Professional pride

My job is that of a "communications coordinator," which tells you absolutely nothing about what I actually do. I work for a voluntary professional organization, and almost every mass communication that goes out to our members, I have a hand in. I do the weekly newspaper, the website, brochures, ads, etc.

I'm not professionally trained in graphic design, but that's what I do a lot of. And I take professional pride in my work, which is, frankly, pretty good. It's my job to make us look professional and competent, and I do that by consistant, logical design; professional content; strict application of style guides; and tons and tons of proofreading.

So what do you do when you're aked to make changes that degrade the quality and professionalism of your work?

I had my review this week at work, and I was told, basically, that I should just do what I'm told (while being told in another part of the review that one of my best contributions to the company was being an innovator - sigh). I have no problems with making changes that make the product better, but what about when it makes it worse? Saying no makes me "inflexible and unapproachable."* But saying yes makes me a doormat. And I don't want my name associated with crappy work.

So how do you handle that? So far, I'm trying "In the spirit of being flexible and approachable, I disagree with that change because..." But I think my bosses are going to become quickly unamused with that particular phrasing.

The only thing that keeps me at this job is the incredibly cheap health insurance, and that's going to change early next year. Maybe that's a hint to look for something else...


*I have "a bad attitude." Why, yes, I do. Stupidity and incompetence makes me have it. Get rid of those two things and I won't have it anymore. Until then, though, learn to live with it.

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