Stepping out of comfort zones-

[shootingstar]

I handled them by addressing why they were crying (feeling overwhelmed or upset about returning from maternity leave) and ignoring the emotional aspect. I told him to suck it up and handle them himself.

You're a good person, happyscientist. A real trooper and true: address the real stuff and not get sucked into the emotional stuff.

I've had some terrible things happen to me in certain work situations which I won't elaborate except for one of them:

Over 15 years ago in a job that I loved, I was ushered into the office of a senior manager. He told me I was bumped out of my job: our union gave recently at that time, bumping rights to employees whose job was made redundant. The employee could look around across the organization for an equivalent position and choose to "oust" the incumbent...in this case, it was me. It was such shocking news that I cried in front of the manager. The manager sensed this might happen. Then a few hrs. later, the whole agency, my employer, learned my case.

By sheer luck , was able to qualify (in terms of my education, similar work experience) and transfer to a newly created position in another division. What had happened me, was well-known across the union for (over 20 other) people who held the same type of jobs as I did.

THere have been since then 2 other shocking things that happened in my career which I won't get into but one of the situations, I ended up consulting a lawyer for their advice. But I did not cry: I was enraged and hurt. It was critical that dearie was around at home to talk and hold me.

I have to say this: After all this, the loss of my sister, makes ANY work related stuff incredibly pale. It doesn't make me tough, it's just important to get some priorities straight.

In a person's career, a person can shine in the sun, but it is ..in the end, only a short time in our life.