargain folk hail from all walks of life and professions.

          You want to talk unprofesional. You wanting to rummage through your colleagues personal belongings. You bagging your boss instead of showing with your actions how you are a better candidate for this managerial role.

          As for enacting this limit on photos or personal effects one can have at their desk. Lets just say. Worry about the day to day operations and quit sweating the small stuff.

          Forests from the trees. See the big picture.

          You are so caught up in this being the boss you already getting way too far ahead of yourself.

          As yellowdeiselgolf said. Them 5 weeks will fly. Before you know it your best laid plans of taking over will have passed and whatever changes you made will have been reported by your subordinates. And any if not all things they do not agree with will have been repealed.

          Also any backlash from your actions will likely come back to bite you.

    • YellowDieselGolf on 10/01/2017 - 19:58
      +17

      1) Any changes that can be enacted by you within five weeks can be undone within the first week you return to your normal job.

      2) People will hate you for waiting until your boss is gone to make any improvements.

      3) I would give you every crappy task under the sun (twice) if you remodelled my desk while I was on holiday.

      4) Your team will react badly and perform as such.

      5) As a client, bad spelling and made up words would worry me more than some photos.

      6) Its five weeks mate. I worked as a regional manager for two months while my boss was on holidays and it was a blur. You won't have time to scratch yourself.

      7) Listen to every person on this topic. You've come here and asked for advice and it's overwhelimingly negative but you've already made your mind up. Just do your best. Don't be a megalomaniac and let the results do the talking.

      • bluedufflecoat on 11/01/2017 - 08:42

        1) Any changes that can be enacted by you within five weeks can be undone within the first week you return to your normal job.

        So true… I think Trump wants to get rid of Obamacare.

    • Ughhh on 10/01/2017 - 23:01
      +13

      I think you are very narrow minded. You sound book smart, like a robot, but not people smart. Definitely not a mind of a respectable leader, no offence.

      Photos of family in the office can bring a sense of 'closeness' to your clients. People like people who are alike, client may initiate conversations about the photos and it may give you something to bond over or give a platform to find a common interest eg. fishing. You can then network from there. That being said, I'm not saying that the wall should be all covered in photos.

      If I was your colleague, I would probably tell you I agree with you and tell you to go for it- take the bosses office. Then I'd make some popcorn.

  • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 19:35
    +16

    OP.. let me break it down for you.

    I currently work as a manager of a small department, my current boss will be on leave for 5 weeks and I am stepping up into her role.

    thats nice you are taking on extra responsibilities. shows character in leadership.

    I will move into her office for the duration of her leave.

    you dont have to. you want to. learn and understand the difference. there is likely no reason you cannot perform the task of the boss who is on leave.

    The problem I have, is that her office is covered in photos, of her friends and there is lots of holiday memrobilia everywhere.

    as one does seeing its her office.

    To be honest, I really want her role permanently and i think that I am better at it than her.

    the trademark of a great leader is not one to bag others but rather display it in their actions to show they can perform. the old adage you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk.

    I want to do big changes in the department so execs notice over this 5 week period.

    it does not start with upsetting the underlings with stalin like actions of banning personal items at your desk except your own.

    My question here is, can I take down all her photos and hide the memrobilia, to make the office mine.

    make office yours by owning the role and not just owning the office space.

    I was thinking about putting up my own stuff as well. I don't want her glaring down on me from all the photos.

    simple solution. stay where you are. I mean your current desk. when my boss temporarily took over the big boss role. he sat where he was before. he simply got what needed to be done from where he was.

    just a parting note.

    micromanaging the staff will likely piss more people off than make them look up to you. specially if you are just filling in.

    • StewBalls on 11/01/2017 - 13:15
      +3

      micromanaging the staff will likely piss more people off than make them look up to you. specially if you are just filling in.

      This…so much this…in our office you'd be laughed at & told to piss off for trying to throw your weight around when acting up…you'd then be the office joke for your foreseeable career!

  • bah humbug on 10/01/2017 - 19:44
    +8

    bzboss

    Member Since23 hours 55 min ago.

    You are obviously the best person for the job, clearly.

    Why stop there. Rename the company & sack your boss too. You the man :)

    • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 19:56
      -6

      Well actually this is a problem with many organisation, people who have been working the longest move up. It often doesn't go on merit. You don't have to work at a place for long to be able to run it. Many organisations will get a new external CEO.

      • John Kimble on 10/01/2017 - 20:04

        Well actually this is a problem with many organisation, people who have been working the longest move up. It often doesn't go on merit.

        This is the only point I agree with you on. This does happen a lot unfortunately. There are many people who have become Manager level or above (just because they have been there for a while) who are terrible at it. I can understand if this forms part of your motivation to usurp your manager, but if they have been there a while it means they most likely have close relationships with many people and trying to undermine/circumvent that is unlikely.

        I still don't agree or think your approach will do anything positive for you, but you seem pretty set on doing it anyway.

      • bluesky on 10/01/2017 - 20:49
        +7

        It proves my point even more (see comment) that it is better to work with the boss, instead of against him or her. Then, you can rise with the tide.

        See if you can relate to this story. In another job, I was now manager. At some point, I thought it a good idea to take in an Eng/MBA chap, for fresh ideas, perspectives etc. A while later, this chap thought he could do a better job, since he was MBA and all.

        Since I instigated a relatively flat structure, where anybody can access anybody, including higher management - he did not even wait for my vacation. He went to CEO with some proposal/strategy, and said how if given the reigns, he could do a better job.

        So, CEO called me up, showed me his proposals/strategy, and I dissected it, point by point, and showed how flaky the proposal was.

        Not being the vindictive kind, I didn't want to sack him. I told CEO if he believed there were any merits in the chap’s proposals, the chap could report directly to him, and given a parallel stream as testing ground. But I didn’t want him in my team anymore, since he clearly did not want to work for me.

        So, in the end, I didn't even have to dismiss him. CEO did, as there was no one to take him on.

        • bluesky on 10/01/2017 - 23:42

          …how if given the reigns reins, he could do a better job.

        • spaij on 11/01/2017 - 01:32
          +3

          @bluesky:
          I thought it was a pun =)

        • Bunnyburger on 11/01/2017 - 17:42
          +1

          @bluesky: Nice try MBA man!

  • zeomega on 10/01/2017 - 20:35
    +8

    Stop yacking and DO IT. Why bother wasting time and justifying what you've already decided? Soon you'll be the CEO.

    Best to learn from the school of hard knocks.

  • eneloop on 10/01/2017 - 20:55

    This guy is my type of guy, I would employ him in 5 mins

    • xoom on 10/01/2017 - 21:00
      +12

      And on the sixth minute he would be telling the world how he could do a better job than you and try to start an uprising to unseat you from your spot.

  • sparkles on 10/01/2017 - 21:05
    +1

    If you want to keep your job, let alone be promoted at a later date, do not move her stuff. Perhaps photo what it looks like, and move away some of the more glaring or annoying stuff, and make sure it's returned exactly as it was before she returns.

    From your posts it sounds like you want to go on a five week power trip. Beware, your minions may just revolt while the real boss is gone. Remember you are a caretaker, nothing more, nothing less.

  • save my dollarydoos on 10/01/2017 - 21:09
    +10

    How old is OP and how long have you been there? I'm assuming early twenties and you've been there for less than a year.

    I won't lie. I chuckled at this myself but a few observations I would like to make in case it's helpful.

    The OP has a naive, narrow vision yet enthusiastic and youthful inexperienced flavour to it. So

    Congrats for getting the gig.

    I would like to know why you are filling in instead of one of the others in your office.

    Cause I bet dollars to donuts - the manager who went on holidays had a say in it and picked you.

    They likely see something in you, and think you can handle the job and develop from it and do it permanently.

    By going behind your supervisors back you are displaying you do not possess qualities that are important - honesty, integrity, loyalty etc.

    No matter how good your ideas are - they won't measure up against that in the eyes of their bosses. You will be shooting yourself in the foot and will likely bring on the need to change jobs for any career progression and development.

    They will not fire the manager/replace no matter what after 5 weeks holidays no matter how well you do. Sorry. It's the truth. Against the law and all.

    By causing dissent you are just guaranteeing you won't be asked to fill in again. Full stop.

    Causing a ruckus in terms of office movement / redecorating shows you have the priorities mixed up.

    This is just one of the reasons why you don't know more than your manager. A lot of people coming up in the workforce make this assumption and are usually wrong.

    Your manager handles a lot more than they taught you. They won't tell you every in and out of the job. Not for 5 weeks. They didn't have to.

    Thats just my experience 12 - 13 year experience and observations of watching and listening to colleagues / office politics across several companies big and small, government departments etc.

    I've seen a lot of tall poppies cut down. Myself included. Best of luck OP.

    Edit. Hope the gist came across. Posting by phone blows.

    Edit 2. Spring for pizza for the team if you can afford it. If you do well in this job some of the credit goes to the staff under you. A token gesture like this resonates pretty well

    Edit 3. Personal relationships play a massive role in career development. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Doesn't matter what rung on the ladder they are. The value of personal relationships can't be overstated. That goes internally and externally like clients and stakeholders.

    As for the All Hail Corporate / No photos attitude. You'll find that your bosses bosses bosses keep personal items around. They are display of personal interests and quite often icebreakers / conversation starters. See above re: Personal relationships

    • aussieprepper on 10/01/2017 - 23:02
      +2

      The OP could of been picked because they are incompetent. Maybe manager wants to keep the job they have so the OP was chosen because of their skill set or lack of! lol Some times ambition out weights skill.

  • brokenglish on 10/01/2017 - 21:27
    +2

    Best read so far in my OzB days…

    • iSamurai on 11/01/2017 - 22:31
      +1

      Although the $80k car thread was also gold.

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