take charge or sit back?

Question

I seem to be in a power struggle at work. I am only 5 months into my job, and I came to this one with a lot of experience. I want to do a good job, but the politics are such that my supervisor saids "oh don't concern yourself with that." I am of a temperament that I kind of need (or want) to be in control, not overriding the bosses but acknowledged for what I know. Plz help me know what is best.

Answer 1

If you sit back like a good little girl and don't make any waves, that is what you are going to be know for. A good little girl that doesn't make waves.
It sounds to me that your supervisor is a little nervous about her position. She is going to retard the growth and progress of anyone she feels knows more than she.
You might start off by making documented suggestions. Document them so she can't claim they are her ideas. Then take it from there.
I would rather hire someone who is going to help my company then one who sits on their thumbs.
Retired Treasurer.

Answer 2

The truth will set you free.

A. Sounds like you're unhappy. B. You appear to have a personality that needs to be boss instead of taking orders. There may be other contributing causes but your question only sketchily hinted in those directions. Another strong possibility is that C. you are into control and/or D. you possibly do not respect your bosses much.

For the sake of argument, let's say that A. you're unhappy is a true statement. If so, it's important to do a real self-appraisal. Are you unhappy because of a malcontent personality or because the conditions at work are such that 95% of people in your shoes would feel the same?

If you're a malcontent, nothing I say can relieve this problem, only you can decide to live, think, speak and communicate differently with yourself and the world around you. If you are in a terrible situation, you need to 1. find another job offer and 2. quit.

You also need to come to terms with any issues regarding control. It may be that you might need to relinquish much control, possibly a huge amount of it, to advance your career until you can play the part of boss . . . maybe, or maybe you go part way and gain experience while giving up much control until a proper time to apply for a boss position elsewhere.

If you don't like or respect your bosses much, you probably won't learn much from them. Are you justified in your attitude? Can you at least respect certain knowledge and certain behaviors of theirs and learn from that?

Good luck.

Answer 3

If your direct boss is saying don't concern yourself with such, I would take my cue to lay back for a little while. You never know who's toes you are stepping on. Your time will come. You will be called upon to pick up more responsibility when it is needed.

A lot of people don't realize the value of having someone in their employ that will do as instructed.

Answer 4

This is a tricky situation. Its really tough to answer this without knowing the job, the personality of the boss, and other circumstances. If you think these decisions will directly affect how well you can do your job, or how well any given task can be done, defaintely make it known to your boss. If it is clear he doesn't want to hear it, then it isn't worth you getting upset about it. Its his fault if he doesn't want the company to be more effecient. If its that big of a deal, you can express the desire for moving to another position.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

sit back......the last thing you want your employer to think is that you are not a 'team player'.....at least with their team..if you do 'take control' don't be surprised about getting laid off the next time your company decides to down size. You are there to perform a job, not to socialize. No matter how much your boss 'seems' to like you, you are not indispensable. If you become entangled in some drama on the job....it looks VERY bad. ~leaving

Answer 6

If you're not the boss don't try to be one. If you wanted to be in control you should have applied for management. Not trying to be rude but you may be looking through the classifieds if you get too insistant. That's great that you have a lot of experience and I'm sure they saw it on your resume or they wouldn't have hired you.

Answer 7

Not being rude but please read books on people's skills. You sound like some who wants to be in control, in charge. Use your job mate to invest in evening to set up your business.

Your character is dominant but sometimes you've got to understand the one who wins is not the one who is right but the one, who works with the team for the team wins. If you shine the light back at the team, managers, you will always win.

But please read books on people skills. Not because you haven't got any but even top CEO's still read books on people skills because the world is about business. The one who succeeds is the one who knows how to work with people.

And yes, your boss is saying in a nice way, "back off."

Answer 8

Dang, don't override your supervisor!!! You need that person to be on YOUR side, not against YOU!!! Have a talk with that person telling them how you feel and your work ethics (not in a demeaning way) and see what they say!!! It should only get you more respect from that person!!!

Answer 9

Well, you're not the boss, and the boss pays you to do your job, I'd say sit back, wait for a promotion or get a better job.

Answer 10

When your supervisor says "oh don't concern yourself with that.", do not listen to this person.
He/She is trying to slow down your progress.
Be your own person, and keep doing a good job.
You will be noticed!