By Marie G. McIntyre, Ph.D.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Q. I have screwed up a lot in my job for the past two years. Because of my mistakes and many complaints from others, my boss now has very little trust or confidence in my abilities. I really want to change his opinion
of me, but I don't know how. To make things worse, a senior manager, who works very closely with my boss, seems determined to kick me out of my job. What can I do? - Cleaning Up My Act
A. The good news is that perceptions can be changed. The bad news is that they seldom change quickly. After two years of poor performance, you will need more than a declaration of good intentions to alter your boss's opinion. But your willingness to accept personal responsibility for past screw-ups is definitely a big plus.
To begin the rehabilitation process, admit to your manager that you haven't done your best work for the past couple of years. Tell him that you regret those mistakes and want to be a better employee in the future.
After he recovers from the shock of such an honest admission, have your boss explain exactly what you must do to regain his trust. Then ask his advice about the hostile senior manager: "I've heard that Mr. Smith has a poor opinion of me, and I'd like to change that. What do you think would help?"
Once you and your boss agree on an action
plan, establish a regular schedule of meetings to discuss your progress. This will let you know whether your efforts are succeeding.
Because of your history, you will have no room for error in the future. You must consistently do the best job you can, work well with everyone, and never complain. If you keep this up, perceptions will begin to change. But don't expect an immediate shift. It will take at least six months of positive evidence to prove that your transformation is for real.
