New Manager
As I have posted on my blog a couple of times recently, I have a new manager.
Its a strange set up in a way because she doesn't really have much to do with me. She heads up a different [technical] department and doesn't really have much to do with ours on a day-to-day basis.
That's good from my perspective of course! The more I am left to my own devices and allowed to get on with it the more I like it.
I have tried to be conscious of her however and her modus operanti and it is quite interesting observing her.
She's an HR professional by training and so is obviously very "people orientated". She has had to deal with a couple of contentious issues that I am aware of to date and she has done so quite impressively.
What I have noticed is that she approaches situations with a view to try and resolve them constructively. She is not authoritative or confrontational, but tries to take a conciliatory approach in order to resolve things amicably. She also seems to make a conscious effort to compliment people which I have especially noticed.
This is all good from my perspective of course. I seem to be warming to her constructive, positive outlook and it is bringing out the best in me in the sense of my demeanour and attitiude towards her!
I suspect that, in part, this is because her style is not a threat from the position of having Asperger. In other words, her management style is one that fits with my personality.
Activated New Manager
Things have changed somewhat at work. We are in the middle of being taken over by a US outfit and there is obviously change pending.
Consequently, my "boss" is becoming more proactive. I had a meeting with her earlier this week. It was a kind of "touch base" and I instigated it as I wanted to clarify a few minor things.
It was full of "what-ifs". I tried to prompt her about future direction (which, to be fair, she couldn't say much about at the moment because of the impending takeover), but she rather put the ball back in my court and asked what I wanted to do.
I am going to have to give this some careful thought. There is politics everywhere at the moment and I am not sure where it is all leading. Either way it WILL impact on me in some way.
I have to say that I am also feeling uncomfortable dealing with an HR person. Experience has taught me that they keep a tight agenda. Their interest is solely staying on the straight and narrow with regard to legislation, and the wider corporate picture etc and they don't normally offer any practical, supportive advice.
I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had any specific dealings with HR in this type of situation; particularly if they have disclosed their Asperger and brought the disability factor into the equation.