Thread: Need some advice on talking to the Boss

How do you tell your boss that you are not getting the opportunities you deserve. I think as a climber I've come a long way. It seems as though my boss is not giving me the opportunity I deserve. See this is the situation. This guy that worked for him on and off for about five years has been coming into work and climbing. Don't get me wrong this guy is a good climber, but I worked when this guy hung my boss out to dry. He thought he would be better off going into business for himself. I was happy for him, but the only climber my boss had was me and himself. So I had to learn fast. Which I was more than happy to do. So now that this guy has decided to come in a few days a week. My boss has totally forgotten about me as a climber. It's really beginning to bother me. I want to address the situation one on one with my boss, but him and this guy are pretty good friends. I feel I've been there through thick and thin. When this guy was ready to bail. I understand that this guy has a lot of experience and probably can do any tree, but don't I deserve a chance to prove my self and advance up the ladder. I really want to start doing more removals. I think it's time for me to start doing some of the BIG boys. As long as this guy is around my opportunity is getting smaller by the day. I love climbing and would never give it up, but is it time to think about going else where or what. I've always pictured being with my boss till he retires, but this is really tearing me apart. Please help me with this. Because it's really weighing me down.
Thanks,BB+

your boss owes you nothing but a pay check at the end of the week. it's obvious his main concern is getting the tree's down as quick as possible.

i'm sure you get one pay when climbing and a different rate when running ropes. you could either run ropes a few days a week and watch and learn. then climb the days the other guy is not there.

or move on to another tree company. are you ready to be a full time climber? can you handle 90% of what the other guy can? can you line up another job pretty quick?

you can try telling your boss how you feel but he has to worry about his pocket. how long have you been climbing? if the other guy is willing to teach a bit and is cool with you, it might be a good learning experiance. is it a money or pride issue?

Kf tree has some excellent points. You may want to explore your options before putting yourself on the line. Go interview with several other companies and see what else is out there. Can't hurt to look. Just try not to let this issue effect your performance and attitude at your present job.

Frogman,
I have followed your post with great interest. You have a lot to offer any tree service. I recommend you quit immediately, and apply at the nearest fast food place. Sure, you won't make any money, you'll hate the work, but you'll have shown the old boss!

March to the phone now, and quit.

If, later on, you're broke and hungery, don't call me.

I used to think the same way, at my first job, this is it I'm staying. I'm not saying go look for something else but get all the experience you can. You aren't going to break up that friendship they have, but they look down on you none the less. My advice is , do the job you love as good as you can, don't let others get you down, yes that is hard to do alot of times. You are not only getting tree experience but people experience as well. Go around and see what the others offer but do it privately. Don't jump at the first or second offer even if it is a little better that what you might have.

Don't forget that the trees are always easier to climb on the other side of the street. There isn't a job around that is 100% perfect. If you have a decent boss who compensates you at a fair rate, stick around. How much might you give up if you jump trucks?

Life is full of trade offs. Make yourself irreplaceable and you'll become invaluable. If you work the ground, be the best groundie in the world. Be a jump ahead.

You should also take the time to write down what you want to say and spend time practice what you're going to say. Don't lay down any ultimatums. Let him know that you want to do more, find out to make yourself useful.

I bought a tiny little book called "Life's Little Treasure Book: ON SUCCESS" by H. Jackson Browne. Full of short inspirational quotes.

Don't mistake motion for effeciency...HJB

Tom

No tricks, just ask him and try fighting a little for the opportunity.

Joe

Being the right-to-the-point guy I am, I'd just come right out and ask him.

I would use this opportunity, or lack thereof, to watch and learn from the other climber on the crew. Run the ropes for him and pay attention to the small details while he's in the tree. If he's that good of a climber then his being there should help, instead of hinder you. If this guy is doing the mean take downs then maybe you could hone your pruning skills and for now that could be your forte, giving you more experience in moving around in the tree and at the same time showing your boss your capabilities. Of course, I wouldnt recommend working in this setting (B climber) for the rest of your days, but for now use this guy to learn all you can.

Instead of going to the boss and asking for a chance, ask the other climber. If you show the interest in what he is doing, and ask if he will let you go up more, he may take an interest in helping you to develop. If you can get him to get excited about helping and teaching you, then you'll no doubt advance faster than you could on your own. It would also be better for the boss to hear from his buddy and your co-worker that you need to advance, than for him to hear it from you.

At our place, guys are paid by their skill and experience, not what duty they pull that day. On any given day, anyone may climb, and all may drag brush. Everybody works together, we get the job done and go tho the next.

Louie Hampton

I too have been in this situation.

If you read the answers that you have been given you will notice a common thread that they all touch on. That is: be a little impartial and try not to take the whole situation personally. (Easier said than done I know)

If you keep your eye on the big picture and not get bogged down with the day to day details, like not climbing everyday, you will be able to sense the exact point when or if your job sucks. And when it doesnt.

My experiance is if you do this your choices will be clear to you.
Frans

Mike, I think I'll pass on your advice. Well things went well and I even got a raise. I'll be air born alot now. Thanks to all,BB

good for you froggy.....sometimes we get all worked up over "that" conversation, thinking about the what if's. but it all works out in the end.

Congrats!!

You had "that" conversation. More importantly you opened a door. Now that the door is open, keep the communication going so next time, it is just "a" conversation and not "that" conversation.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kf_tree

your boss owes you nothing but a pay check at the end of the week. it's obvious his main concern is getting the tree's down as quick as possible.


Welcome to the world of feudal thinking and surf's kissing the boss's hem.

Here's the way the economics work. You do the job that he gets paid for and he keeps his choice of the share, and then gives you a paycheck. He owes you for getting the money in the first place. He owes you a paycheck later.

Unless it is that people just give him money without you needing to do any work.

Is that perspective too unrepublican?

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Bob Wulkowicz