How considerate. That’s never happened before. “Is there someone less senior you’d like me to contact,” asked a nice lady in another team, “for my trifling issues in future?” I thought for a moment. Well, all of my colleagues should be able to assist. But then I reconsidered. Our reality: ours is a team that …
Oh dear, my pragmatism is throwing me into conflict with the exactitude of my colleagues. As it happens, I’m all for that precision. But only in relation to the important things. Indeed, I’m usually the one demanding everyone do things properly in that sphere. But being pragmatic for the wider good, in order to keep …
Generally, I don’t work very hard at work. Sometimes I do, naturally. If I have a deadline, or feel particularly engaged by a project. But, by and large, I am often distracted. To such an extent that I honestly feel undeserving of my salary. Those around me, though, don’t see it that way. They have …
This morning, a subtle change in SharePoint caught my attention, but not in a good way. Microsoft has introduced a faint animation on interface elements meant to convey depth. It’s a small change, barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it. And yet, it irked me. Not because it was particularly offensive, but because it epitomises …
I don’t think I have imposter syndrome. I think I am an imposter. I also don’t think I deserve my salary, but I can’t say this because my family depends on me. I’ve worked basically the same role for fifteen years now, and sometimes I wonder how. I didn’t set out with a plan. I …
I hate presenting to bigwigs. They make me feel so small. All I can say is there’s a reason I occupy a different socio-economic status to my siblings and peers. I’ll hand back to my manager from here on. I’m better working quietly in the background, my voice unheard.
A colleague decided to dispense with diplomacy today when they commented on my dreary, monotonous voice. I was delivering training to a group when they told me I sound like someone who just can’t be bothered, mimicking me before the group. To my relief, another colleague assured her that it’s just my Yorkshire manner, while …
Today, I’ve been playing piggy in the middle. Between the non-technical technical project manager in the technical team and the non-technical head of delivery with the supplier. At the mention of our content security policy, both sides draw a blank. Perhaps it’s the first time any of the supplier’s customers have had one. I’m the …
You must trek into the centre of a regional city for a meeting because… it improves productivity. Honestly, I find this a spurious argument. Firstly because our organisation covers a vast geographic area, and yet daily I collaborate successfully with teams based at sites across four large counties. Secondly because the travel time required to …
Oh, wow, I have been invited to join the big kids at the next programme board, after all. I better trim my beard and practice speaking in front of the mirror, lest I blow it.
I spent Sunday morning completing work for a colleague. Why? Because I promised I would deliver. The result: what I thought would please them. A polished and compliant end product, ready for them to take over. Were they satisfied? Of course not! Instead of appreciation, complaints and criticism. Which rather hammers home all that my …
Have I been heard at work? Don’t get your hopes up. Everyone made the right noises, but I have been here before. All the proposed solutions have been mentioned repeatedly, only to go nowhere at all. I won’t consider it progress made until I see action in place of words. Until then, it’s all just talk.
I’m starting to think I could be a Head of something. I have far more skills than the Heads of around me. Though, admittedly, that is a very low bar to surpass. This morning, I taught a Head of how to copy and paste text from a web page.
One day, while tidying up the office, I came across my manager’s notes from my job interview. At the top, she’d scribbled, “Overqualified?” It turned out that I was. On my first day in post, my manager sat with me and went through my job description, stripping out everything that had attracted me to the …
Maybe I should take three days off every week. I’ve just had the most productive two days’ work in ages. Back to my usual self.
