Why Your Coworkers Might Not Be the Problem

Hi Suzanne,

I've just turned in my first paper. I can explain more if you like, but will note my question here: What's the best way to deal with someone (a boss) who is short tempered? I can't tell if he wants to micromanage my work, or if something else is bothering him.

I'm a writer, and the paper took two months to research and write. I had the benefit of being able to review some of the previous writer's research. She had been working on the paper for ten months. My boss told me he realized he'd made a mistake in hiring her after seeing her writing. I saw it, too, and agree that writing isn't her strong suit.

I asked him what he thought of my writing -- and he was quite complimentary. In the past, I haven't had the courage to ask, then, I would worry. So, this time, I thought I'd ask so that I could adjust early in the process. The writing style was similar to the 90+ paper I submitted during the interview process. (The topic was entirely different.) So, I'm not sure where his grumpiness came from (me, the paper, not enough sleep . . .). Writing style aside, to synthesize ten months of research and write a paper in two months time was quite an accomplishment -- so his grumpiness seemed out of order.

One other note -- he is a professor, and the paper will be used in a graduate level course. I'd heard that the academic world can be much different than the corporate one. He seemed very unprofessional.

I'd be happy to "look at me" -- if so, what should I look at? Or, was this just a case of an unprofessional boss?

Your thoughts?

paige of WI 12:34PM June 06, 2009