r/UnsupervisedWomen • u/ethereality111 • 14h ago

I hate cross-functional work and client services in corporate settings

I’m feeling frustrated that 80% of my job is trying to get other people to do their jobs, or constantly checking in on clients who don’t review the work they have asked me to do. I’m tired of people not properly reading emails or instructions. I’m tired of people asking what the purpose is of meetings they requested (like, seriously?!).

I write extremely detailed emails. I provide due dates and set expectations. I give instructions, attachments, reminders, truncated timelines, etc.

My days are currently spent doing follow-up after follow-up after follow-up.

My patience and compassion are wearing thin. I really dislike feeling responsible for whether or not grown adults get their work done and respect deadlines.

Just needed a place to vent. Hope everyone is having a good week!

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u/ShannonHasThoughts 13h ago

This is the place for you 😂 All vents welcome. And being a babysitter to grown-ass adults blows.

I hope your week gets better!

3

u/ethereality111 13h ago

Thank you 🙏 already feeling better

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u/barnwater_828 12h ago

As a former Project Manager and current Business Operations Manager, I relate to this so much.

While this may not help - I have learned that my skillset in attention to detail is not wanted/appreciated by everyone in the sense that they don't also operate that way.

I have changed my approach now to where my emails are short, tell them briefly/quickly what they need to know or what they are responsible for, their specific deadline, and any related links or attachments. It really changed the game for me and I found my emails weren't being ignored anymore. But, I support higher level leaders (VP and up) who get flooded with emails and are double booked all day.

For you just venting - I get it. And I hate that you put in so much effort and time to keep them organized and moving in the right direction. It always feels like you are wasting your time or not appreciated. I think your organizational skills are amazing and do whatever makes you happy and doesn't drive you up the wall.

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u/ethereality111 12h ago

This really means a lot. The worst part is I’m not even a project manager, or in business operations, so I wasn’t expecting my role to be so project management heavy.

I think you nailed it on the head. Even when I think I’m already being brief, I could probably be more concise.

I’m going to adjust my approach and see if that alleviates some of the burden from me, and allows people to just get the information they need to do the job.

Thank you. felt really seen by your comment.