Office politics

Office politics.  The bane of any organization - big or small.  The temping work place I've been at offered me a dynamic view of the people working there.  The office manager disgruntled at the sales director who makes double the salary thinks she's doing more than her fair of work while he isn't.  The way I see things, it's about being vague about job specifications and descriptions.  I suppose as simply as I see things, there's more than meets the eye.  I've been there a month and I suppose as low as I keep my nose in my work, in an office that small, one's nevertheless exposed to the dynamics of office politics.

Also, I am beginning to realise that my being there is beginning to be seen as a threat to the office manager.  As much as I like her and look up to her, she is abit of a prima donna and thrives on being the centre of attraction.  With a younger, more qualified and capable person coming along most prima donnas would feel threatened.  Furthermore, her needing to always be the centre of attention and bossing the men about does not bode well with the men in the office.  However, since she's fairly efficient and knows where the paper work is, they tolerate her traits.

'She is rather stressful, isn't she?'  uttered the new sales director to the out-going one when she was out of the room.  I have to admit the way the office manager sighs and struts around the room in a sort of dramatized attention seeking fashion can be rather disconcerting. Particularly for men who are accustom to the civility of an officer's mess.  However, here's where past experiences (the bad) have benefited me. Having been through hell and back, I've possibly seen and experienced much of the worst of what human insecurities can play up.  Thankfully, with work to concentrate on, I am unfazed.  And I suppose the men being wary of women (because of office manager's faffing about), steer clear of me too.  Which is okay by me since am not really big on small talk.

I suppose what office manager crave is to be the centre of attention.  Maybe she's lonely.  Maybe it is just her nature.  To be a drama queen.  Which probably explains her bent for all things arty farty.  It's her trying to differentiate herself from the ordinary humdrum of the rest of us who tries to blend in rather than stand out.  I've noted she does enjoy talking about herself.  And she did say that talking to me was good for her ego (I tend to agree with what she says).  Best not to rock boat.  Besides, I know nothing.  But whatever it is, it is not my problem but hers.  And it is not my job to make things right for her.  I'm there to do my job and learn and once am done I'm off.  The less I have to do with the office politics, the better.