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Deflecting accomplishment and then inquiring about a minor task

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Deflecting accomplishment and then inquiring about a minor task

Looking for your input on how to respond to the owner of the company for which I am a subcontractor.

I accomplished a major task that will bring additional revenue to the company. The owner of the company does not offer any accolades for this accomplishment. Instead, she will bring up a minor record keeping task that was not completed (“Oh by the way…. Where are you on xxxxxxx")

PS. There is a wrinkle here that gets under my skin. Her bf’s best friend works for the company. I run circles around him. When clients need a major task completed, the owner comes to me. She has a saying “do you want the fast way or the slow way”. Meaning, I get the work done… he takes forever. Job was given to him as a favor to bf. When this guy completes something minor, the praises are abound.

She will bring up this minor record keeping task on our staff call. I want to be prepared with “words to say” to get my point across that the major task was my focus and want her to back off! (diplomatically of, course) :)

Thank you!

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  1. Anonymous

    Leave it alone. She has confidence in you and gives you work. Thats all you need. Her pointing out errors here and there is her prerogative. Don’t compare yourself to the other guy or look for fairness.

  2. Anonymous

    Makes sense.. but extremely difficult not to compare to the other guy since he gets paid the same hourly rate...and cannot doesnt produce the same work. I do hear what you are saying! Thank you

  3. SPNN4 S

    She might just be doing that to give him confidence. Bring you down a notch to uplift him. I agree with the other posters.

    Just be professional and continue to be amazing & don't sweat the small stuff..

  4. Anonymous

    Answer....."Yes of course the xyz ("minor") task will be completed by xxxx i hope this has not caused any inconvenience. I have been so focused on completing xyz deliverables this task slipped. "

    Since the minor task is also your's to deliver you would never want to downplay the missed deadline or the unimportance of the task. Thats just fuel for the fire. The best way to be professional and admired is to take clear and complete responsibility (regardless of how minor). Offer no excuses just clarity and offer apologies and solutions. Own it and very few on that call will register the lapse in delivery.

  5. Anonymous

    thank you ... good advice!

  6. GirlBossanova934974

    As a business owner myself, one of my most important rules is to NEVER show any sort of favoritism to any employee unless it is backed up by things that DIRECTLY tie to the company's bottom line. My second rule is to always send an email or call the employee when they do well. When the action is very helpful to the bottom line, cash comes with the thank you. Your business owner has violated these two rules and frankly, I wouldn't stick around for it. Reminding an employee of minor transgressions in light of major financial accomplishments is just adding insult to injury. From my experience, outfits that do these sorts of things don't stick around that long. It is called GREED!

  7. Anonymous

    Wonderful to hear your business philosophy....I am certain this encourages your employees to be motivated.... and Yes....not sticking around has crossed my mind.... Thank you!

  8. GirlBossanova934974

    We recently were fortunate to be able to rebook a decent quantity of orders that been originally been booked earlier in the year. Prices had come down in some cases by 10-30%. The company rebooked and divided up the savings by keeping 70% for the company and then giving bonuses to the employees for the other 30%. The end customer paid the original price. Each rebooked order belonged to an individual company employee so the more they rebooked, the bigger bonus they received! SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE! As we say, pay for performance.

  9. Anonymous

    I am certain that is why you are successful!

  10. Anonymous

    It's not worth your energy, just do your job and get paid.. People like that will never change and it will only frustrate you more.

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