Tasked with... Teaching? 3:27pm
The coworker who I famously don't get along with, but is still my peer in every professional sense, wanted to both ask me something, and then task me something.
He first asked who I'd personally want promoted to our position. I took plenty of time considering, even though I only have one immediate and clear pick. The issue? This coworker isn't interested in the position.
Amazing personality, great knowledge about our workplace and all the artworks, knows our rules and enforces them well! Just... Doesn't want the added responsibility, which I understand fully.
Me and the coworker I dislike get into an elevator as I'm on my way to cover someone's break. He tells me he thinks (Fake name incoming) Alice is a great pick...
Alice, who is incredibly indecisive. Alice, who months (a year?) prior, I had to brush up with her on basic policy. I was brand-spanking-new and she had been around for at least a year. (I saw her photo in an old christmas party card!!) She also tried to argue that her inaction was "Just how I do things...!" ... Not enforcing our rules isn't called a difference of opinion, that's just called not doing your job... Alice, who I've seen fall asleep while standing up on the job.
Multiple times...
To say I have a lack of confidence in her character would be an understatement. I expressed as much, and was met with-
"Oh, well, she hasn't done that for months now! She used to, but she's worked on it!"
I obviously can't confirm nor deny this because I chose to avoid her after the number of emails I had to write up about her conduct. That just creates more work for myself, you see?
There's no pleasure or warm fuzzy feelings for me when I end up "tattling" on a coworker. I don't think anyone likes having to do that...
(Another fake name incoming) So after giving his opinion, Joseph then asked a favor of me. I suppose he figures because I helped him do some busy errand running today that he felt this was fine of him to do.
He asks me if I can help... Essentially teach Alice to brush up on her personality. I'm going to be mean when I say this... But Alice has the personality of a grey rock. I know this. Joseph knows this. I fear our whole workplace knows this.
"You know, because you're so... personable! People like you!"
"Ooh, uuhhh... I don't think that will be.... I don't think that's going to be easy? I can't exactly like... Tell someone to be completely different, and that'll just... Happen? I don't even know if she'd listen to me, she hasn't really had the best track record of that."
"Oh, really, you think so? See, this is why I wanted to ask other people's opinions, some of us have, uh. Different experiences."
Sure Joseph, sure.
That's why you want me to try sculpting your preferred coworker into being a lead...
Against my better judgement, I did speak with Alice, tried gauging her own thoughts and feelings about it. Asked "So... What do you think of the lead position thing...? Is that something you'd like to do?"
"Oh, yeah, I think so! I mean, I'm pretty good at my job right now. I spoke to our supervisor about it, he just said I needed to work on being uhm. Assertive!"
Ah. Assertive.
I guessed that was one small thing I could give extremely basic pointers on.
"Well... It helps to have a clear voice. Have you ever been in a play or in theater...?"
Insert a pause as I look expectantly back at Alice as we're walking and talking. I'm a few paces ahead, though I'm not sure if this is due to my having a longer stride, or because I've suddenly being placed into this mentor-like role. I'm not sure it's something I really like, considering I'm mentoring someone I don't have a very great opinion of... Sorry Alice.
Alice just quietly looks back at me. I can't really tell what she's thinking - if anything.
"... Or maybe just been apart of a play or theater group...?"
Suddenly recognition sparks in her face. Her eyebrows raise and she smiles. So she does have an answer for this one!
"Oh, yeah, I've been in a highschool theater club!"
Okay, it's a start.
"Well, sometimes I like to think of being a lead kinda like being a character in a play, you know? We're authoritative, our voice is easy to hear - we almost throw it - like on stage, right? You want to be someone that people want to listen to!"
I try to slow my walk, but Alice is still a few steps behind, as I turn more fully around to see her expression. She's at least nodding along, which is... Good, I suppose?
"Of course, that's just how I go about making it easier for myself-" I turn away from her again, continuing to lead us through the gallery we're both covering. "I'm sure other people do different things. See what works for you."
We continue our patrol, silently for the rest of that short half-hour.
Part of me doesn't want her to listen to me at all. Part of me hopes she has worked on the bad habits I've seen first-hand, and that this is another thing she's willing to adjust. As of this moment, she still appears to speak slowly and with great uncertainty.
I only just learned today that's she's a couple years younger than I am. For some reason that shocks me. Yet it also makes complete sense too.