Curmudgeon Meets Support Staff

One day the Curmudgeon approached Suzy and asked, "How can I get a template for this document I'm putting together?"
"You ask the editorial team," replied Suzy.
"Okay," said the Curmudgeon.  "So I'd ask Erica?" Erica was their assigned Editor.
"Yes," replied Suzy patiently.
"Where does Erin sit?" asked Curmudgeon.  Suzy blinked.  Curmudgeon had worked there longer than Suzy.  "Because I don't know where the editors sit."
"Oh you don't?" Suzy was quite surprised.
"Not anymore."
Suzy suppressed a smile, and escorted Curmudgeon.  Upon arriving at Erica's desk, she said, "Erica, Curmudgeon has a question."
"Hi Erica," said the Curmudgeon with a grin.  Suzy was grinning herself.

The Unknown

Some years ago, Suzy got into an accident that left her with a condition that causes her to see physical therapists now.  Nosy was new to the team, so he didn't know anything about Suzy's needs.  Nosy, however, did notice some impacts of the visits.
Event 1 Nosy sees Suzy in sneakers rather than heels.  During a meeting, he says "nice shoes" to Suzy.  Sighing, Suzy eyeballs another team member's sneakers and looks at Nosy.  She says, "I had physical therapy this morning.  "OH" says Nosy.
Event 2 Suzy misses a meeting because physical therapy kept her late.  Nosy asked, "where were you?  I noticed you weren't in the meeting?"  Suzy replies patiently, "I was in physical therapy."  "OH" replies Nosy.
Event 3, Suzy wears a dress because its easy to change into after therapy.  Nosy asked, "Nice dress ... got an interview later?"  Sighing, Suzy says, "I had physical therapy."  Nosy pauses and asked, "why haven't you told Joe Leader?"
"I did," replied Suzy.  "And I remind him several times a week about it too."
"Oh," replied Nosy.  "He never said anything when you missed meeting."
"He doesn't have to," replied Suzy, "and he's respecting my privacy."  Her eyes drilled holes in the window above Nosy's head.
"OH"

Suzy Feels Alone

One week Joe Leader left abruptly for a family emergency.  Suzy was in charge of filling in for Joe, although there was no official hand-off of the work.  Suzy had to guess at the best way to achieve the work with the knowledge that she had.  Suzy spent a lot of time retrieving what she needed, calling Joe, and working with the customer to arrange for a collaborative effort to work around Joe's absence.
Throughout the week, Suzy received complaints from Queen Bee's team about all the little things Suzy did.  Suzy felt alone, and her morale sank.  She took a sick day, and on that day, Joe Leader called her cell phone.  Suzy reported how things had gone to Joe.  Joe was satisfied with Suzy's work.  Joe also understood that Suzy felt alone, and secretly told her he'd be back the following Monday.
Suzy was relieved that she wouldn't be complained to anymore!

Who's Top Dog?

Queen Bee and a new Lead Engineer were clashing.  Queen Bee thought that with her experience in the project, she should be top "dog.  Lead Engineer, on the other hand, was in charge of all the developments and changes to the project, and she liaised with the customer.  Lead Engineer didn't have team following, and Queen Bee didn't really know the customer's expectations.  The two bickered constantly.  Neither had the full command needed to be top dog.
Frustrated, Suzy went to Joe Leader.  "The roles and responsibilities need to be clarified," she said.  "Either you do that, or we have a trust retreat again."  She knew Joe Leader thought retreats were goofy.
"What's going on?" he asked. 
"Queen Bee is arguing with Lead Engineer" she said, "and vice versa.  They won't listen to each other, they both think they should be leading the team through the release."
Joe Leader considered this.  "We'll have a team meeting," he said.  "I'll work it out."
In the next team meeting, Joe Leader explained that in the lack of team leadership, collaboration was required, or the project would fail.  Aided by examples from Suzy, he explained how arguing hurts the whole team.