LJ: Your boss likes you

For years, I often wondered how folks in management could live with themselves. I always saw them making decisions and ordering me and others around with almost total disregard for how it affect us. And since I knew I eventually wanted to have their level of responsibility one day, I took note of the things they did that pissed me off and vowed not to do them when I was in their shoes.

I don't always succeed, but I always try to think of how my guys here are going to be affected by the jobs I take, how I design them and who else I put on their calls (you don't want to put two guys who generally don't get along as co-leads on the same crew... that sort of thing). I'd also like to think that people like working with me as their supervisor. I try to meet their demands, try to get them raises and bonuses when they deserve it, that sort of thing. But I realized today, when my shop manager left after his final day here, that sometimes there isn't anything I can do to keep some people happy. And I'm not ripping on him at all, it's just that he's a fantastic worker, and I tried really hard to get my bosses to meet all of his reasonable demands (health coverage, regular raises, that sort of thing). But it simply got to the point where I kept meeting demands, and he'd warm up to them briefly, then go back to his pure loathing for the job. And that's what it boils down to... I guess I needed to recognize that sometimes people aren't happy in a job for reasons that can be fixed, and sometimes they're unhappy for reasons that cannot be fixed. I just kept throwing bones, and he kept taking them (who wouldn't?) but..., well, I guess it sort of feels like it might feel if I were that guy standing at the base of the Hoover Dam, plugging a leak with one finger, then another pops open, so I wedge that one shut, but then another pops open, then another and another... and I don't think that if I had completely resurfaced the dam, it would have been enough.

The point is, if you're at a job you hate, but the guy who's your boss seems to be working for your good, there's a pretty good chance he is, and that either A) the people above him are keeping him from making your life much easier because it would inconvenience them too much, or B) you and the job just aren't right for each other. Or some combination thereof. And when you give your notice, and as your walking out on your last day, there is at least one person there who will be sad to see you go.