Re: Control Issues
So, how do you deal with the control issues that come up where you work?
How do you determine which issues to fight for and which to step away from.
When I've worked full-time, I decide on the basis of two questions:
- Is this issue simply about my ego, or is resolving it necessary for me to do my job now and in the future?
- Would ignoring the problem make me less content with the position?
If the issue is simply that I'm peeved at some minor change someone has asked for or something like that, then it's about my ego and I don't do anything about it. If the issue interfers with my ability to deliver what's needed on time, then it's worth bringing up.
Sometimes, an issue that comes down to ego may still be worth bringing up. For example, if I'm suddenly asked to report to someone I don't respect, I may still raise the issue because dealing with the person is going to make me unhappy in the long run.
Needless to say, I don't raise the issues in these terms; this is just how I evaluate them. If I'm being honest with myself, it's surprising how often a control issue that peeves me is just an ego thing and not worth bringing up. I suspect that, for most people, it's the same. One of the basic axioms of psychology is that disagreements are more often about relationships than about the alleged issue.
I suppose that having been a contractor is both a help and a hindrance when control issues are raises. The background helps because I know that no one job is very important, and if I really become unhappy I can move on - perceptions that full-time people often don't have. The background hinders because, as a contractor, I'm used to more respect than some full-time employees get.
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Bruce Byfield 604-421-7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield
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References:
Control Issues: From: Wanda Phillips
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