Charlie At Work

By Rachel

Faithful readers of this blog have observed the highs and lows of Charlie’s work here in Mongolia. From the optimistic days at the newspaper to the pre-dawn waits in the cold for a ride, this has been a rough trip for Charlie. Faithful followers of Charlie in Real Life know that work is important to him. Really important. Perhaps this is a character trait that the Waldorf School can take credit for, or Donna and Mike, or Hawthorne Valley, but whatever the source, it is now a Fact. Which makes Mongolia troublesome.

We were warned before we came that work is different here. Time is different. Obligations are different. Productivity is different. Different does not really do it justice, and it is very hard not to be judgmental. How can it not be better to show up at the place that pays you? Or be able to list a few accomplishments at the end of the day? Or have a sense of the future for your organization? Or show up with a proactive attitude? Questions like these have been challenges for both of us, but especially for Charlie because he came here with some expectation of working.

It is easy to blame the workers for the lack of creativity and ownership, and it is frustrating to work with people who take their jobs that way. (It is also frustrating to do business at places where employees take this attitude.)

But then K, the current boss, entered our lives. As Charlie is fond of saying, he is a bad man. I have never seen someone torment Charlie so. K would give Charlie exciting work that he would put time and enthusiasm into. Then K would put the kibosh on it. Or promise to take Charlie to Singapore to the Asian Air Show, only to later say to that attending is “your problem,” arranging his face as if as if Charlie were a piece of garbage. Or ask for information and then never have time to see it. And of course, leave Charlie in the early morning dark and cold and then blame his cell phone battery. This man promised and then took away what is most important to Charlie, meaningful work and respect for a job well done.

A friend here in UB advised Charlie that he should “care less” in order to make it through this year without going crazy. Sage advice.

So now Charlie takes the bus to work, sets his own schedule and avoids K completely. He teaches his English classes, and is a “freelance do-gooder” offering radio help, English help and any other kind of help that comes up. He has experienced the most horrendous boss ever, and lived to tell the tale. But, given K, it is easier to understand the lack of initiative, care, and thought that some people give to their work here. K may be an extreme example, but he is by no means an anomaly.

On the good and optimistic days we think that experiences like this help us be more reasonable, understanding and generous with others. More flexible and creative when looking at problems. More grateful and appreciative of our workplaces at home. But on the bad days, they just make us feel tired and small. Caring less is only a temporary solution.