Well here we go

TWC has decided to pull Ameritech's contract. As excited as I should be because this may finally be my chance to get out of cable, I am terrified of having to find another job. I am terrified to work for someone other than my current boss. We have until August 13th. THEN if TWC decides, our contract goes month to month. Needless to say, I am staying here until BC tells me to go home and not come back. He is the most awesome person to work for. He actually tells you a) when you screw up....to your face and b) when you are doing a good job. And he always seems to tell you at exactly the right moment. Saturday night (my 4th night of pulling a double) I was FED UP!! I was ready to wash my hands of the entire situation and tell TWC to bite me. I needed help and I needed it BIG TIME! I called BC AND sent him an email that I was almost done with the whole situation and I didn't care anymore. He told me over the phone to do my best. UM...HELLO? I am at my wits end here dude! My best is not getting these guys out of the field anymore. In his defense there was nothing that he could do that I hadn't already tried. So what else could he say? It's not like he was sitting in front of the TV drinking a beer and laughing at me so I took it. He then responded to my email with the simplest of phrases that, at that moment, made me a little teary. He said, "You're doing a good job. I will remember all the hard work you do for me." For a few seconds, at least, those few little words made everything better again. The reason I take these few words so seriously is that I'd never heard that at my old job. Sure I heard it from my direct supervisor but she's like a sister to me so she doesn't count. Even on the days when I was dispatching over 40 techs alone, throwing up at my desk because I had morning (all day) sickness when I pregnant with Tyler, even on the days I was so weak from not being able to hold any food down. Even on the day of my review when I had perfect attendance and never called out of work for anything more than a OB doctors appointment. Actually I say never but I think I may have heard it once...it was so few and far between though that I responded to my boss at the time, "Are you serious?" I thought he was being facetious. Who knew?
So this is what I say to you people in supervisory positions. Let your people know when they are doing a good job. THEY WILL KEEP DOING IT!!! Also be honest with them when they screw up. THEY WILL WORK TO FIX IT!! It's amazing how telling someone that they are appreciated can make them feel. Especially when they are stressed out and pulling their hair out to do a good job.....FOR YOU!!!