control freak
By poppoppop111
@poppoppop111 (5731)
Canada
January 16, 2013 11:59am CST
I have been at my new job for 8 months now. The museum was previously run by a volunteer who is having a hard time letting go of her control. They hired me because of my experience but she doesn't want to let me do my job. She is still on the board of directers which makes it really difficult to say things to her about letting me do the work but i'm starting to feel i am here for nothing if i am not permitted to actually work.
getting very impatient with her lately and not sure how to deal with it. we have had many talks about what my job is and what her job is. she is the one not understanding that a board member is not operational and is only governance so let me do the work. she is just so afraid to let go.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@jalucia (1431)
• United States
16 Jan 13
Oh, you work at a museum. Interesting career! I would be as non-confrontational as possible because you will have to continue to work with this woman. I understand your frustration, totally. But try really hard to babystep her out of your way. Such as, when she gives an opinion, acknowledge it but maybe say "That's a great idea, and I'll remember that. Right now, though, I think we better do it this way." And entertain no more conversation from her on the subject. I think the term for this is "nice-nasty."
2 people like this
@poppoppop111 (5731)
• Canada
16 Jan 13
thanks, i have been doing the baby step approach but getting impatient with it. it has been 8 months now i thought she would let go by now.
1 person likes this
@McCreeper (777)
• United States
16 Jan 13
Well, if I were in your shoes I'd probably just let her do the job. That is of course, if you're getting paid. If she wants to do your job she might as well have that job.. though knowing from prior similar experiences, it's only going to backfire.
But you know, she is a board member, so I guess anything goes considering she helps run the decisions going around the background of the museum.
2 people like this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
17 Jan 13
Is there someone above her you can talk to? Sounds like she wanted the job and is upset you got it. So she is giving you a hard time about it. That is a shame.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
16 Jan 13
sounds like she will be there for a long time and doesn't want to let go for whatever reason (she likes the importance of being the boss??) and because she is still on the board, you will probably have a hard time saying anything about her to the rest of the board. it might be best to cut your losses and hunt for a new job.
1 person likes this
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
17 Jan 13
She's a worry wart, too. She must be thinking that nobody else can do a better job than she can.
1 person likes this
@Otanetix (508)
• United States
17 Jan 13
Yes, I have known those type of people. It's very difficult to work with them because they are not very flexible about other people's opinions. However, I would try to talk to another board member about this issue because you should not be denied being able to do your duties for your job if you are already qualified.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
26 Jan 13
Just keep at it. Let her know that you are hired to do a job, and that you are going to do the job you were hired to do. Ask her what the point is if she is not going to let you do the job. If she tries to let you go, take it to Human Resources, and explain what's going on. I am sure she must also have a boss.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
16 Mar 13
the job which he is present in the museum is quite hard and i think it will work over a period of time with board members all the time,you need to get it approved from them
