by El Zorro Viejo (aka; Jim)

Sometimes I notice things that probably aren't really what I think they are. For example, a couple of days ago I was talking to one of the booksellers and our store manager joined the conversation. I was making a point to the bookseller that she needed to take "ownership" of the store. Then I remarked to our store manager that it is important that all the employees taken ownership of the store and, thereby, have pride in what they are doing. He agreed and then he and I expanded upon that theme for a couple of minutes...until the other bookseller's eyes began to glaze over. At that point, the conversation broke up and we all went off on our separate ways. I thought that I had made a couple good points and, possibly, made a little progress with this manager.

And then, tonight, we had the big all store pre-holiday meeting after the store closed. Our store manager got up and one of the first things out of his mouth was how we needed to take ownership of this store. And yada, yada, yada...This is OK except he never once looked at me (and I was sitting near the front) while he was, basically, repeating what I had said the other day. I don't mind him cribbing my ideas...I just would like to be acknowledged. All he had to say was something like "Jim and I were talking the other day about..." and then go off and run with it. It's a good idea and I think it went over fairly well with the employees--I would just like to be give a little credit for contributing to his presentation.

Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I think that I had best find a new venue for my talents. If it is another store for this company, fine. I like (for the most part) the corporate mission statement as formally stated, but I have problems with the way this lofty purpose gets subverted daily by the MBAs who are actually running the company. I know that I'll give it until the end of the year before I really start beating the bushes for something better. If I think that I have a future with this company, I will most likely stay as I figure most other companies in this country have pretty much the same mindset. However, if I become convinced that I will not "get ahead" here (and I'm going to start pushing both my store manager and my District Manager in this regard), I'll get very serious about jumping ship.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. ©El Zorro Viejo 2002-2005