I don't handle criticism well.
Who does, really?
I got a steaming dumptruck full of it today from a contentious customer.
The kind that makes you cry in a bathroom stall. Multiple times*. The kind that makes your stomach hurt.
The kind that makes you wonder if you had an out-of-body experience during the training where you did things that they're claiming and you simply cannot remember.
Some of the critique is spot-on. I don't actually know anything about their business. I don't really know the software that well. That's the criticism I take as intended. And it's good that the customer is backing me up on something I've been telling my boss from day ONE.
It's the "you're ugly and your mother dresses you funny" stuff that unhinges me.
And coming off of vacation to get the word that you are deficient... it's not exactly the way to start off a week. Especially knowing that you'll have to go and do this thing which you have been told you suck at again. And then again and again.
The boss doesn't seem to mind/believe the character assassination accusations. He knows me. But they clearly do not. Nope.
Anyway, the good news is, I never have to go back again. And I never will.
The other good news is that even if these people don't like me, lots of other people do. In fact, 20 minutes after getting gut-punched with this horrible Allison-hating email, a real live customer told a conference call full of people, "We have this really good trainer on the phone so feel free to ask lots of questions - she really knows the software".
Different customer, different software - obviously. Same me.
And I like me. Which matters.
And I'll learn, and I'll cry a little more.
Then I'll move on.
ae
*Like at least twice while writing this.
Who does, really?
I got a steaming dumptruck full of it today from a contentious customer.
 |
| BEEP...BEEP...BEEP: You suck. |
The kind that makes you cry in a bathroom stall. Multiple times*. The kind that makes your stomach hurt.
The kind that makes you wonder if you had an out-of-body experience during the training where you did things that they're claiming and you simply cannot remember.
Some of the critique is spot-on. I don't actually know anything about their business. I don't really know the software that well. That's the criticism I take as intended. And it's good that the customer is backing me up on something I've been telling my boss from day ONE.
It's the "you're ugly and your mother dresses you funny" stuff that unhinges me.
And coming off of vacation to get the word that you are deficient... it's not exactly the way to start off a week. Especially knowing that you'll have to go and do this thing which you have been told you suck at again. And then again and again.
The boss doesn't seem to mind/believe the character assassination accusations. He knows me. But they clearly do not. Nope.
Anyway, the good news is, I never have to go back again. And I never will.
The other good news is that even if these people don't like me, lots of other people do. In fact, 20 minutes after getting gut-punched with this horrible Allison-hating email, a real live customer told a conference call full of people, "We have this really good trainer on the phone so feel free to ask lots of questions - she really knows the software".
Different customer, different software - obviously. Same me.
And I like me. Which matters.
 |
| Sorry, Hilary - I didn't buy the rights. |
And I'll learn, and I'll cry a little more.
Then I'll move on.
ae
*Like at least twice while writing this.
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