Is Someone on the Job Running Scared, Fearful You are Going to Take Their Job?

You might have been the one joking about one day taking over your manager's position.  He or she may have noticed lately that you are a threat.  Sometimes we underestimate those who appear like they are secure with their positions.  We assume that they trust us.  But once you verbalize your desire to have anything of those who lead over you, you become someone to watch out for.

I got the opportunity to observe a student elevate into a teacher role over a period of years.  When the student had finally reached his plateau, it was time to find a way for the teacher to push his student out the door.  Now on the surface, this was a good thing, that is if the student felt he or she was ready.  But there was some growing that still needed to be done and besides the student was looking for opportunities close by, not far away.  This one who had learned the ropes didn't want to believe that his beloved teacher was pushing him outdoors when those around him tried to warn him.  What the student forgot, was that the teacher remembered his cocky comments about one day being "the boss" and so when the time was right, he had to push his student away.  No one likes an arrogant student or one who acts like a know-it-all, these flaws in his character was quite evident to the teacher.  It would only be a matter of time that they might bump heads.  Now because the teacher didn't want to hurt the student by setting him up to fail, despite past offenses, fear, and the temptation to want to pay him back, he did what was best, he encouraged him to go elsewhere.  "Did you consider looking into my position with another establishment?" Of course, the opportunity would move the student and his family far away.  The threat would be gone permanently, so he had hoped.

I share this story because I think that some people tend to get too comfortable with their bosses.  They go out for drinks and meals and discuss personal business.  They invite their workers to their homes.  They offer to run errands and do favors.   For some individuals this sort of thing works, but for others not so much.  Where exactly is the line?  Who draws it?  And when do you not cross it?

You see those close knit relationships are nice as long as everyone knows their role and don't mix business with pleasure (such was the case between teacher and student until the student started acting arrogantly), but they are also detrimental to your future work relationship. Sooner or later one is going to say or do something that the other doesn't like, especially if it has something to do with his or her position in the company.  When this happens, just like the man who thought his boss "just loved him,"  a worker will soon hear about him or her "being a perfect fit elsewhere."

Just something to think about.

So what are some signs that show that a boss feels threatened by you?

1. He starts acting like every idea you have isn't right, wouldn't ever work, or could possibly cause more harm than good.
2. He acts visibly jealous when you talk about all of your accomplishments--even though he had a hand in them.
3. He looks for faults.  He finds issues with how you do things that he never had with you before.
4. He teases, name-calls, or does other things that make you question whether he is just joking or is serious.
5. You hear from others that your boss has said some things about you personally and/or professionally that appear like you don't know what you are doing or what you are talking about.
6. He takes your ideas and doesn't give you any credit.
7. He often encourages you to get a similar position elsewhere and may even go so far as to help make some things happen.

If you feel like your boss is threatened by you, find a way to talk about your concern, but whatever you do don't act like you are better, know more, or can handle every situation perfectly.  If you are a believer, pray for your boss or anyone who has been giving you trouble lately.

How to Disagree with Your Boss Without Getting Fired - Excelle

How to Disagree with Your Boss Without Getting Fired - Excelle

10 Ways a Boss Will Get an Employee to Quit a Job | Suite101

10 Ways a Boss Will Get an Employee to Quit a Job | Suite101

Work Place After Parties, Happy Hours

It can be difficult working in an atmosphere that doesn't really appreciate you much. So for some of you reading this, you might not spend too much time with boss or workers other than to complete a job and then off you go.  However, there are those of you who love your co-workers like they are your brothers and sisters (at least so it appears that way).  Could your emotions get you in trouble one day?  Throw alcohol, drugs, or something else into the mix and who knows what might happen to your work relationship.

Sometimes we forget that people on the job are workers.  Even a family member is not a family member when it comes to business.  One has to put aside his or her personal and outside interests and carry on with business.  But some people who don't have much of a social life outside of the workplace, sometimes look at workers as best friends, brothers, sisters, lovers, and more.  It doesn't matter how likable a person is, he or she is put in your presence to assist with tasks not hand-hold, pleasure, or be a personal counselor.  However, so many have turned their work relationships into something more and have brought their "I like her...I like him" stories home to a spouse or partner who is glaring back with eyes of distrust.

Some of you might have already slipped when it comes to these happy hour events.  You may have reasoned, "What my sweetie doesn't know won't hurt her/him."  But what some workers fail to understand is that a loved one most likely has a feeling that something went down back in 19... or 2000 whatever and might go down again after happy hour, during idle time at work, or this upcoming holiday party.

There is much anxiety and tension in the air for some couples during this season of holiday parties and it only gets worse as it gets closer and closer to certain days.  When you know you have been guilty of getting a little bit too carried away at these work celebrations, you might want to do the wisest thing, sit out for a bit.  Now for some readers, they probably weren't expecting a blog entry post to advise such things.  "Sit out!  I wish I could, but my company..."  Just hold off on the reasons why the company party (or dare I say it that cute guy or gal in the office) is more important than your family.  For some readers, your company could do without a few of you showing up especially if you like to drink.

Some bosses are hoping and praying that some of you heavy drinkers don't show up.  Wives and husbands that have been cheated on are also hoping that a cheating mate will sit this one out this year.  You can make your new year a happy one and lessen some of your burdens by making other arrangements even if you suspect you might be tempted to act out of character.  Whatever your other arrangements are, they just might save your job.

I have personally observed much activity at company parties ie.) drunk women dressed slutty and dancing seductively, men misbehaving, and the boss and his assistant being a little too chummy while his wife just stares at the two of them. The next day the office reeked of last night's alcohol and cigar smells, arguments with a jealous spouse takes up most of the day, and reprimands are sent out to trouble-making workers inciting conflict over "he say, she say" statements.  Hung over and red face, a former boss and supervisor either looked a little too happy to see me or scary looking as if the two were possessed. Those spirits really did do a number on them and of course they left early and left the rest of us holding the bag.

Now for those who can handle their alcohol or shall I say partying, I have nothing to say to you.  Eat, drink and be merry if that's what you most desire to do.  But for those who know better, you best look at your situation with wise eyes and do what's right for you, your career, and your family.  Observers don't forget what you say or do at happy hour or any other social engagement.  Who knows what the new year holds for you?

Nicholl McGuire is the creator of the Job Journal.  A simple book to help you keep track of your thoughts while on the job.

Plan on Shopping Online During Cyber Monday?

You will probably want to take some time to do online shopping from work.  Don't forget to do the following:

One.  Ask permission if you aren't sure you are permitted to use the company computer to shop.

Two.  Don't save personal data on a public computer.

Three.  Pay attention to the time when you started researching.  You don't want time to get away from you shopping rather than working.

Four.  Never assume others around you aren't looking over your shoulder.

Five.  When you shop, don't forget to get cash back for your purchases.  Also, check for coupon/promo codes too.

Six.  Use a credit card over a debit card.  Most often it is easier to dispute a charge with your credit card company.  You also don't have the worry of some unsuspecting charges draining you of money in the bank for bill payments.

Happy shopping!

Nicholl McGuire, published poet, author, blogger.  Check out: Things to Do When Bored 

Looking for Cyber Monday resources?  See here.

Gift-giving at the Workplace

So the grab bags, the birthdays, and the holiday season is coming around.  Buy some cool things for your favorite co-workers.  I specially picked out some good gifts in electronics under $100.  I have a history of buying some great gifts for boss, supervisor, family and friends and I can tell you a good gift goes a long way in the future!  Enjoy shopping!

The Great Gift World - Electronics

Blood Sacrifice for a Better Life

Many have made sacrifices in their lives to get ahead at the workplace.  Blood, sweat and tears so you have heard went into education, jobs, relocation, and more.  But some of the most successful people in this world don't tell you what they did behind the scenes other than go to school and do the typical things to get ahead.

There is a dark side to managing, owning, building,rebuilding and more when it comes to a man or woman's career or business and not all are playing fairly or wisely.

If you are of the right pedigree, have the "right" connections, and know a thing or two about the supernatural, you will be surprised at what is offered to you.

There are those at your workplace that no matter what you do or say they fight you.  You want to do things ethically, but they don't.  You value your family, they don't.  You know how to balance work and play, they don't.  So much opposition some of my readers have to fight up against just for a paycheck.

But I will tell you, that those who have sacrificed babies, without remorse, to maintain a certain career path and those who refuse wise instruction and even those leaders and workers who emotionally/physically cheat on partners and ignore children, reap what they sow!  Hopefully, you are one of them who have made your past wrongs right, but if not, take heed to this blog entry.

The path of the rich only leads to emotional and/or physical misery.  People who you think are your friends, end up not being nothing more than users.  When the money, fame, power, etc. is gone, they are gone too.  Then there is another path, the path of the wise man and when he walks on his path, he makes long-lasting connections and the things that he sacrifices are not made up of blood. 

Consider this the next time you desire more money, fame and power, what are you willing to give up to get ahead and is it really worth it?  Appreciate where you are right now until you can make sense of your situation, consult wise counselors, and be put on that path that leads to somewhere rather than nowhere.

Blood sacrifices of old are still very much ongoing.  The misdeeds of men and women are not outdated.  Scenes and customs may have changed over centuries, but people are still making decisions that cost people their mental and physical well-being.  Although you are not considered a slave at the workplace working for a king, the reality is you are very much still that and unless you desire more for your life, you will remain that.  Look beyond the material wealth and check your spiritual health!





Nicholl McGuire manages numerous blogs and writes books.  Feel free to receive practical, spiritual wisdom for your personal and professional endeavors here.

You Waste A Lot Of Time At Work

Does your workplace have far too many places to get messages from bosses, supervisors, and employees?  Is there any way to streamline everything in one place; rather than checking here there and everywhere? Yes.  Learn more here:

You Waste A Lot Of Time At Work

Yammer : The Enterprise Social Network for Businesses

Yammer : The Enterprise Social Network