I have 2 big changes in my life happening in the next 2 weeks and I'm nervous

[sniffa]

1. Starting Monday, I'll be acting in my new title (I've been doing it for a while now, but I've finally been promoted to it, and getting a raise) but now, it will be different. Our client was complaining about the money he was paying us for a 2 man crew (he was paying $25 less per hour - economy and all) so we agreed to rework the contract: we're now supplying a one man crew (me!) to work with some guy our client just hired. The guy I'm supposed to be working with showed up at my job site last Friday, and he doesn't look like he's playing with a full deck. That's ok, as I only need a body.

However, this guy is "apparently" a 20 year experienced, party chief (my role) they hired to be my lackey. The way our client's people were talking to him, it seemed like he may think he's the boss (or that they want him to be, despite the explicit wording of our new agreement) and that they're hoping/expecting him to take charge and get me to do work I'm not authorized to do.

I've discussed this with my boss, and he assured me twice that I'm the chief, our client's owner knows this, and that no matter what happens, I make the final call.

Despite that, I'm concerned about a possible power struggle, and how I should react; I think I should/may react aggressively if that happens. I'm worried it may happen especially since I'm much younger than the guy.

I've been dreading this ever since seeing the guy and listening to our client "interview" him on site.

I also don't know how to interact with someone I don't know, and haven't worked with; someone who doesn't work for my company, and doesn't have the same connection to my company. Our client is really fucking sketchy, and I expect this to be some sort of end-around of what we refuse to provide (we're already doing far more than what was originally agreed to) and ALSO, I suspect they want me to train the guy so that next year they can let us go from the 5+ year project (what I do is apparently very hard. I've tried to teach several people, and no one can get it). As such, I probably won't try hard to teach this guy much. It's my reputation and my company's reputation on the line, so I have to keep that in mind despite what our client wants, or tries to force me to do.

Yeah, so I don't know what to expect on Monday and beyond. :shrug:

However, the new agreement of me being a one man crew is going to make my company a lot of money, so I'm excited to try my hardest. :D

Not sure what to expect obviously, but more so, how I should react. I'm very stern, and in charge in this environment, so I'm planning on that, but this is a totally new (challenge?) for me.

2. I have my first class (back to skool!) in less than 2 weeks and while excited about this new chapter in my life, I'm at times terrified. It's been about a decade since I was last in school, and then I was just a student. Now, I have a full time job and a family, and I'm nervous I won't have it in me to pull it off. I know I can do it (be a good student) but I have my doubts here and there. :(

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Good luck with all of that *hugs* I am sure all will go well

[sniffa]

15. Gracias

:hug:

[flvegan]

2. I was told that the first day in the yard

pick a fight with the biggest guy. Get that respect, even if you get beat down.

Wait, that's not right...

[sniffa]

16. And be careful when they select you for laundry duty

That's always where the Sisters Of Mercy corner you for rape-good-times.

[AlCzervik]

3. I would treat him like i would treat any other employee, you're in charge and that's that

If you're too nice it'll be weird and if you're a dick that'll be trying too hard, just be yourself and yourself is the guy in charge.

And i think you'll be a wonderful student, you're older now and your going to be there because you want to be.

Good luck with all of it, i know you'll be successful.

[sniffa]

7. Thank you much

:loveya:

It's just different because he's not my company's employee, and I witnessed what our client was saying to him - they seem to want him to do what we won't do, and I think they expect him to take charge and force me to what I won't do. I will not do that, and I will not acquiesce, but I don't know how to go about it aside from being my sometimes, belligerent, semi-violent self to get that point across to someone I'm dreading will try to have a power struggle with me. Maybe I'm totally wrong, and everything will go smoothly, but the client seems to be planning something completely different from what they agreed to. Then there's the aspect that I (and several people, but not my boss) seem to think is going on here - I train this rube to do what I do so that our penny-pinching client can save even more money (conflict of interest be damned!)

Again, thank you much. :loveya:

[RevolutionaryActs]

4. Best of luck!

But I'm sure it will all be fine. :hug:

[sniffa]

10. Thank you babe

I'm sure I'll do fine, but prior (as is usually the case) I'm having confidence issues.

:loveya:

[Lil Missy]

5. I think you will do fine. Just don't let him change the boundaries.

And a word to the wise, for what it's worth. The only thing I would change in your plan is to be ASSERTIVE, as opposed to AGGRESSIVE. Just my 2 cents.

I really think you are going to do fine. Good luck.

:)

[sniffa]

17. I'm pretty assertive in this role - I have to be

and no one fucks with me too much, because of it (there's really quite a mind fuck for most people involved. I've been spared mostly, I think, because of the hard edge I project).

And, thank you. I hope I do. :D

[EFerrari]

6. Nervous is just excited doing a handstand.

Have a great time. :)

[sniffa]

18. Confucius say

thank you. :)

[jonnyblitz]

8. you'll do fine once you acclimate to it .

it just seems daunting when you think ahead about it, that's all. :hi:

[sniffa]

9. Yeah, I kinda know that deep down

but I'm still nervous. Most of my nerves are unfounded, but it doesn't stop them from coming.

Thanks for responding. :hi:

[jonnyblitz]

11. yeah i hear you, your brain says one thing but your body reacts

anyway. the same thing happens to me. I should know better than to offer such cliched words of comfort, i was just blowing happy smoke up your ass to make you feel better. BUSTED. :P

I would probably be nervous thinking about all of that, too. nothing you can do, i suppose, but ride it out.

[sniffa]

13. I'm gonna ride dirty

:D

I'm still nervous, but I know I usually respond appropriately (for me) off the cuff.

[bettyellen]

19. oooo happy smoke!

it's nice to see you two shooting the shit. reallly nice.
y'all will have to visit NY soon.
:loveya:

[terrya]

12. My best wishes for you.

You'll be fine. :-)

:thumbsup:

[sniffa]

14. Thank you

I hope so.

:scared:


:loveya:

[bettyellen]

20. you should have a couple of comebacks prepped that are on the surfaced at least less

negative.,, you know- pretend to be solution oriented....but reference the boundries of the contract..... offer to share the agreede upon details to the new guy to clarify roles/ resposibilities. Let them know what the extra fees would be for the additional work, let them know your job is not that of a teacher-no can teach period. just refer back to the terms if the contract, and if it comes up a second time, tell him the issue had already been settled when that contract was signed. Let him know he's wasting everyone's time unless he goes in to renegotiate. your hands are tied. that shouldn;t be hard for you, ya bastard! :hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

21. Good luck with both changes Sniffa

My best wishes and positive vibes. I think you'll do fine.

Going back to school should be fun. I know several people who went back to school when they had full-time jobs and a family and many of them thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Flaxbee]

22. your boss obviously has utmost confidence in you, or he

wouldn't have put you in this situation. Sounds like you really know how to handle yourself, but it also sounds like the client is trying to orchestrate an end-run around your company at some point. Ugh.

You may already do this, but document everything. EVERYTHING. Even if it takes you extra time at the end of the day, keep a notebook or some sort of log about what happened that day, what this new guys asks for / doesn't do / etc. That will protect you and your company in case the client goes off (and they sound difficult).

Congrats on returning to school! I've been thinking of that, too -- going back to learn something I'm interested in, rather than just get a degree.