Speaking my Truth

I chose myself today. At least I think I did.

A member of my team expressed disagreement at my leniency in regards to Customer Deadlines. As he had made the statement before, I decided now was the time to address it.

I sent an email saying this was the second time he had made this particular comment and then I proceeded to state the reasons behind some of the deadline leniency. A few minutes later he responded in an email of his own that although he understood where I was coming from, he felt we were engaging in hand holding. I responded that we would just have to agree to disagree since I didn't see the situation as black and white but that next time, I needed him to be aware that making that audible statement actually weakened my position as a Supervisor as opposed to being a helpful forward moving comment. His response was, "Note taken."

This particular incident was sparked by a statement he made to another customer about the possibility of seats opening up because we were waiting on one group to make their payment. He told this caller to check in with us tomorrow because the payment deadline had already passed. When he got off the phone I asked him to check the notes on the account that still owed money and after some investigating, he realized that the group had an extension for at least 5 more days. When I asked for the caller's information (I was going to send him/her an email), he said he would contact the caller and then added the statement that I felt the need to address: "Well what's the point of having deadlines?!"

As I stated in the beginning of this entry, I feel as though I chose myself today--I spoke up and addressed something that didn't sit right with me. It's one thing to have opinions about my methods, but when its voiced in a way that is more detrimental than helpful, then I have only myself to blame if I don't speak up. I trust he wouldn't have made the statement had he realized the larger potential implications of uttering it out loud. But I had to addressed it and I did it in the best way that I could at that time and I have no regrets about speaking up.

I don't know how this exchange will affect our future relationship. We were friends before I became his Supervisor. I still have great respect for him and sincerely wish him nothing but the best. But at this time I can't help but wonder if because of this exchange whether a clearer line has been drawn between a Friendship and a Work Relationship?

Only time will tell.