Tony the intern

I remember, one summer, I was one of two interns reporting into a graduate.

Everything was going well for me.

The work was easy and the days flew by.

Then one day my graduate manager pulled me aside and asked me:

Can you make sure the reports are done by Friday?

But that’s Tony’s job.

Yeah

So, am I taking over the reports?

No.

Ok, am I now becoming Tony’s manager?

No.

So, you want me to become responsible for a task that is not mine?

I suppose if you put it like that.

…

I remember at the time thinking this was so weird.

But looking back I think my graduate manager was just useless at giving critical feedback and hoped that I would secretly manage Tony for him.