Communications

[peaches2160]

Ever find yourself feeling like you are working in "osmosis" with your boss?  Not in sync?  Leave voice mails on cell phone and no return calls?  Send inquiries for clarification via e-mail with no response, or response 2 - 3 days later after the fact?

I don't want to be too overbearing with the new boss and continually hound for clarifications, but it is becoming more and more frustrating trying to be proactive and not receiving information I need.  Then, when something falls through I see the "view from under the bus" so to speak. 

I know one cannot compare old bosses to new and must adapt to the new bosses work style.  However, new boss will not put the word out that I manage the schedule for example.  Lets people continue to call direct to cell and send through meeting notices at a whim,  or promise customer meetings that boss cannot make due to other commitments instead of insisting they work through me when scheduling.  Does not keep me in the loop on things.  I am expected to piece together matters through access to e-mail which do not always include the big picture and the details of "one off" cell phone conversations with the other party.

I am trying to grin and bear it, and make reference to the fact communications are not where they should be.  It is becoming increasingly frustrating.  New boss does not like old bosses office which new boss moved into, and voices it publicly to staff.  To the point that last week they were in town for a meeting.  I came back to my office to find one of bosses direct reports in the office just "checking it out" to see if it was as bad as had been stated by new boss at the previous nights group dinner.  I was a bit taken back as the office is one of the nicest in the building. However, new boss finds it too cold, or then too hot, and refers to it as a "cave".  Says old boss hated it too!  Old boss never complained, and when I pointed that out was told "oh, knowing him he wouldn't.  Ha!  He would be the first to tell me if something were not right.  New boss has a way of manipulating things to their advantage and does not always speak true picture, this reputation precedes them.

I have a feeling new boss is frustrated and not happy about having to give up old office at old location and drive further distance to work now.  However, at that level if the new role demands it, .........

Let me know how you would handle if you found yourself in this situation.  Appreciate the input.

Old boss kept me in the loop on everything and although out of the country now, (new boss reports dotted line to old boss)  old boss keeps me in the loop on matters related to that area of the business. 

I guess I was spoiled and miss working as a team.  I am now the one expected to piece it all together without all of the pieces and create lists and org charts of people I don't even know work in the organization now across the country.  Like everywhere else, we are expected to do more with less resources, and I have been given additional tasks.   I am feeling like the doormat dumping ground with no backing from new boss.  Hopefully I will look back on this post in 6 mos - 1year and things will better.  I am taking the attitude "this too shall pass" and after boss realizes what I am capable of, the working relationship will improve.   I am trying to adjust and realize this does take time.  It has been 2 months and maybe I am being impatient. 

Your views are appreciated.   

[gee4]

Peaches, I hate to say it, but that is life.

I have come across this attitude in a lot of companies I have worked and in recent years dealt with a very awkward character.  No matter what I did or suggested, he just carried on doing what HE wanted.  In the end there was nothing I could do.

If you can, I suggest having a quiet word initially to explain your frustration and how things could work better if only X, Y and Z would happen.  I tried this, so hopefully your boss might be a little more "open".

Remember as I have said many times, a lot of managers/directors do not want to be managed 100% of the time, whereas others require you to practically spoon feed them.  It depends on the individual.  Maybe this person wants to change things a bit.  Have you established that?  How he wants to work?  Did you sit down and discuss things?

The one thing I would take advantage of is your review or appraisal.  If things haven't changed in 6-12 months then that is your opportunity to highlight how frustrating it is "trying to be proactive and not receiving information I need".  If you can't get that across now, then file and note it for future reference.

[AngelM]

I can certainly relate to the communication element of your post!  My boss is exactly the same.  He will instruct clients and 3rd parties to ring me to schedule meetings - they call expecting me to have an indepth knowledge of their query - and I have never heard of them!  A particular favourite will be arranging meetings with another PA's boss - and wondering why it has not miraculously found its way into his diary! Well that would be because neither myself nor the diary are psychic and the other PA will (rightly) presume I have been informed!

Another favourite will be agreeing to a meeting via email - forgetting to copy me in and then again wondering why said meeting hasn't been posted in the diary!  Textbook busy boss behaviour! 

Regarding the office, I agree with you that he is feeling resentful at leaving his old office and travelling further to work.  Hopefully in time he will realise he has to be a grown up and if he wants the new role then he has to take the new office.  We have had a refurb at our offices recently and the promise of shiny new desks has certainly helped sugar the pill of those reluctant to move.  Could you ask him if he wants to put his stamp on the place? Maybe something to make him feel more at home?

[gee4]

Peaches,

How has your week been?

[chikky]

I have this problem now.  Lack of communication is SO frustrating.  I arrived at work today to knock off a couple of things on my to-do list while Bossie is out of the office.  Didn't happen. So far I have done nothing but look for "needles in haystacks" for things Bossie communicated or sent to me (which he didn't).  So far, my crystal ball is working and have been able to locate the "needles." 

[peaches2160]

Chikky:

Welcome to a day in my world now.  Hmmm, maybe it's some thing in the water.  It does make for a long and tiresome day and ultimately, longer and more tiredsome week.  I am keeping a positive attitude though, and just doing what I can do.  Trying to keep the priorities straight that I am privvy to the bits and pieces of. 

[gee4]

Peaches,

Did you manage to speak to your boss, or establish how to make things better for him?  You didn't really say you've taken any steps to do anything so just wondered since I have had first hand experience of this and similar situations.

I have long been posting on this site about lack of communication with various bosses I have had over the years, but it fell on deaf ears. Maybe now some of you will realise what I have had to put up with.

I've been given advice to do this and that, some of which I tried, but at the end of the day you cannot change someone or how they work.  You might be able to make things better for yourself but if someone isn't getting the message then there is very little you can do. 

I think some people in roles of power, like to exert power on others and keep on complaining.  It's very much like a child seeking attention.

[peaches2160]

Gee

Barely see the boss to communicate face to face.  Try telephone and leave messages, which are not returned or returned a day or two later after the fact and I have already taken measures around seeking their input to get the matter taken care of.  Very unusual situation I am not accustomed to.  Hate to put it in an e-mail, as I feel that is lowering my communication skills.  Things of this nature are better dealt with in person face to face.  Boss is not happy with having to relocate office, as I posted previously, so every chance that presents itself, boss works at home out of their home office. I am not sure from one day t the next when boss will show up at my door as boss just dials into meetings unless there is a face to face with their boss.   I go for several days with no verbal communications or interaction at all.  Except, eMails forwarded to me that state "respond to this".  My response is "I have it and will respond ....." or Already done".  I am not used to copying Boss on every communication I send out, since their inbox is full as it is.  I copy only on those things of urgency, not scheduling meetings where it is just stating when available, etc.  The statement was made to me "we don't have to be in the same location.  After all, how often do we interact, unless I need something".  This leaves no time to schedule anything face to face.  I have called on  few occassions to get voice mail and leave a message stating "would like to review blah blah", and may get a return call a couple days later with the response, "got your message, is that taken care of?"  I guess I am adjusting to this new style and will continue to do so.  This is the style, it is what it is "Osmosis Mode". 

[gee4]

I am not sure from one day t the next when boss will show up at my door as boss just dials into meetings unless there is a face to face with their boss.   I go for several days with no verbal communications or interaction at all.

Peaches,
I am so sorry to hear this.  It can't be doing much for you since you were so in zinc with your previous boss...so frustrating!

I know what you mean about replying to emails...I try not to email my boss either but on occasion I do it for info if he is out of the office.

This individual obviously has huge issues with his office environment...very childish that he cannot adapt.  We all have to adapt to things at the end of the day but it's hard to manage someone and their diary when they are out of the office and there is no communication.

Keep posting on here.  We are here to listen and help where we can. 

[gee4]

On a scale of 1-10...how bad is this for communication, emailed by our Events and Internal Communications Manager...

...Team Briefs for 2011 have now been calandarised as below...

Calandarised?  Is there such a word?  Cringeworthy!

I would have worded it...Please find below Team Briefs scheduled for 2011...

[JessW]

Sounds like a youngster with little grammar and even less common sense (Outlook has a Calendar, and the events are in the Calendar so therefore they are calendarised!)  Better word would maybe be 'diarised', but then what do I know, eh?

Jess 

[peaches2160]

And this person is a Communications Manager?  Rutro!!