“Do You Need Some Help?” Is One Of The Kindest Things You Can Say

Each person’s drive to overwork is unique, and doing too much numbs every workaholic’s emotions differently. Sometimes overwork numbs depression, sometimes anger, sometimes envy, sometimes sexuality. Or the over worker runs herself ragged in a race for attention. Quote by Arlie Russell Hochschild

It was a simple enough request — “Can you take these files to the Audit Department on the second Floor.”

“Can do” I replied, echoing one of the Corporates’ values that had been drummed into us.

Everyone I spoke to in the Company complained about the miserable attitude of the Audit Manager.

Approaching him, I could see from his posture that he was feeling defeated. Looking at the pile of untidy files and papers on his desk, I handed the new files to him.

“Put them over there” he barked waving his hand to the edge of his desk.

“Nigel,” I said pausing a moment.

“What?”

“Are you very busy?”

I thought he was going to explode when he answered “Busy? Busy? Are you trying to be funny or what?”

“No” I replied, “it’s just that we haven’t got a lot of work in our Department and I wondered if I could help you.”

At that moment I didn’t know whether he was going to cry or kiss me “oh, Pam.” He absolutely melted, and in that moment I saw a very strong man admit for the first time that he was overwhelmed by the burden placed upon him.

A Middle Management position is a dreadful trap. Unrealistic targets by Top Management and Directors, and resentment from the staff below. A Middle Manager has the worst of both worlds.

Now, before you go away thinking that I’m naive, or soft in the head or something; it had long dawned on me that the Audit Department checks the Company’s processes from start to finish. Whilst the individual departments can explain their role in the process, unless one is prepared to experience it first hand, it can remain a mystery in certain areas.

I wanted to find out how the company works, I wanted to look at all the processes, I could then look for weaknesses in the structure, come up with solutions and earn a promotion. Perhaps even, get a Management Role myself.

People think that Pussy Cats are soft and cute - but watch their strategy.

Cats watch silently, then take over step by step. They are masters of guile, all the while purring and slowly disarming you.

So, I started working with Nigel, initially it was two afternoons a week.

What did I discover?

The main problem, and the reason why complaints were rising, was due to the inexperience of the workforce. There was little guidance and support for the staff who dealt with customers. This lack of awareness caused problems throughout the organisation.

At the next department meeting, at the risk of making myself very unpopular, when the meeting was wrapping up and the speaker asked: “Has anyone got any questions?”

“Yes” I said in my most confident voice. “Is there any possibility of having a team of mentors, to help new recruits learn the ropes?” The room went silent. “It just seems to me that the experienced staff could probably do the job with their eyes closed, but other staff seem to have gaps in their understanding. This is no fault of theirs, it’s just such a complicated subject they’re working on, that I believe they need some support.”

I was very careful not to apportion blame to anyone. The speaker looked stunned, he was supposed to trot out a well rehearsed script, not think on his feet. So he turned the question back, “why don’t you come up with a strategy?”

‘Perfect’ I thought to myself. I accepted the gauntlet and when we returned to our desks, started working on this immediately. The first thing I did was to create a ‘flow chart’ showing how the various functions of the business worked together.

Then I provided an explanation for each department in layman’s language. Before rolling out my new strategy I spoke to the technical guru in each of the departments, got them to agree the wording, and then provided the findings to Senior Management.

… And guess what? Yes, you got it — I was promoted to a Management position.

The moral of this story is … be careful who you let assist you they may be after your job for a lower salary.