Bossie is leaving

[raindance]

I'm officially in mourning at the moment.  My beloved Bossie, with whom I have worked very happily for nearly four years, announced today that she is leaving in three months' time.  I'm really pleased for her as she is going to a bigger and better job, but I shall miss her.  She gave me a lot of professional freedom and treated me really nicely - took me to lunch, made me cups of tea, was really understanding when I had some health problems, and really helped me develop professionally.

I'm rather apprehensive about who will replace her.  As Bossie is Chief Executive, my relationship with that postholder is very much one-on-one.  I guess it will be like having a completely new job.  

Raindance

[bethalize]

Quick! Take her out to lunch and ask if she can take you with her - she probably can't ask you until you ask her.

Rotten luck to lose a good one.

Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[charity]

Oh my heart goes out to you.  I know exactly what you are going through - because I went through a similar experience 19 months ago.  

The trick though is to start afresh – with a clean, clear page.  Never compare, think or say "but we used to".

I had two disadvantages in that my boss is still based in another town and office (she comes to our office and I go to hers twice a week and when that is not possible we video conference quite a lot and it works very well) and the second disadvantage was that she did not have the experience and discipline of having had a PA in the past.  It was quite a challenge.  

I decided to take control of the ‘situation’ and used my initiative to call 1:1 informal half hour meetings once a week in the beginning, just to pick up on what was happening, discuss what's what etc.  After 6 months of working together I called our first look back meeting discussing what was/not working, what I expected of her, what she expected of me etc how we can run the two offices better and efficiently.  The frequency of our 1:1’s has dropped.  I am now very comfortable working with her and although different to my last boss, I could not swap her for anything.

So basically what I am saying is hang in there – it might not be that bad at all - in fact quite the opposite (bringing out the creative and challenging side in you)

Edited by charity on 06/08/02 10:21 AM.

[chevygirl55]

Boy, I know how that goes.  I have had some good people to work for but there is one that will always stick with me for all the assistance he provided me in developing my career, the way he treated me (as a valued assistant, not a lowly employee.  You know, I could do things besides sort the mail and get the coffee).  Always challenging me with tasks that just stretched my abilities just a little bit.  Paying me what I was worth, not what I asked for. (Wouldn't pay me the amount I asked for in the interview.  Told me I would have to start where all his employees started.  Then revealed that starting pay was 20% higher than I requested).  I would do anything for that boss and if the opportunity arose, there would be no hesitation to teaming with him again.  It is never easy to train a new boss!

chevygirl55

[twhfan]

I can completely relate.  I got a new boss 3 months ago.  I was very sad about my boss leaving and VERY apprehensive about her replacement.  I really worked myself into a state, feeling that there was no way I would be able to work well with the replacement.

I'm happy to say that I was wrong - I get along very well with the new boss and she's even a bit easier to work with than the boss I liked so well.  Sometimes when we fear the worst, we are pleasantly surprised.  I hope that will be true for you.  Stay positive!

And as suggested previously, if you don't want to stay where you are, maybe you could ask her to take you along.

[donnap99]

Like twhfan, I just got a new boss as well.  My old boss, with whom I had worked for 6 years, and got very well, left in October.  My new boss started in January.  I've never seen her shouting mad or anything, but she's tough and sets deadlines.  Not quite micromanaging, but making sure things are getting done.  I have less and less time to take a breath.  However, personally she's just fine.  I see her as having walked into a bit of a mess, and by accepting the position has accepted taking on some challenging situatons.  She has a lot to accomplish!

Don't get yourself in a tizzy like I did, that's about the best advice I can give.  Of course, it's a smart move for all of us to keep our resume current, which you may want to brush off and check on.  Mine was quite out of date -- untouched in those previous 6 years.  

Good luck!

DonnaP99

[andream]

And Raindance, do your fellow office professionals a favour.  TELL bossie how she impacted you.  Don't talk about tea talk about the feelings of worth she gave you, talk about the professional development.  Have a chat with her about what her excellent supervisory skills DID for you as a professional.  Don't let it lie under the banner of friendship, draw a clear business line between her management skills and the impact she's had on you and your career.

Finish the conversation by letting her know that you would be open to working for her whereever she goes (if that is truthful).

It's important to let her know that the way she managed you and supported you made a difference to your both professionally and personally.  You dont have to gush, you don't have to tear up or cry, but for the sake of those who will come behind you and support this woman, let her know that her efforts to be a mentor and help you advance your career were not lost on you.  

Then, when she's debating on whether to expend that kind of energy again, (and don't kid yourself it takes a GREAT deal more energy to support someone than to ignore their contributions) she'll do it again and again and maybe people around her will see it happening and THEY'll do it.  And all because you took the time to validate her efforts on your behalf.

My tuppence for today and Tell Bossie from us, that we hear about so many BAD ones it's great to hear about a terrific boss! She gets the Deskdemon Official BEST BOSS OF THE MONTH AWARD! From us to her, via you!

Andrea

[raindance]

Thank you SO much everyone for your encouraging replies and advice.  I shall certainly take it on board.  Bossie and I are definitely going to have lunch together before she leaves, and I will most certainly pass on the Deskdemon Best Boss of the Month Award.  She knows about this website - but she also knows it's STRICTLY off limits to her! Well, she does have her own CEO website to play in , but very occasionally she gets to hear some of the jokes.