Rare topic

Besides monetary remuneration, I guess the best satisfaction one could derive from his job is recognition from the boss.

Vince now reports to a great boss who's always willing to give opportunities to learn & to advance, who's also caring & clicks very well with subordinates & colleagues. Knowing it's just a matter of time that hubby will leave as this is not exactly what he wants to do, last week his boss proposed a newly created position to him with a totally different set of JD. Very interesting yet challenging. Good advancement prospects too if there's result.

Currently hubby's very busy as he's wearing 2 hats till someone takes over his present job. Heard they're about to conduct interviews... meaning he'll still have to juggle for at least another month?

As for me, be ready for another long story............

I had the biggest quarrel with my boss last April. The root of it was my Vietnam trip. It's a preparatory trip for the following month's commercial mission. Told him prior to my departure that I only needed 2 days in Hanoi, 2 days in HCMC & could be back on Thurs instead of Fri. But he wasn't for it as he thought I should try to do more in Vietnam & be back on Fri as planned. However I still went ahead to book myself a flight back on Thurs. At HCMC airport, boss happened to call. When he knew I was about to board a plane, he was furious. Really furious & shouted that I didn't inform him. I argued but the real reason was I knew he'd object to it. I could have obeyed by staying for another day & night without any agenda, just for leisure. But I had work on hand.. I wanted to come back to settle the urgent matters. There's so much to do within a month. And of course, it's also because I missed hubby terribly & wanted to see him sooner.

That's the 1st time in all these years I've worked for him that he raised his voice at me & got so angry. I knew I was at fault. I could have a million reasons but I guess he felt disrespected. To think the stress from the upcoming events had overpowered me so much that I risked angering him. After he slammed my phone, I knew it's time for me to go. I'd enough of those mission problems which seemed to be getting from bad to worse & then my boss.

So I resigned the next day & determined to go even after he spent nearly an hour persuading me to stay. But before I knew what I was getting myself into, I relented to giving him 5.5 months' notice, ie end Sept. Even for someone who holds a senior management position only needs to give 3 months! Hubby was too shock to comment when I called & told him. Everyone said I was stupid. I think I was. My weakness is always being too soft-hearted. Afterall he's been nice to me (except for a few times). He'd also proposed some attractive monetary conditions (not pay increment though as he said it's difficult since the principal didn't increase our contract fees). Told me I would always be welcomed to stay if I were to change my mind.

Not long after I tendered, big boss who's based in Jakarta also had a word with me. He wanted to keep me in the company but I was vague.

In August when boss was back from his 1-month vacation, I told him I would stay till Feb 2008 since it's not easy to get a job nearing year end. And I could also take things much easier as there wasn't much work from Oct - Feb. Surprisingly he's happy about my decision, saying he wouldn't want to give up any chance of me staying. But I was glad to be leaving at the right time as there would be major restructuring by our principal to all international reps this April.

Just last Thursday, boss had another round of talk with me. He again wished that I would stay. My decision: I'll stay. Why? He intended to match the pay I'd in mind (to my surprise!) while doing lesser of the routine. The 'mission' part would still be there but the big attraction gotta be less travelling for me. He repeatedly said that he's happy with my performance (& each time he said that he had to add "but if similar incident happens again, I'll still do the same" :\). Obviously he's truly upset with what happened previously. Frankly, who wouldn't? I've to agree with him that I'm used to not having anyone lording over me most of the time. And that it's better to work for a boss who appreciates me than for someone who doesn't. The fact that he does come to me whenever he has doubts in his English & often says I'm his English teacher somewhat flatters me, to think that it’s your knowledgeable & autocratic boss says that to you. And I seriously do not think my English is that good at all.

I couldn't think of a valid reason to reject. Not as yet. Besides, I do enjoy the privacy & convenience of the office.

Of course, what he proposed to me would have to first go through our principal.

Was especially touched when he said in the event that our relationship with principal failed, he still wished that I would continue working for him. That's if I'm willing to have a complete job switch. Till then I'll think about it.

We must thank God that He gave the both of us some form of assurance almost at the same time.

That doesn't mean we won't face any hardship or criticism at work. It might just be the next minute that the boss thinks my report sucks.

So just rejoice while we can & brace up during the tough times.