As most of you know, I've been trying to quit my corporate job for over a month now. When I spoke to my boss at the end of February, I had 3 things that I wanted to complete to ensure that the role would transition nicely to the next person. There were 2 very involved projects that were late in the "work" stages of the process. The remaining component was just a pure job transfer piece - making sure that the new person had the files and the introductions needed to work well.
Now, since I'm planning to work on our business, and probably start our next business, write a book and do whatever else interests me, I don't have a hard end date for leaving my job. And since my boss knows that I know that he is in a tough position - understaffed and having trouble finding qualified folks - he is asking, very nicely, that I stay and cover a few things for him after I finish my current role.
And that is where we get into DWYSYWD. That acronym is familiar to most in my line of work - be they business/strategy consultants, process improvement people, or Six Sigma people - as well as just about anyone who has ever been involved in business compliance audits. It means Do What You Say You Will Do. And it is how I prefer to work. So, when I told my boss that I would help him out until "the end of June or until I can't manage it anymore", I intend to make it until the end of June.
Now, to complete the transition(s) that I would like to finish before I go at the end of June, my boss has to do several things: Craft and publish a few e-mails, interview a bunch of candidates (for 2 roles now, since I'll be covering a different role in the interim) and hire/transfer 2 employees. But, based on the fact that the first e-mail took 5 weeks to draft and still hasn't been sent out, I'm starting to wonder if we really will make the end of June deadline. In other words, unless something changes, there is a good chance that I WON'T by able to DWISIWD by the end of June.
So, here is my question to you: how have you handled this? I've done some managing of my manager - nothing fierce yet, though that is where I'm heading with him tomorrow - but he has, quite frankly, been far too overwhelmed to be responsive to even written requests. In my head, I'm drawing the line at June. But I do have some concerns about how to get the boss there from here....
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6 comments:
I would write him and start listing things like:
"As discussed I am leaving Amex at end June so before then we need to make sure the follwing happens
bla
bla
bla
As I know you are busy I can talk to payroll to ensure they know my final date, as well as share with the people I am working with that I am leaving but that you have it all in hand."
LOVE being able to play it hard! Its not like you care if he doesnt love you forever. You go girl! Be less nice. As we say at home: Cows are nice but that doesnt mean you fck them. (OK a bit rude but to the point: Nice is Not Good.
Besides its not like they will move until you move, til then they are covering ears and eyes and singing LALALALA hoping you will just contine going.
Take care!
Ev(il)a
Do they REALLY say that? Dang! Now THAT is funny! I'm still giggling!
Evova's ideas are the best I can think of. If you decide instead to stay until such and such is finished, don't just drift into it; discuss it. Otherwise he'll just think you'll stay forever. Ultimately remember the old, "your lack of planning does not constitute my emergency". Hmm - my little saying is not nearly so catchy, huh
I like that... Will use in future as it seems to be a coporate bug spreading like the plague. or with BA...
"Dear head of British Airways
While I am sorry to hear that you are very busy with the less than successful opening of Terminal 5 I feel it is only fair to stress that your bad planning should not become my emergency."
1-1 yesterday was rather blunt. He said that the announcement would go out last night. Of course, I haven't seen it yet....
Go you! No more Mrs Nice Girl.
I am sitting here drinking Stoneleigh (mmm) wondering if you will have time for a visit to the French market in my little suburb on Sun 27th...
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