Promotion Rejection: Being Told Your Too Negative

Hi RHU

I have a weird story for you guys this time.

Now I've been working in bookstores for 8 years now and I know a lot of shit about books, book stores, how to make displays, how to handle crustys and how to handle coworkers.

The people that own the bookstore I'm working in now are opening another one and I showed interest in becoming shop manager. The owner talked to me a few days ago about my rewuest and told me that she didn't want me for the job because I'm to negative. WTF? What does that even mean?

I'm not negative, I have a low tolerance for stupidity but I don't take it out on the customers. In my 8 years I've only lost my temper once and unfortunately that was to someone who knew my boss's boss so that got out of hand.

I don't really get this reason, she talked about it as if my "negativity" was effecting my job and if it is why has no one talked to me about that before? Customers seem to like me, I've foiled a NAT or two and saved the store some grief in that department and I'm really fucking good at selling books.

Aside from everything else I think I would be an awesome boss, I would stick up for my employees and FINALLY I would be in the position to politely tell NAT's or Crustys to fuck off.

I've been thinking of applying for a shop managers position at a pet store where I frequently shop and I sort of know the owner and she seems like a nice enough lady. It would mean a longer commute but I'd be getting more money and it would be awesome to show up my current boss.

The only thing I'm sure of is that despite the feeling of being slapped in the face with a used toilet rag I'm not quitting until I find another job.

All the best

--Bitterbookaddickt.

P.S. I'm gonna drown my sorrows in some Vodka now

 

 

Comments

[Trippetta]

Well, either you ARE too negative and you're not willing to admit it, or she's making up an excuse. Either way, I would try for that other job but don't count on it not having it's drawbacks as well.

[NumismaticNerd]

Better than what Hellgreens told me... I was too friendly and not fast enough.

[The Last Archimedean]

Reminds me of this...

Little Junior: "I have an acronym for myself. B.A.D. -- brains, attitude, determination. You should give yourself an acronym -- it helps you visualize your goals."

Jimmy: "All right." [Thinks for a moment] "Mine is F.A.B."

Little Junior: "What does that stand for?"

Jimmy: "F***ed at birth."

Little Junior: [shaking head] "No good. Too negative."

[I don't have an acronym for myself, but I do try to maintain a positive attitude. Maybe not quite as extreme as when Diamond Dallas Page was "Positively Page", but I do look for the good in situations. Keep positive and go for the other job.]

[Face]

*You're
*too
*affecting

[Becky]

Some people also use the term "negative" to mean "realistic." Maybe that's the problem. Not that it's a problem, but some see it that way.

[Bagel Bat]

I agree with Becky, some people interpret your attitude differently also. The lady at the pet-store may see your "negativity" as realism and the efficiency to protect store assets from NATs and other assholes. :D

[melmcl]

I would apply for the other job. If that is all she could give you for an excuse after 8 years, she just isn't going to promote you.
A great record like yours would be welcome elsewhere. I agree you have to expect parts of your job to suck no matter where you go, but not having the appreciation or recognition after a long term employment undermines your self-esteem. And then it pisses you off!

[Durango Deli Slave]

I feel your pain, my friend. I have been told that as well, when I tried to move up from assistant manager, to manager. I even had my application for said position torn up in front of me.
I have discovered that one the reasons that I haven't been promoted is because I don't "play the game", as I call it. Kissing ass to the uppy-ups is just something I have never done, and I don't see myself doing it anytime in the future.
You might want to ride it out until your current superior leaves and then try again. Or try and find another company that may want your excellent track record. Either way, I wish you luck!

[Queer Geek]

Don't feel bad. I was interviewing for a HR position within my company and the rep told me that I was not personable enough. Excuse me? I work at a complaints counter where I kiss a custy's ass all day. I'm not personable?

[NC Tony]

Sounds to me like it was a serious case of bullshit. If they finally decide after 8 years to tell you you're too negative then they were just looking for an excuse not to promote you.

[Ted the 'Flayer]

I suspect that the "low tolerance for bullshit" indicates that your boss might be on to something. There's nothing wrong with having a low tolerance for bullshit, but it will in fact make you unsuitable for promotion into retail. I've worked management jobs in retail, and let me tell you that the bullshit you deal with rises exponentially when you are the guy/gal in charge.

Don't think I don't have sympathy, because I'm the same way. I would be more suited working in a lab, but they are rare in this area. I'm having to leave the area I grew up in due to lack of good jobs. So I definitely feel you there, but I'm going to say if you have a low tolerance for bullshit you aren't promotable in retail.

[bitterbookaddict]

I've talked to a few people about this and some of them I know would be/are brutally honest with me about everything. No one seems to agree. Like everyone sometimes I bitch/vent about a crusty but that comes with the job. Isn't it better to vent about someone for 2 minutes and then keep going through your day like nothing bad happened rather than actually bottling it up and then explode on an unsuspecting customer?

My low tolerance for stupidity is not a negative thing either. I refuse to think that customers are idiots right off the bat. If they however prove themselves to be idiots I lead them by the hand like the five year olds they are.

I wish I could wait for the next supervisor but this is the owner so if she's not promoting me now she never will. She did actually say that I had all the qualifications and that I would be an excellent boss but I'm too negative. Which just sounds like bullshit. If I am so negative and if she has noticed this and if it is affecting my work why hasn't she brought it up before?

Thanks for the advice guys and sorry for the spelling mistakes. I spent the entire evening and most of the night thinking about this and deciding if I should post this or not and it was 4 in the morning when I sent it in and English isn't my native language, it's a 2nd language, actually it's technically 3rd but whatever.

[lamer]

When in doubt, ask. ” What do you mean by this? What can I do to improve.” I'm mouthy. Everyone knows it. I've worked on it really hard. It was simply, I couldn't accept being told I'm wrong when I'm not. Now, people can believe what they want, but don't expect me to do something illegal.

I also got accused of talking down to people. In reality what was happening is I was switching modes and speaking slowly and clearly (I'm dyslexic). So now, I warn people, ” please forgive me for speaking slowly, I want to make sure I'm explaining it clearly”.

By going to her and asking what you can do, it shows initiative. It's playing the game without playing the game.

And it works, I'm waiting for the official word I got promoted (my boss told me).