pedalpounder
09-01-07, 02:33 PM
My carreer was literally hanging by a thread which is when I decided to go get diagnosed and take some meds. I was a good, knowledgeable worker with a lot of experience. That wasn't my problem. My problem was how poorly I would handle stress, especially when it had to do with coworker incompetence. The tipping point for me came when after a heated meeting where me and a problem-coworker were debating an issue, I got so ticked at his arrogant know-it-all attitude that I left the room, slammed the door, waited for him to leave and screamed, literraly screamed and swearing at him as he was walking back to his office on the other side of the building. I saw my boss' boss' boss peak his head out of his office trying to see what the commotion was all about.
I did everything but say something very innapropriate that I knew was just an impulse away from coming out of my mouth. I don't know how I held it back since I was so furious.... turns out this particular coworker is black, and let me point out that I'm by no means racist... like, at all. But when you're really angry and you want to hurt someone, there are choice words that can be used. Words that will get you fired on the spot.
I had to get a grip or the end of my career would have been an impulsive moment away, never mind the almost 9 years I've had at this company (average tenure is 5 years here). Well, in came the doctor appointments and meds. TOTAL change... I would handle disagreements strategically, started cooperating on problem resolutions, approached pointing out problems in a constructive way. All of that I can DIRECTLY tie to the meds. I don't quite get why yet, but it's like my stubborn hard-headedness kinda gave way to strategic manipulation to get things to happen my way. (not manipulating in a creepy way). Anyway, fast forward to a few months later. I have new found respect from that particular coworker (who had lost all respect for me). My manager and other coworkers have seen a huge change in my handling of issues. They have NO clue why this is happening. For all they know I've probably just decided to get serious about my career or something.
Well, yesterday my boss told me I've done a huge amount of improvement in the last 3 months (which coincides with when I started my meds). He said that people like working with me, that I make the work environment fun, that I respect people's opinions and diversity etc etc etc. Woah! who, me?
And then he said, "so we're going to move you from just being the technical lead on the project to team lead. Here's your promotion, raise, bonus and stock bonus." The biggest, baddest, bestest compensation package I've ever had.
I had to share a moment of success with you guys. Seems like so many of the news here are bad. I consider myself very lucky for things to have gone the way they have to have put me in this situation. Taking a turn for the worse could have happened at many many times in my life. Somehow I've managed to roll a '7' at every intersection.
I did everything but say something very innapropriate that I knew was just an impulse away from coming out of my mouth. I don't know how I held it back since I was so furious.... turns out this particular coworker is black, and let me point out that I'm by no means racist... like, at all. But when you're really angry and you want to hurt someone, there are choice words that can be used. Words that will get you fired on the spot.
I had to get a grip or the end of my career would have been an impulsive moment away, never mind the almost 9 years I've had at this company (average tenure is 5 years here). Well, in came the doctor appointments and meds. TOTAL change... I would handle disagreements strategically, started cooperating on problem resolutions, approached pointing out problems in a constructive way. All of that I can DIRECTLY tie to the meds. I don't quite get why yet, but it's like my stubborn hard-headedness kinda gave way to strategic manipulation to get things to happen my way. (not manipulating in a creepy way). Anyway, fast forward to a few months later. I have new found respect from that particular coworker (who had lost all respect for me). My manager and other coworkers have seen a huge change in my handling of issues. They have NO clue why this is happening. For all they know I've probably just decided to get serious about my career or something.
Well, yesterday my boss told me I've done a huge amount of improvement in the last 3 months (which coincides with when I started my meds). He said that people like working with me, that I make the work environment fun, that I respect people's opinions and diversity etc etc etc. Woah! who, me?
And then he said, "so we're going to move you from just being the technical lead on the project to team lead. Here's your promotion, raise, bonus and stock bonus." The biggest, baddest, bestest compensation package I've ever had.
I had to share a moment of success with you guys. Seems like so many of the news here are bad. I consider myself very lucky for things to have gone the way they have to have put me in this situation. Taking a turn for the worse could have happened at many many times in my life. Somehow I've managed to roll a '7' at every intersection.