Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be - hmmm, seems it never is. However, I did get a bit (understatement) upset this afternoon. I work in an residential environment where consumers come for a 30 day in-house treatment program for alcohol and/or drug addiction. We also have a long-term (up to 6 mo. transition) for men. I had a situation come up this afternoon, as is the usual case, where there was a decision to be made and I felt like it was for a "boss". So we have contacts with our bosses to get their input on situations that occur. I called mine and he said, you decide - you are in charge! I was upset. I decided to let the person do what I didn't think I should do, because he said "you are in charge". I was the highest ranking person there - but I didn't hire on to be "in charge" nor to take on that responsibility - nor do I want it. It pissed me off because he put it off on me. I think he should have heard me out. The other part of this is that w/out going into a lot of detail is he had allowed the person to do the same thing, but didn't catch that he hadn't met his responsibilities. I did catch it, now I would think that is why he put it back on me, because it seemed as if maybe I was saying that - but it wasn't my intention - I just didn't know how to handle it when he'd let him do it, it went against the rule book, and I had caught it. I let the consumer go ahead and do it. I don't think it was the right decision....buy hey, I was in charge.
I was frustrated, wanted to cry and felt as if I had been betrayed. I know he didn't want to be bothered on vacation, but that is the nature of his job (he is on call 24/7 365 and he gets paid for it). Also, I've never gotten that reaction from him before. I also didn't know I was in charge until he said it at that very moment. I never considered myself in charge, I thought I was supposed to call him with issues that arose. I called him earlier in the day with a medication issue, I wasn't told I was in charge! So frustrated and I don't know if I got my feelings hurt, overwhelmed, frustrated, scared or what! I just know it didn't feel good! I also can't seem to let go of it.....it keeps creeping into my head "you're in charge"!