Here’s the situation. I am an author of sports books as a hobby. Sometimes, my bosses might ask me what I am up to. I don’t normally discuss my books unless I am specifically asked.

On one occasion, an ex-boss asked me what I was writing. I told him. I explained why. He scoffed and said, in response to my explanation, in a patronizing tone, “So what?” I was offended and let him know that. The next day, he texted me something and I was still annoyed so I didn’t engage. A couple days later, when I was back to normal and reached out to him, he did not respond. He never responded again. It was as though he had disowned me for being upset the second day.

On another occasion, my then-boss asked me what I was writing. I said what the topic was and explained the reasoning. This boss also scoffed and said the same, “So what?” What can be learned from these experiences?

Essentially, I had two different encounters where I shared information about my writing projects with bosses, and both times I was met with dismissive responses. Here are some potential takeaways from these experiences:

Different Perspectives: People may have different interests and priorities, and what seems important or meaningful to you might not resonate with them. Your bosses might simply not appreciate the significance of your creative projects in the same way you do.

Communication Styles: The tone and manner in which you communicate your projects could affect how they are received. While you could be passionate about your work, your bosses may not care enough and thus perceive your explanation as insignificant or uninteresting, leading to their dismissive responses.

Managing Expectations: In professional settings, especially with superiors, it’s essential to manage expectations about the level of interest or engagement they may have in personal projects. Not everyone will be as enthusiastic or supportive as you might hope, and it’s important to be prepared for varied reactions.

On the other hand…

Resilience: Rejection or dismissal is a common experience for many writers and creatives. Learning to bounce back from such encounters, maintain confidence in your work, and continue pursuing your passion despite setbacks is a valuable skill.

Disrespectful Attitude: It’s evident that these ex-bosses lacked basic respect for their employee’s passion and hard work. Their dismissive and patronizing responses were not only unprofessional but also demeaning. It’s unacceptable for anyone, especially those in positions of authority, to belittle someone’s creative endeavors in such a manner.

Lack of Understanding: These encounters highlight a fundamental lack of understanding or empathy on the part of these ex-bosses. They failed to grasp the significance and value of the aforementioned writing projects, demonstrating narrow-mindedness and a limited perspective.

Unsupportive Environment: In a healthy work environment, colleagues and superiors should encourage and uplift each other’s interests and passions, even if they don’t personally share them. The fact that your bosses responded with indifference and condescension reflects a toxic and unsupportive workplace culture.

Asserting Boundaries: In such situations, an employee’s reaction to being disrespected is entirely justified. It’s essential to assert boundaries and stand up for yourself when faced with such dismissive attitudes. An employee has every right to express his/her feelings and expect to be treated with respect, especially by those in managerial positions.

Seeking Validation Elsewhere: While it’s disappointing to encounter such negativity from bosses, it’s also a reminder that not everyone will appreciate or understand your creative pursuits. However, don’t let their ignorance discourage you. Seek validation and support from communities, friends, and mentors who value your passion and understand the importance of your work.

Fuel for Success: Use these negative experiences as fuel to drive your determination and prove those who doubted you wrong. Let their dismissiveness be the catalyst for even greater achievements in your writing journey.

In conclusion, these encounters serve as a stark reminder of the importance of standing up for yourself, surrounding yourself with supportive individuals, and never allowing others’ ignorance to dampen your creative spirit. Keep writing, keep striving, and let your success speak louder than any dismissive words.