Any Suggestions about Workplace Drama?

Question

The team that I am on consists of 7 females. One has been with the company for eight years, one for four, one almost three, myself 6 months, one for a month one for 3 weeks and our supervisor for 6 months. There are issues amongst the group that consist of proper communication. The girls that been here the longest never really had a supervisor who cares, they didn't know their rights, and they were afraid to speak up. I join the team fresh from college, bright ideas, and want to assist my supervisor on getting things done! I am eager and willing to help my teammates. And like to solve issues so they don't have to go to management. They don't like my gunho attitude!! They consider me bossy, and they think that I am to good for my own self. I didn't want to come across like that...I just wanted to help...So now I am at a stand still. My supervisor wants me to chill and pretty much through all my extensive training out the door...Anyone have any suggestions on getting things organized and getting the culture in a harmonious tune? Because right now I feel like I want to leave...But I do understand my problems will follow...So I really do Hope I can solve this issue as a group! I really don't like to bicker and be a taddle tell. But talking behind someones back negatively instead of facing the issue never gets anything solved.

Note: I've recently suggested team building...

Answer 1

You have gotten their backs up because you are relatively new and they perceive you as trying to change everything even though it has been done that way for years.  I agree things do need to change however slowly suggest ideas and never say how things were done all wrong in the past and say your way is better.  Just be diplomatic and slowly try and suggest improvements.  You are not there to solve issues and they are thinking you are trying to act like their boss even if that isn't the case.  Right now like you said, you are gung ho, and most of them have been there for a long time so are getting defensive with this new person coming in and full of ideas.  Just relax, keep quiet and get to know people first before coming on so strong.

Answer 2

I can so relate to you, especially since I just finished my MBA. Neither of my managers have a business background and in fact, one didn't make it to college. I work in a very dysfunctional environment with low morale and a low teamwork environment. I have many ideas and try to offer the ones that I think are good. Some are used and some aren't. Some that they say they like go nowhere. I understand to some degree. I've been here almost 2 years now. I'm in touch with the person that used to do this job. This is so hard. In another position I held where I was elected team captain, I believed in dealing with a problem head on and solved a problem between 2 coworkers that had communication (lack of it) at the heart of it. When they talked to each other, the problems they had subsided. I was a little wary about doing what I did but sometimes you need to take a risk. It worked. Both people involved were rational and reasonable. They were good people. I can tell you that I would be reluctant to try that here because this environment is not condusive to that.

I think you will have to adapt (as I am trying to do) or find another job where it's a better fit. I just left one. I got married and moved so it didn't make sense to keep the job even though I liked it so much.

Answer 3

We all know the people who have been in their jobs forever, and feel as though they run the show regardless of being in a leadership position or not. The most important thing is to have everyone working together -happily- which will be the most productive for your company.

I obviously don't know the situation well, but from what you've written it seems like your supervisor feels as though you're overstepping your boundary. And if your supervisor thinks that, I'm sure everyone else on the team does too. Speak to your supervisor and ask if you can head a project (just one for now), and you'll then be able to make the decisions yourself. Once it is shown that your decisions benefit the company, your supervisor AND her boss will see that you mean business, you'll probably be asked to head other projects as well.  

Answer 4

Let's see, do you have one of the older women who is acting as a mentor? Could you find someone who is in a different department to mentor you? Different companies have different corporate cultures and it takes awhile to learn the ropes. It sounds like you are seeing all the things that are broken and can be fixed, instead of focusing on the positives that have worked for the company for many years. - This glass half-empty approach is not working, and the recommendation you suggested might cost money for which there is no budget. Ask your boss what is her top priority and focus on improvement in that one key area for the next 6-9 months. At 6 months, you and your supervisor are relatively new yourselves and are probably still learning the job and the ropes. Sorry to be blunt, but it seems that you are contributing to the workplace drama, especially since your supervisor asked you to back off. Keep in mind that the most important area in the work-place is the ability to get along with others, because otherwise you disrupt your work and theirs to focus on 'non-work' drama issues

Answer 5

Well, If you want to keep this job then you must do as your boss asks and chill a bit.

Don't solve "problems" that aren't yours to solve.

Don't give suggestions when no one has asked for your input.

Don't tell someone else how they could do their job better.

Don't quit this job until you have another. (bad for resume and hard to explain to new employer)

Don't get caught in the drama.

Do get the experience you need on your resume or the additional education to become the BOSS.

Do look for other opportunities in your field.

Do worry about your job and your job only and do it to the very best of your ability. (That is what they want right?)

You'll be just fine. You will find an employer that will be a perfect fit for your personality and work style. Just keep looking. You will be appreciated by someone , someday, somehow.