Yesterday (or today if you take into account the fact that I still haven't slept, and it's 2:04 am) was a particularly rough day at the job. The many conflicts I get into with different people on different levels within the corporate hierarchy is very tiring for my psyche and my body alike... And they always make me think...
I'm assigned as a chief graphics designer on one of the less important issues under our major magazine brand. However, I've never viewed this assignment as less important then rest of my 'more important' tasks, and have managed to turn that little magazine into a fantastic work of art (yes, I lack modesty, I admit it). However, as with anything I've done, people would always feel threatened by the defensive stance I assume when editors start meddling with it.
One think I cannot stand is when people who are obviously incompetent to do someone else's job, do it regardless. And that is usually the case when the editor in chief walks in. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying 'editor in chief' as in 'editors in chef in general'. Just this particular editor... Anyway, the person is utterly incompetent at graphics, which is absurd. But she loves to insult both my work and myself in front of others to maintain the illusion that she is the most competent (and probably the only competent) person in the company. Most people buy that talk because they are incompetent themselves or plain dumb.
As for me, I've always stood by everything I've done, and never allowed any changes to take place which were not (a) well argumented, or (b) to my liking. Call it pompous, call it whatever you want, but I do things the way I think they should be done, learn from mistakes, and I like to believe this is true.
So another sleepless night of obsession with what went down at the work place yesterday, and reading through the web, I've stumbled upon this little article from Mr. Stephen P. Anderson at poetpainter.com.
Mavericks don’t “go along to get along,” they don’t “dress for success” and, as the vice chairman of Medtronic puts it, they are a pain in the neck to manage. But they are absolutely necessary because they can make those “ah ha!” connections that lead to solutions.
Now, that is encouraging. At least I know now what I'm classified as. A 'maverick'. Yes, I am a pain in the neck to manage. Most managers I've worked it classify me as 'impossible'. I do solve problems. And my work is well regarded within the company... And, yes, I will go to another company if they keep on pressuring me into submission. :)
