Tales From the Corner Cube
The stories shared here are drawn from real-life experiences — lived firsthand or shared by close family and friends. As you read them, you might find yourself thinking, "I know who this is about" or "I recognize that company" — but in most cases, you'd be mistaken.
These stories exist for a greater purpose: to help you see yourself in them. Maybe something here will stir a quiet recognition — this happened to me or this is happening to me right now. If so, know that you are not alone.
I'm Too Busy
Reciprocity: 1) A reciprocal condition or relationship. 2) A mutual or cooperative interchange of favors or privileges. 3) Mutual action and reaction.
(The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.
Many of you may relate to the response, “I’m too busy.” You help a fellow co-worker but when you need their help, this is how they respond to you. Being in HRIS, I received this quite a bit.
Them: “Hey, something is wrong with the system? Can you look into it.” Or “I need a report created, can you do it for me? I need it for a meeting at the end of the week.”
You: “Of course, let me look into it.” Or “Tell me what you need and I’ll get working on it.”
Then you are trying to implement a change in the system and need people to test the workflow or new profile that was built.
You: “Hey, I need help testing the system. Can you help?”
Them: “No, I’m too busy.”
It’s frustrating right? One of the leaders who oversaw some of the teams I worked with decided that they should have an all hands team meeting – cue eye roll. Of course, everyone accepts the meeting. I joined because I feel I have to and this is probably how everyone else on the team felt to. They had everyone and I mean EVERY SINGLE PERSON say what they are working on, what they accomplished so far for the year, blah, blah, blah.
I was towards the end of the endless sharing of what I am working on. My response? “I just work on what I need to work on to keep the system working as well as any reports that are needed. I’ve been on projects that have already been discussed, and we don’t need to speak about it again.” That was it. Oh wait! I added, “Next.”
Let’s say I was called the next day by this leader, and this is how the conversation went.
Leader: “Do you think this team meeting was useful?”
Me: “No.”
Leader: “Why?”
Me: “I am already in contact with anyone that needs my help. I know who is working on what because I am either part of the project and/or they need data from me. Also, whenever I ask for help, many of your team members say they are too busy. If that is truly the case, then don’t you think a 1.5 hour meeting is a waste of time?”
Let’s just say we never had an all team meeting unless it was to announce something confidential that the company was going through such as acquiring another company and how we would need to prepare for it.