Hostile Takeover

At the beginning of the month, I was informed that my department would be taken over and moved to another area.  I was asked to work from home and to work on a special project during the transition.  (Yes, there is more to this story, but unfortunately I can't get into all of the details...)

After a month of bobbing around waiting for answers and clarity, I finally got answers to many questions and resigned my position; agreeing to work as a consultant for a special project for the next several months.

I held my head high, but was secretly falling apart.  Many people may not realize how important my job has been in my world and how much I put into it.  I literally gave myself to the position and was hoping it would flourish and grow into something successful that I created. Others clearly didn't have this same vision.  (The history here is that I was hired by the Chief Financial Officer/VP of Administration and worked for the Dean of Students.  Then my office was moved and shortly after that, my department was shifted to work under the CFO/VP, except he resigned and I would actually be working for the new person.  Let's just say that the new CFO/VP never understood my job, my responsibilities or the effort that went into accomplishing my goals.  So the administration decided to make another move and shift my department under the VP of Development; only I wasn't going with the department.)

I focused on working out the specifics of my new duties (and of course, started looking for another job).  I learned from quite a few of my colleagues and friends that there were a lot of rumors going around about me.  Once I heard what the rumors were, and was able to piece it all together, I understood that my friends had stabbed me in the back.  A small group of them were a part of this melodrama that had become my life for the past month.  I can't even describe the depth of emotions that surged through me... considering I had no idea that there were problems between us or that they were acting so maliciously behind my back.

Why is life junior high?

As I write this (and the series of posts that follow), I'm keenly aware of the many facets of human nature and people's personalities.  That being said, I can recognize my own flaws, immaturity and inconsistency.  I think that we learn this ability in junior high.  Think back to those great years... Weren't those times where you had fights with your friends every other day, but made up right afterward?  Those were the days that everything that went mildly wrong was a crisis.  Those were the times that you were striking out on your own but still very much a kid.  You were learning that there were consequences to your actions and your words.  You had to make mistakes and sometimes learned the hard way. 

How much of that has changed today?  I'd like to think that I've matured in my years since junior high.  I still have fights with my friends, but I recognize that arguements are moments of growth and clarity.  Most of them don't end friendships, but sometimes make them stronger.  I think I'm pretty good at crisis management, however, every once in awhile, something will hit that jars me and knocks me on my ass.

Life is still junior high, because of those moments.  The times when you fight and make up; the times of crisis when you have to be strong or lean on others to get through it;  the times when you play like a kid and sometimes suffer the adult consequences of playing too hard... all bits that sling me back to junior high!

Let me tell the story and maybe you can see what I mean, or maybe you'll change my mind...