Upstream, Downwind

Had myself a very WTF day today. While I do love myself some politics, the corporate politics at the office can, on occasion, be absurd.

Let me preface by saying I still love my job, nine years in. The company has treated me well, and my work is both appreciated and respected. Even with the recession I'm in no immediate danger of losing my job, if for no other reason than the list of people who actually understand what I do is fairly limited. I have a "backup" trained, but she really can't do what I do.

The people signing the checks get it. All of the higher ups know me, like me, and treat me well. I'm not management, middle or otherwise, but I've got control over my own personal domain and my immediate boss gives me a pretty free reign. I have someone to report to, but am fairly autonomous in my day-to-day stuff.

The project I'm working on has been in corporate limbo for weeks. It should have launched several weeks ago, and it's frustrating that it hasn't. Nothing like a pissing match to throw a wrench into the works.

I'm working on developing a marketing campaign. My responsibilities here are fairly straightforward: get all the specs from the various parties, and execute on them. I take what they want, and pull it off. This process becomes problematic when the folks upstairs don't agree on the scope of things. When the Boss (emphasis intended) and the Marketing Manager disagree on how things work, well executing is a little difficult.

Talk to one party and get one answer. Talk to the other guy, who just spoke to the first... different answer. Neat, huh? It gets more entertaining when the Marketing guy tells me, straight up, that the Boss isn't managing the project (read: ignore him) not five minutes after you walk out of said Boss' office.

I seriously wanted to smack him, especially considering that his solution to my particular problem isn't technically feasible (something I've had to explain to him on multiple occasions). Sure, the Boss' answer wasn't all inclusive either. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to drag me under the bus with you. At least he gave me a straight answer.

I just kinda threw up my hands. Tomorrow I've got to get my immediate boss involved, and let him wade through the cesspool. Welcome back from your vacation, sir.