She thought of when she went in to work and got her promotion. It wasn't without chasing her former boss over it, who had been approached by her soon to be new boss a month before -- in an email. Then a follow-up email took place and she found herself being asked by the secretary whether she 'had heard anything' or had "been approached" by her boss. She admitted she had not, and was then advised emails had gone unanswered by her boss. This surprised her and at the same time, brought a frown to her face and some concern. Would her boss really smile in her face, say she was a good worker, and wouldn't stand in the way if some new promotion came along, only to show otherwise with passive aggressive action?
Would her boss truly veto a pass for her to move up and onward? If so, what was her boss willing to counter with? She waited a week to hear anything, and the secretary came to her again and said her boss had not heard anything, and that she may have to confront her boss about her interest in the new gig.
She went to speak to her boss, and asked for some time to talk about a potential opportunity with the department, only to be blown off for yet another week with no response. The supervisor would answer any other question but nothing relating to her email inquiry. She then decided it was time to take things into her own hands, and asked for five minutes to speak with her boss. She told her boss about being approached with a new opportunity, and what did the boss think or want to do? She was basically opening the door, giving her boss first dibs to come up with an offer, or at least something to make her think twice about considering taking on this new position.
Her boss shrugged her shoulders and stated she had nothing to give her, and was not expected to hire anybody. She was again a bit surprised and a little sad, because she had figured she would get a story but she was still hoping that her boss would tell the truth or at least come with a counter. Her boss stated if this was something she wanted to do, then that's it.
She stood expectantly, waiting for her boss to come with something, but it was clear her boss wasn't going to blink today. She nodded, and stated it was something she would like to consider going to, but just wanted to run it by her to get her thoughts as she had worked closely with her for the past year and a half.
Her boss stated she would make some inquiries and 'start the process'. They left it at that, and she went back to her desk, with her "thank you" to her boss still hanging in the air as she went back to her desk. It seemed too simple, too adult, too clean, too matter of fact. But she had to think for herself and look out for herself. She had left the door open to her boss and gave her boss the opportunity to come up with even a "let's touch base on Monday, I have to think about this," ...just...SOMETHING, to show that she didn't want to lose her on her team, and that she really was going to think about it.
Instead, her boss seemed resigned. Or simply didn't believe it and thought it would blow over.
Her boss came to her on a Friday and advised that she was heading on vacation, but just wanted to break the news that the other department did indeed want to offer her a position working with a new boss -- she gave the name -- and if she was still interested? Yes, she stated simply. Her boss just looked her in the face as if seeing her for the first time. "Ok, we'll start the process and put up the notice for your old spot when I get back. On Monday, you report to your new department," she stated, and that was the end of the conversation.
Again, it seemed cut and dry, simple, simply done. She felt she could breathe a sigh of relief. It was really happening, she thought, with little to no drama. She went home that day excited and a bit scared. But it was a good feeling. She was moving forward. She felt also a little sad, because she wondered why her old boss didn't come with anything to offer.
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