Working with my manager - tips?

[ashlen]

Hello. I am wondering if you can give me tips or insight in improving my working relationship with my manager?

I started doing virtual work (social media management) for a car wrapping company (relatively small company, 8 employees) earlier this year and after a few months I was asked to come into the office three days a week to help with organizing paper work. It's been about 4 months now since I've been working in the office and I have been asked to do everything from organizing files to answering phones to managing their clients' social media accounts (three clients). I've been chewed out a few times by my manager who is the knowledge base of the company - she keeps track of everything such as production, design, incoming payments, etc.

Today she said she is unhappy with me because I have not been actively involved in management and that I should know the primary contact to every client by now and be answering the phone more efficiently (such as answering the client directly rather than putting on hold to hand over to her). I understand where she is coming from but I am wondering how do I have her share her knowledge with me efficiently? I don't inquire about activity so often because I feel I am burdening her and she has also told me to "figure it out on my own" in the past. Not to mention a lot happens in the office during the two days I am not there and I do not have access to her email which is where she does most of her work of communicating with clients, sending files to the correct department, etc.

It's weird because I don't really know what is expected of me so I have fallen back on direct work like paying bills, personal assistant work, filing, etc. but they've actually been testing me to see me take the reigns in management.

[nealrm]

Sounds like a classic manager problems. She has failed to set expectation and goals, is expecting you to acquire knowledge without training, and then expresses disappointment.

The solution is that you will need to do part of her job. Setup a meeting with her, set the agenda to include setting goals and laying out training. If this works, you will know what you need to do.

If she will not setup a meeting, start looking for other employment. Without goals in place, you will be in a downward spiral that will end with your termination.

[Fulcrum]

I agree with nealrm and would like to add that this sounds like your office runs using tribal knowledge.

Is there a way for your manager to have, at a glance, a chart (or something similar) that outlines where everything is in the production cycle? This way, all you need to do is familiarize yourself with the chart every morning and you can ask questions before calls come in.

[ybmindframe]

I agree with the above statement. But it does happen. We as managers are faced with a lot but its hard to fault you if you weren't properly trained. Just be real with her without sounding confrontational and ask her what does she expects of you. Ask her for additional training if needed

[ashlen]

I don't see any getting out of this job drama. I have lost interest in fixing the relationship with my manager to the point that today I became defensive when she used a past minor error I made against me for the third time now. Typically I take the heat but today I responded back in defense because she was making statements that were not true and we ended up going back and forth like children. I have never felt such anger with someone before or have felt a lack of interest in helping. I told her I would like to talk more about the specific details of my position which she responded it is my choice to decide what I wish to do and I will lay out my own tasks and time allotment. At this point I really feel no energy to help the company. I feel sorry to end my relationship with the company this way after they have invested in me.

[JC]

I don't see any getting out of this job drama. I have lost interest in fixing the relationship with my manager to the point that today I became defensive when she used a past minor error I made against me for the third time now. Typically I take the heat but today I responded back in defense because she was making statements that were not true and we ended up going back and forth like children. I have never felt such anger with someone before or have felt a lack of interest in helping. I told her I would like to talk more about the specific details of my position which she responded it is my choice to decide what I wish to do and I will lay out my own tasks and time allotment. At this point I really feel no energy to help the company. I feel sorry to end my relationship with the company this way after they have invested in me.

Sorry it turned out that way for you as well, but you stood up for yourself and called someone out who deserved it and that takes the kind of courage that, imo, most people don't have. I would consider writing a note to her supervisor or the owner (if she isn't) before you quit to let her/him know what happened so that you may help future employees. All the best to you moving forward, and remember, when one door closes another one opens. :)