ask the 2nd floor
03-16-2015, 12:47 PM
Q: We work for a sheriff who is two people -- one good, one bad. However, we don't know who he is from day to day. He says he wants our ideas to improve the system. When he's the good sheriff, he loves hearing our ideas, but when he's the evil sheriff, he shoots down anyone who says anything. And then when he likes an idea, he changes it to make it his own and to show he is smarter than us.
Don't misunderstand: We know he's the elected sheriff and is entitled to do things his way, but working with someone like him is weird. We just want to know how to sense his mood in advance.
A: Moody people can successfully be managed by learning not to exacerbate their mood swings. A person in an irritable or agitated state will take it out on whoever happens to be near him.
People who experience mood swings blame others for their own angry state of mind, but others are not the cause of their problems.
Here is some advice on how to successfully manage your sheriff.
Always let your sheriff speak first. Smile and nod when you greet him, just to see how he responds.
When he speaks, listen to his tone and not just the words that are coming out of his mouth. If he is feeling irritable, his mood will come through, even if his words are artificially polite (or artificially sarcastic). When you feel his negativity, keep your distance and respond minimally (if a response is required). Initiating conversation is a bad idea because it may be intrusive to his personality. If you must verbally deliver crucial information to him when he is cranky, then keep it brief. The sooner you get away from him, the better off you will be.
For career survival, adopt the attitude "it's his prerogative," regardless of your sheriff's mental health disposition.
Don't misunderstand: We know he's the elected sheriff and is entitled to do things his way, but working with someone like him is weird. We just want to know how to sense his mood in advance.
A: Moody people can successfully be managed by learning not to exacerbate their mood swings. A person in an irritable or agitated state will take it out on whoever happens to be near him.
People who experience mood swings blame others for their own angry state of mind, but others are not the cause of their problems.
Here is some advice on how to successfully manage your sheriff.
Always let your sheriff speak first. Smile and nod when you greet him, just to see how he responds.
When he speaks, listen to his tone and not just the words that are coming out of his mouth. If he is feeling irritable, his mood will come through, even if his words are artificially polite (or artificially sarcastic). When you feel his negativity, keep your distance and respond minimally (if a response is required). Initiating conversation is a bad idea because it may be intrusive to his personality. If you must verbally deliver crucial information to him when he is cranky, then keep it brief. The sooner you get away from him, the better off you will be.
For career survival, adopt the attitude "it's his prerogative," regardless of your sheriff's mental health disposition.