Changes

I don't show up at work for eight weeks and things change--but I never thought they'd change so radically.

When I go back, I'll have new boss.

I still can't quite believe it.

We also got a new email system while I've been on jury duty. (Deliberations continue…more on that later.) The new email is good because I can actually check it from home--and respond to messages and manage my calendar. It's not perfect but it's a heck of a lot better than the old system.

Yesterday, I checked my email and I read that my boss, Larry, was promoted to his boss's position and that my buddy, TR, was promoted to Larry's position. I had NO idea this was in the works. That means that TR is now the division director. He was formerly the deputy division director. We all knew that when my boss left, TR would take over. However, since my boss is a long way from retirement and was happy as division director, I figured this wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

(Aside: I just talked about this with Diego (before I knew about the shake up) and Diego thought TR would leapfrog into the position Larry is now in--and Larry would stay put. That would have been fine with me, though I think Larry will be very good in the new position.)

TR is one of my best friends at work. In fact, he's one of my best friends in DC. But I've never thought I'd be happy with him at as a boss. Why? First, he's terrible at delegating. Even since becoming deputy, he hasn't changed his style. Second, we're peers. I don't want to take orders from him. Last, I like to keep some professional distance between my boss and myself. As crazy as I am about Larry, there are things I'd never talk to him about. I've talked to TR about all of those things. Ye gods, I went to TR's house at 2:30 in the morning with a boy (Owen) in tow to get my extra keys when I locked myself out of the house. This is not something I would tell my boss.

I have no idea what it's going to be like without Larry in charge. He'll still be nearby--in the office next door. In a sense, we'll be closer since we'll share a wall but I'll have to go out into the main hallway to get to him. I won't feel comfortable telling him what's going on with my job or asking for his input since that won't be his job anymore. Or will it? I'm not exactly sure what he'll do since the guy he's replacing hasn't done much for several years.

When I got the email yesterday, I was stunned and a little offended that no one told me this was in the works. Today, there was an email from TR with the subject line, "Transitions." It read, in part, "Since this move was a bit of a surprise to Larry and me, we are still sorting out the transition." It made me feel a little better. Then I thought, "What the heck is going on around there? What kind of place promotes people by surprise?"

I'm not looking forward to going back to work as much as I was a couple of days ago. For the first time in years, I've seriously thought about leaving--at the least, transferring to another division. Maybe I should just see how it goes before I cut and run. I am not happy about this change, not at all, but what can you do?

Grateful for: patience.