sometimes you got to do what you have to do to get the (real) job done. i'd rather do 4am work than fake an act with someone i despise. not to say this is the best way, i've seen so many people do better at their carrier by faking the act, so who knows
That shows hard work, and you seem like a really hard worker. What is meant here is the ability to lead others - command and get people to follow you. In other words, you have to take some accountability for this guy not doing the work you wanted him to. That's what leaders do, take accountability. You never confronted the guy about what he was doing, you waited until the end of the day to find out he wasn't doing what he was supposed to do. That's kinda passive. You say your boss should have checked in on the consultant, but it wasn't your boss's job to do that, it was yours.
Sadly, your boss is right. I would have told the consultant instead that he would have to work all weekend until it was done. I would then tell him I would be there too to make sure he does it.
Hey Nong, show some alpha and write a report to your director or whoever is his boss and detail everything you did in this post -- you can't let people like that cross the line with consequences.
Personally, I would be very wary of working for a company that small, especially one with the amount of workload that you describe. But that's just me. The worst thing you can do is make this personal. Whatever you do next, don't do that. Always stay professional. No exceptions. Mixing emotions with work can result in a dangerous concoction. Keep them under control. That said, I think your days are numbered there. No matter what you do, the damage may already been done, especially if your boss is the type that doesn't let things roll off his back. The fact that the managing director suddenly blew up at you in the first place out-of-the-blue suggests that he is wound-up and likely already had some earlier ill will towards you. Furthermore, stress does lower team morale. I too would be unhappy with the stressed-out person and would try to come up with feasible solutions and suggestions to help mitigate that. Taking responsibility and accountability is important. Even though you're not a boss, your superior still expects you to show some leadership qualities. I think that was your boss's overall point. Sweet Lou is right; you should have been much more proactive with that consultant (while still being professional, of course). Sitting back and being in a "welp, it's not MY job blah blah" mode is not good...I think most bosses in any company would have issues with that kind of attitude. The important thing is that the job needs to get done, and a true leader will do whatever is needed to ensure that happens. I'm with those that suggested to freshen up your resume and get it out there. Also secure a nice reference from your office manager if you can.
Good employees do lots of work and get stuff done. Great employees do lots of work and make sure everybody else gets stuff done. I can tell you work in a small company by your description of how you work. Your boss (probably not the most tactfully) was trying to let you know that a highly regarded skill is to make sure other people are prioritizing the stuff needed to get the work done. He was trying to let you know that you should have either met with and discussed having the other guy get the stuff you needed completed so you could do your job more efficiently or raised the issue up so it gets handled. You were not proactive with your coworker and that is what he was trying to say. The number one and hardest skill, especially in larger and more complex organizations, is the ability to be proactive with your peers to to make sure they do the stuff needed so you can do your stuff, even if it means ruffling some feathers. The execs I work for would chew me out if the excuse I gave for working inefficiently was that someone else wasn't doing what I needed. They would say either handle it or escalate it.
Yeah, Supermac34 nailed it. OP seems like a worker bee, not like a chief. A very dedicated worker bee (getting up to be in the office at 4 a.m. sounds crazy) who then expects to be lauded for being a good worker bee...but that's not really how it works. OP - are you Asian?
What you're ultimately going to discover is that your boss is insecure about his position in the company and hence needs to bring everyone down out of fear for one of you taking his job. Your display of hard work should be a positive, but he sees it as a threat. Are you qualified to take his job? Apply for it. If his reputation is poor and he is mistreating employees, should be easy.
Dunno what your title is (booking coordinator? what's that? Payroll specialist, maybe?), but it seems to be one where it's specially made for you and ambiguously hard to define. As a worker bee, you've probably been suckered for something more for promise of your work, but with the MD there, do you want to work with that gasbag and be all smiles during your golfing sessions? In other words, when you look for a different job, which you should do now, don't look for the same position. And if you're not a manager, tell the dimwit to do something three times, then escalate to someone who can hire and fire. You've probably figured out that without authority you can't tell other people to do ****, well then get the MD to do it but at least detail the steps towards it.
So this consultant was there just helping out because he broke his foot? These invoices aren't his real job? You can't really depend on him to help you because there is nothing at stake for him. I would have asked him to help but definitely not depended on him to do as much work as you. It's not his job. Your boss sounds like a jackass. I can't imagine why you like this job. Busting your ass to make sure other people (who apparently don't appreciate you) get paid. That's fine if it's a large company. But working for such a small company, I'd expect a better more personal and stress-free working environment. Don't work for a jackass. Life is too short to work for a jackass.
Maybe it's just me, but if my boss told me that, without giving me absolute and explicit authority over the person affecting my work, I'd start looking for a new job. Nothing is more frustrating or demoralizing than being at the mercy of others with no recourse to affect change. The only way it becomes worse is if your superiors refuse to use their power over that other person to help you. It's a no-win situation for you. It's like being in an assembly line where the person at the front has no idea what they're doing, thus delaying everything, and everyone at the end of the assembly line catches the blame for the delay. OP's boss sounds like a wanker.
If you feel like having the conversation with bossman, go in with a list of what you could have or should have done differently (call out the consultant), and also come in with the facts of why you are an asset and why his comments are unfounded (you are the one bustin' your ass). Ultimately, stand up for yourself, but don't shoot yourself in the foot. If the outcome of the conversation is crap, start looking. If this guy is responsible for your careers success or failure, I'd get out.
A few years ago I lost it. Dropped dozens of f-bombs on the VP of Marketing over the phone. Walked back in and said we've done a lot of great work together, I apologize for the language, etc.... but I stuck to my guns and let him know exactly why I lost it. The interaction didn't matter ultimately. Office gossip spread quick and the COO/CEO just laughed about it and kind of gave me the "good for you" (I'm usually 110% professional and calm). But I think honesty is important. If I was in your position I would explain why you took the position you did. Why you were stressed (just like you explained it to us). I'd do it over an email and take a relaxed tone, not an aggressive one. I'd also say I appreciated that advice about leadership, and will take it to heart (regardless of how you feel about it). But reiterate how you feel, what lead up to it all - you've got to be heard too.
it's short for ning-nong which is a brit/aussie/kiwi equiv. of goof but also stereotypically blue collar.
