An Unhealthy Dose of Company Politics
I will try to be as vague as I can in this post while telling the whole story all at the same time. I've been working in the new division of my company for about 8 months. I made the move when the previous department couldn't match the salary I was offered and frankly, I felt completely undervauled and underpaid. It's a volatile department. Great things come out of it, but the politics are a nightmare. I have a few good friends in there and last week one of them was pushed to the breaking point and turned in his resignation in hopes that change would be made and he could stay. This was devastating news because he is the heart of that department and probably the heart of the entire company. I've worked with him since I started here and was really sad to hear his news. Yesteday a few of us were taking our new Associate Editor to lunch across the street from our building and saw him and his manager there too. He didn't look very happy. When we got back he and I talked and while the company first would not accept his resignation, they have decided not to fix the problem and let him leave. He looked like he had been crying and I have to say I got a little teary-eyed when we were talking about it. My division is hoping to bring him to our side if things look up in the 1st quarter of next year. He is an extremely talented individual and could do well anywhere.
The thing that I find interesting about all of this is the surprise in his attitude. He said that everything happens for a reason and while things have not always been ideal that he's happy to look for new opportunities and even go on a vacation he wasn't going to be able to take. When even I was protesting that it wasn't fair and they were making a huge mistake. I am always inpressed when I see people that have somewhat of an eternal perspective about things, without really knowing it. I think it would make us us all a little happier to think that way.
Company politics are the WORST! It is one of the things that I hate most about the working world. It can be pretty frustrating, but I'm glad this guy has such a good attitude about it. It will make things much easier, and there may be something great out there for him that he never would have found if he'd stayed put. And he has to feel pretty good about taking a stand and all that good stuff.
That's sad when politics overrides talent, especially when that person is a good employee. Aren't you glad you switched???
You have no idea how glad I am that I switched. I mean, my job now has it's misgivings too, but I would never go back! It's sad that "he" had to be the martyr for the group, but at least everyone now know where the priorities lie. I'm sure others will follow his lead... While the drama can be exciting, it's equally frustrating!
Dad used to talk about the politics in the “Great White Tower” in SLC. He thought that church employees should be above that and was disappointed several times with what happened. So, I guess what I am saying is, that there is (are?)politics everywhere and the best we can do is learn to deal with all that without being affected. You know, the old what would Jesus do? rule. Of course, for the last 27 years in newspapers and nearly 10 others at the city, politics is an everday thing!
Ahhh...working politics. Danny and I were just talking about it the other day! It doesn't matter what company you work for, or even how much you get paid, there's politics EVERYWHERE!