Day One: Picking up the Pieces
So, the assistant manager shows up for work today and is, predictably, nonplussed by statements from the project manager that I am sharing his duties. S. did not see fit to do anything more than mention my collaboration in passing at the end of an email that H. had yet to check this morning. I did my best to spin it in a positive light: I am helping out in the sprints, attending meetings, an extra set of eyes and ears and so forth.
I thought I had done a decent job until moments ago when the director of our entire department showed up at my cube.
"Hey, I heard you were taking over while [S.] is out..."
I shot a worried glance to my left; H. sits two cubes down and could hear this whole conversation if he weren't engrossed in a cell phone conversation with his wife.
"Well, [H.] is still in assistant manager. I am just here to help out."
"Right. I don't know how you two split up the work, but [S.] told me you were 'The Man' while he was gone."
I inwardly groaned and wondered how much, if any, of this conversation was audible to everyone within earshot. The damage wreaked by S.'s refusal to officially pass-the-baton would be catastrophic.
So, I ended the conversation as quickly and awkwardly as possible, which probably bodes ill for my own career. Even so, I was immensely grateful when the director left, and even more so that H. still appeared to be on his cell.
The fact that H. stood up and walked away, while still on the phone, as soon as the director departed though filled me with some unease.
As has his disappearance since then.
I thought I had done a decent job until moments ago when the director of our entire department showed up at my cube.
"Hey, I heard you were taking over while [S.] is out..."
I shot a worried glance to my left; H. sits two cubes down and could hear this whole conversation if he weren't engrossed in a cell phone conversation with his wife.
"Well, [H.] is still in assistant manager. I am just here to help out."
"Right. I don't know how you two split up the work, but [S.] told me you were 'The Man' while he was gone."
I inwardly groaned and wondered how much, if any, of this conversation was audible to everyone within earshot. The damage wreaked by S.'s refusal to officially pass-the-baton would be catastrophic.
So, I ended the conversation as quickly and awkwardly as possible, which probably bodes ill for my own career. Even so, I was immensely grateful when the director left, and even more so that H. still appeared to be on his cell.
The fact that H. stood up and walked away, while still on the phone, as soon as the director departed though filled me with some unease.
As has his disappearance since then.