Help! My new boss is a Landmark coach!
Date: December 02, 2006 11:10AM
I started a new job this summer. I've got my qualms about the job itself, but I'll save you those gripes. Bottom line is it would be a decent job, not a dream-gig but adequate, if my supervisor wasn't batshit nuts!
She seemed nice enough during the interview, and for the first several weeks of employment I didn't notice anything odd. She had mentioned these seminars that she went to, but not in any great detail. She had also dropped some phrases that sounded pretty stupid to my ears, but hey, she's my boss, so I kept a straight face when I was told about what I know, don't know, and don't know I don't know. From the mentions she made of thse self-help seminars and stuff, I assumed it was some kind of harmless new-age crap. Later, she told me that she coached these seminars.
I did notice early on that my input on just about anything was NOT welcome, she was happier if I just did what I was told. She became very defensive and angry if I questioned any of her decisions or offered suggestions of different ways to do things. Also, she DID NOT like me questioning anything she did. I'm a James Randi fan, and I question everything and often play devil's advocate even when I agree with someone, so I found I really had to bite my tounge a lot! I am, in Landmark-speak, "uncoachable".
About 3 months into the job, there was a brief period where I couldn't seem to do anything right. I seriously thought I was going to get fired any day, even though I had been cruising along doing well (or at least, not any worse than I had been the second month on the job). I had to have "meetings" with her every afternoon for a week about my job performance, which were basically her spouting this wierd jargon at me and telling me what a bad employee I was. But then the next day I'd be doing fine. One afternoon I would think I was about to get fired, the next morning she would tell me our conversation the day before was "no big deal" and that I was doing a great job.
Her wild emotional swings were really getting to me, but there is a 6 month "probationary period" at this job during which I can be fired at any time. Normally I would stand up for myself more, but since 1). I was halfway through to getting my vacation time which kicks in at 6 months, and 2.) I decided to already look for another job anyway (since I decided the job itself wasn't all that great, crazy boss or no), and 3) the pay was good - I thought I'd just keep my head down and concentrate on my job search. So, I've tried to not cause a stir with her and lay low, while spending most of my time at work surfing employment sites for new jobs. Later and just as quickly her attitude changed again, and again I was a fine employee.
Well, she's been in a "good mood" the past several weeks, and apparently I'm a good employee again. Then, I noticed her starting to get snippy with me and I thought "Oh, boy, here we go..." She also mentioned one of the meetings she had talked about before was about to happen, and said I should think about coming. Again, she's my boss, so I just very mildly answered that I'd think about it, but to myself I'm thinking "No way I'm getting involved in whatever crazy shit you're into!" Well, she left a flyer for the seminar on my desk. "Landmark Education" - sounds innocuous, right? Well, I googled it and thankfully THIS website came up as well.
Well, now her seemingly bizarre actions have some sort of explanation. After reading what goes on in a Landmark seminar, I can see how she's used to nobody questioning all the crazy things she says!
So now I know what I'm up against. I'm even more convinced than ever that I want to leave this job! I've had three interviews in the past several weeks, but I have yet to hear back from any of them. It looks like I might be stuck in this gig for a mite longer. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with these people in an employer/employee situation? Now that I know what sort of organization this is, I'm going to find it VERY hard not to call bullshit on her the next time she throws some of this stuff in my face. But, I've just got to hold on until I hear back about one of these jobs...
Anybody? Just some positive feedback or helpful hints would be of great benefit to me!