Pamela,  This is excellent advice for any job in any field.  With your
permission, I plan to make a copy of this to use in training for new
employees.  Your compilation of tips is so much more succinct than books,
seminars etc.

Sarah Andrews
Woodrow Wilson House
(202)387-4062 ext 12
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Sezgin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 7:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: advice for politics on the job


Dear Lisa Mason,

The political hoopla is all too often a reality we have to live with,
especially in large institutions.

Here's my 2 cents, for what it's worth:

(a)  prioritize your responsibilities -- do this by taking your job
description and comparing your new observations on the job, and write down
what needs to be done first.  And yes, do consider the collection,
interpretation, and the pressing needs of the facility based on your museum
experience/training.

(b) after you write the list and it sits for a day or two (so you can make a
few changes), go to your supervisor:          Discuss the list with your
supervisor, get
his/her feedback, incorporate some of his/her ideas,  and then, have your
supervisor sign his/her approval on the list and date it.  Keep the list in
a
safe place with a
back-up copy at home.

(c) be sure to make reasonable deadlines for completing your goals and
objectives on the list.

(d) because your job sounds like more job than anyone can reasonably do
(aren't all museum jobs like this!), limit your goals and objectives to a
few
doable and most
pressing concerns so that you can be successful and you are not held
accountable for fixing everything this year!

(e) wherever possible, incorporate your interests and expertise into the
list
so that
your job is one you will enjoy doing and it will utilize your best skills

(f)  don't be too specific but don't be too vague, either.  Just make a good
outline
of a few goals and how you intend to accomplish them


Such a list/contract with your supervisor will help you dodge potential
problems.
It makes explicit what your role at the job is.

This may sound like a tedious administrative exercise to some listers, but
believe me, I worked as director of a public schools museum and such a list
insulated me
from lots of political fallout.    I'd make a new list every year.   The
list
also helps you
when it is time for your evaluation.

Here are some other rules for the political scene:

            --   try to just do your job and work around the politics (don't
add
                to the situation  by gossiping or getting caught up in it)
            --   be superficial, polite and very professional at all times
                (don't confide your deepest, dark secrets to anyone on the
job)
            --   be cheerful, as much as you can
            --   focus on what is good about the job (yes, there is
something)
            --   when bad things happen on the job, don't take it personally
            --   stay active in professional networks outside the job (e.g.,
the
                state museum association)
            --   have a social life outside the job
            --   do the work, work hard, but don't work all the time (yes,
that's a
                hard one not to do, but you burn out if you don't have a
nonmuseum
                life)
            --    play by the rules, be ethical -- don't compromise your
values and
                professional standards -- you'll just have to educate those
who don't
                understand
            --    don't vent to people on the job (have a trustworthy friend
outside work                and  your town -- if it is a small town -- with
whom  you can share
                and discuss your job problems when necessary)
            --    have fun, do some exercise -- life is too short not to
have
fun!
            --    choose your battles -- sometimes conflict is a good thing,
            sometimes you have to make a stand, but you cannot do this
                    a lot
            --    observe without comment these political situations --
watching
                and listening can help you formulate better strategies for
                resolving things or when that is not possible, for surviving
on the job
            --    don't over-react;  when a situaiton happens that you don't
like,
                fact find first and  see where you can operate effectively.

Good luck!

pamela sezgin
Georgia Mountains History Museum

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).