Message #4169

[energizer]

My goodness, what a predicament!  I certainly don't envy you right now!



Have you tried humor (not with "them" -- they're hopeless! - but with yourself?).  Now, stick with me here for a minute.  It's a bit unconventional, I know, but I've used this myself several times and it usually works for me.



Decide in your mind which cartoon character represents each of your bosses (or those who THINK they're your boss!) For instance:

Bossie number one -- Popeye

Bossie number two -- Pigpen

Bossie number three -- Mighty Mouse

Bossie number four -- Batman

You, of course, are Pearl Pureheart.



Now, imagine that all four of them are vying for the attention of Ms. Pureheart.  Each one tries to outboss the other in any way possible, usually by inflating their own importance to you.  You, being incredibly wise and all-knowing, see through this ruse every time.  When one of them bugs you about a project, you smile sweetly, say "why OF COURSE I'm working on it" and then picture yourself hurling a cream pie right at his smug little face!" (I would suggest, however, that you keep a straight face until he turns away!!!).  When he's out of earshot, you can then laugh till you cry!!



Periodically, picture the four of them (in character, of course) slugging it out to prove who's in charge.  (All the while knowing that YOU are in charge!).  In the middle of their dogfight, you walk up, smile sweetly again, and tell them how glad you are that they're working things out among themselves in such a productive manner.  Then go back reality (out of earshot of course) laugh hysterically to release any built-up tension.



No, this won't change their attitudes.  Nothing you say or do will change them (you've already tried, and it didn't work, right??).  The only thing you CAN change about this situation is YOUR attitude and how you react to it.  None of them are going to stop trying to make you believe that they are the only one you have to answer to.  Each already believes in his heart that you are his "personal assistant" and you only work for the others because he allows it.  So you have to treat each of them as though there is only one of them, yes them to death, and then do the work in your own timeframe.  Perhaps work on each bossie's project for half an hour at a time.  That way, when they ask how it's coming, you can honestly say you're working on it and it should be completed "in a little while."  I know you'd rather work on one project until it's completed, but realistically that very seldom happens, even in a "healthy" office.



If all else fails, I have a cousin in New York who has "family" connections . . .