What petty problems are you sorting out?

  • By Sian Taylor
  • •
  • 31 Jul, 2018
  • •

The things they don't tell you in a job description

Really?

Really seriously?

You’re really seriously asking me this?!

Really????!!?

 

It’s about a desk. Someone else’s desk, not mine. But I’m being asked to get involved in sorting this out.

 

I’m not sure what my expression is.

I’m trying to keep it neutral.

 

Inside however…

I don’t have time for this

Why are you asking me?

Surely you can sort this out for yourself?

Why is it such a big deal?

Is this really what I’m being paid to deal with?

 

It’s clearly gotten under this person’s skin. I can see it. The anger, frustration. It’s personal.

 

And whilst I get that their workspace is important to them, I have so many other more urgent things to do, this is not one I want to get involved in.

 

They’re standing there waiting…

 

------

 

That sinking feeling of disbelief has struck me again.

 

It’s another gripe about space. This time intrusion across invisible boundaries, and the disorder left in their wake.

 

This touches a nerve. I get it. Cleanliness and tidiness are important in my workspace too.

 

But why can’t you just sort it out yourselves?

 

------

 

And so it continues.

 

It’s never a flood, but a constant incessant stream of wound up people venting about their problems.

 

---

 

I can try to ignore it.

I can tell them to sort it out themselves.

I can step in and sort it out.

I can help the person who’s come to me try to find their own way through it.

 

I sigh.

Experience has taught me, the sooner I do something, the less mess there will be to clean up.


------

 

The question is still there though – is dealing with all these petty problems really what I’m being paid to do?

 

------

 

And the answer I’ve found is yes.

Because it turns out those problems are not as insignificant as they first appear.

 

------

 

It’s not in any job description, it’s one of those unwritten things. The sort of thing you only find out about when you get the job.


The question is, how do you do it without it becoming the only  thing you do?
If these experiences sound familiar and you'd like to talk to me about how I can help you, then get in touch

If these experiences sound familiar and you'd like to talk to me about how we could work together, then get in touch

sian@siantaylorcoaching.co.uk

07598 582787
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