An associate of my boss called me today. He was supposed to meet my boss and the latter was supposed to bring two printouts along. Just three days ago, I had slipped them under his office door (as he was not in), after which I texted him this – ‘Just slipped documents in office. Please bring to bank on Monday.’ Almost immediately, he replied ‘Ok’. Yet, today, this associate called to say my boss who is with him didn’t know he had to bring the documents. I asked to pass the phone to him. I told him I texted him and he replied ‘Ok’. He replied agitatedly that I should had reminded him. Well, the message WAS a reminder, because the envelope already had the same reminder written on it. And if he needed another reminder, he should have told me so. Indignant that he made me seem irresponsible to his associate when he was the unmindful one, I texted him this to jog his memory – ‘Sent this on Friday and you replied “Ok” – “Just slipped documents in office. Please bring to bank on Monday.”‘ As expected, there is no apology. In fact, he has never apologised for his mistakes to me.
This incident made me wonder why I have such a boss. Then it struck me that it’s my karma. Next, I wondered why he deserved an assistant like me – whom I think isn’t bad at all. The answer is still along the same line – it’s his karma. Just when I was struck with dismay at how fatalistic all these seems, I recalled that karma is dynamic. I can change my karma to deserve a better boss or even be my own boss. I can change the nature of the same boss if I increase my wisdom too – provided he is willing to change. The moment I leave might be the moment my karma changes too – in the sense of ‘coinciding’ with the end of my ‘lousy boss karma’. And if I were to leave, my boss’s karma of having a good assistant might change at the same time too. The kind of assistant he does not value and respect enough he will lose the karma of deserving – unless he changes in time.
Bro Shian
Thanks for posting this. Felt so blessed as I needed much consolation about such situation at this moment. My departmental colleagues feel worse than me thus I’ll be sharing this with them. =)
Hope all our karma will have some changes soon. Will be patient for more positive situation and that my aspiration will blossom.
Hi man, thanks, but that was by shiqin 😉 Amituofo
May you and your colleagues be well and happy. Remember karma’s dynamic – change it and conditions change! Creating fresh positive karma helps. Talking it out best you can with the people involved helps too. Even that is part of creating positive karma.
My karma is the other way…I always meet arrogant subordinates (Hi man, I am not your boss.)
I often meet seniors who thought by their senority in terms of age & years in company, they can be disrespectful to their younger boss. I think attitude is very important for all, regardless of senority, and if we put ourselves in each others’ shoe, to be more considerate & appreciative of one another, the workplace can be a better place to work in.
I always think why do they have to behave in this way?
Why can’t they think that they also have growing up children, who will be stepping into the working world, if their children is being treated or mentally abused by colleagues … They made me be aware that I must not be like them when I advance further in age.
opps.. pardon mi. Thanks Shiqin!
en bro shian. will try to cos our boss is very sensitive. not easy to explain our positive thgts to him as mostly turn negative to him.
Hi Boss
Yea. My boss unlikely to enter this blog as he’s a Christian. =) Guess each individual has our own karma; same for parent-child. Bear with it Boss. I believe by doing our part well will slowly influence others positively too. Make aspirations!
Try using an anonymous feedback letter to him, that is written such that it can be from anyone and everyone affected by him! If his management is really damaging, why not tell upper management (if there is an upper one)? If it’s risky, try the anonymous method!
(E) < Anonymous letter addressed to right person(s) addressing right issues!
lol.. that is a very creative idea. Thanks Bro.
However he has history of depression/burntout due to stress. Still undergoing medical session now. Perhaps he needs more time to realise what actually went wrong. Thou I cant help much, dedicating merits to him should be a good option.
I’m still hopeful. =)
Then maybe you can offer anonymous advice on how to de-stress and be more mindful? Get him a book maybe?
(G)
hello..Lousy Boss..lousy colleague.. can be lousy friend..lousy mum..lousy dad…lousy day…a condition of one’s heart and mind of that moment…I had a lousy moment till i read this..thanks a lot…amitabha!
this is indeed a nice analysis – of what happens to all of us at different moments in life. well done. all one needs to do is replace Boss with XXXX and we can then contemplate on the true nature of reality – but ultimately one will have to move and take action – as in this case to let the “boss” know about how you felt and how he can be a bit more kind or gentle or at least apologise – even that is in your karma!
good morning..yes..indeed.thks again.having a good moment when i read this..Even your suggestion is in my karma..
amitabha!