I’m in a meeting, sitting around an oval table with eight blue suits, jackets cast aside. The room is hot and cloying, but not as cloying as the conversation. Words like swords hurtling from mouth to mouth to mouth. Jargon sharpens the blade.
Heads cast downwards, contemplating fates.
“Managing up” is the word of the day. If I hear one more person say it I’m going to manage something right up their bottom. When did this strange expression become the most important part of our job? The thing we discuss the most.
A blue suit has been talking for what seems like a year on the riveting subject of KPIs. A sigh goes around the table like a Mexican wave. I’m not the only one left wondering in here, but I’m the only one who can’t seem to look anyone else in the eye.
“I’ll manage that up the food chain to keep everyone in the loop and maintain synergy,” says the blue suit.
My chair clatters awkwardly to the floor as I suddenly stand up. All eyes shift my way like missiles trained on a target.
“I don’t want to be in this meeting,” I announce.
I pick up the chair, place it neatly back under the desk and walk out the door, contemplating fates.
[Image found on Mocha Cafe]
Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' says
Was that the moment?
That would have taken courage!
Well DONE x
Toni says
I wanted to applaud. That was awesome.
Diminishing Lucy says
Oh, how jealous Andrew is! He just read this over my shoulder and said “Fuck, lucky Maxabella. I so need to have the balls to do that…..”
Xx
Jane says
Oh Bron. No wonder you’re out of there! What price freedom? J x
Lisa H says
Go you! I bet you are counting the days. What the hell does ‘Managing up’ mean anyway?
On another note, I wish my legs looked like that.
Miss Pink says
Whoo! Go you for saying that! I would have been thinking it too. How boring to listen to people talk about how great they are and what we should be doing, like they actually do it “rolls eyes”
Maryandlil says
good for you!!! That took courage 🙂
cathy@home says
I think bravery is not just for soldiers.
Mama of 2 boys says
That is really cool. There was a time, about 5 years back, where I was in a role that made me feel like that. Each and every day. It was torture. My departure from it was nowhere near as calm and collected as your experience. But I imagine the aftermath felt similar. Complete. freedom. And breeeeathe.
Caroline Rose says
wowzers! That is impressive!! Good on you 🙂
Vanessa says
Yay for you!
Mum on the Run says
Bravo, woman. Bravo!
🙂 x
joeh says
From my perspective that was not a cost effective decision. I hope it does not too negativly affect your bottom line. Looking forward yoou need to weigh your choices in a careful manner so as to not make judgmental errors. That being said…..freaking nice going!!!
Cranky Old Man
Cindi says
You rock it! They’ll be talking about your balls for years to come in that office. You should pass out some when you leave… I’m going to when I leave here on 4 May.
Cazzamatazz says
Well done! Jeepers, I’m in awe of the balls you have!
Felicity says
Seriously, you did that?
Brilliant!
Leanne says
LOL. You should write for “the office”…
trudi@maudeandme says
Good stuff!
Kat @ I Saw You Dancing says
Good for you, gorgeous gal! Situations like that need real people with real lives and real perspectives to shock everyone back into life.
I once had a senior colleague who was asked to review a Position Description. When asked by his big kohuna why he objected to the requirement to “operationalise the strategy framework” he responded, “Because only a total w@#$er would apply!”.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he told me this, as I actually knew what “operationalise the strategy framework meant”!
Sigh.
Kat @ I Saw You Dancing says
Good for you, gorgeous gal! Situations like that need real people with real lives and real perspectives to shock everyone back into life.
I once had a senior colleague who was asked to review a Position Description. When asked by his big kohuna why he objected to the requirement to “operationalise the strategy framework” he responded, “Because only a total w@#$er would apply!”.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he told me this, as I actually knew what “operationalise the strategy framework meant”!
Sigh.
Deb @ home life simplified says
Way to be authentically you! Awesome stuff Bron!
Julie says
I always hated meetings like that…you are so brave to just walk out! Good on you 🙂
Heather says
Good on you! I am in meetings like that all.the.time and I find it time consuming, tedious and annoying. As I work from home i am on the other end of the phone listening to them throwing words around like platforming, onboarding and so on. I just want to do some work and I don’t want to listen to everyone else trying to out do each other. It just bores me to tears. Maybe I need to hang that phone up one day, no-one would kmow anyway!xxx
Megan Blandford says
Escaping corporate hell = bliss. Love your bravery.
annie says
Did you really!!? How absolutely empowering! How did you manage to restrain yourself from throwing high chorus line kicks all the way down the hall to the lifts!?
Madam Bongani says
well done you…..lifes too short for sh*t 🙂
Tat @ Mum in search says
I’ve done that… I got myself a reputation of emotionally unstable and undeserving of promotion. I didn’t feel good about it at the time. It took me a while to realise that I only wanted the promotion because it was the ‘right next thing to do’, not that I really wanted the job that came with it.
I hope you are wiser than me and feel much better about it than I did.
Veggie Mama says
What in the shit is “managing up”? What a preposterous preposition position.
Emily says
You go girlfriend! (Finger click, finger click)
Kirsty@MyHomeTruths says
Is it wrong of me to wish that I had have been there to see the expressions on their faces?
Good on you for making the decision to get out of a place that was bringing you down. Good luck for your bright post-work life!
Kate Sins says
I think my crush on you just got bigger! You are the stuff legends are made of. So looking forward to hearing about your newly-opening doors. xx
Kymmie says
You’re brave.
And???? Then what happened?
DYING to know!
xx
edenland says
FISTPUMP!!!
Anna @ green tea n toast says
Brilliant! I reckon that’s the best way ever to go!
I’ve sat in strategy meetings before wondering what would happen if people actually started being honest rather than all nodding and agreeing along with each other. Would make for quite a good TV skit actually!
Go you – you’re awesome. x
Vanessa says
I’m trying to do more of this kind of thing all the time…
Donna says
*standing ovation* Knowing the energy of the office place in which you refer to oh so well, I am sure you have done the right thing. Onwards and upwards mighty Maxabella xx
Lib says
True courage my dear…take a bow 🙂
thesoundandthefury says
What the hell is a KPI???
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
Bron that is amazing!!! well done you – life is way to short to sit through all that crapity crap crap! All it takes is one, bron, one person to change something! xx
Tania says
Even though self employment/freelance work is One Big Rollercoaster, you have reminded me of its biggest perk.
(what the frick is a KPI?).
Tahnee says
you are awesome bron. that was like something out of an episode of boston legal. brilliant! x
Bridget {The Tai Tai} says
That’s what you call BALLS! Well done lady x
lipgloss mumma says
I AM WOMAN! (well you are!) Brava!
Jen R says
Nice work..bet ute guy would shit himself if he saw that lady!! The day I decided I had to resign I was sitting in a meeting with all the hospital heavy weight excutives hearing the same bullshit blah blah blah that I had heard for the last two years. I had to hold on to that table and clench my teeth to stop my self from yelling out “its all spin and bullshito” 2 days later I put in my resignationo….
Paula says
You just did it. Just like that. So many people wish they could. Love it. (Btw: Bron, do you think you still had some fire in the belly from the petrol station encounter?)
Andrea says
Wow….. Can’t wait to hear more … Although I am definitely someone who believes in managing up…. Sometimes it is the only way to get the bosses doing what I need them to do. Can’t say I have ever said it in a meeting though ( except to maybe moan after a meeting that we shouldn’t have to manage the bosses to get things done) . Either way – must have been a great feeling … Can’t wait to hear the what happens next.
Lizeylou says
You are seriously one cool chick!
Good on you.
Karen at MomAgain@40 says
Something I think we all want to do at some stage… 😀
That must have felt great!
one claire day says
Liberated much?
Amazing xx