Search Results: play it cool and just be myself

I work in a corporate nonprofit environment as a Case Manager. The previous Case Manager before me was promoted to be the Director of Activities. This man, with his flaming red hair, replaces the previous Director who was recently promoted to be Program Manager.

The Program Manager is a nice brunette woman. As a Case Manager I report directly to her. The Director of Activities is a superior and higher paying position than mine and he too reports to the Program Manager.

All of us are in our 30s. The Program Manager is a woman who is probably around 37 years old, the Director is a man who is probably around 35 years old. I am 31 years old. The other two Case Managers are in their 50s. Not only am I young for my position in the company, but I am the only Multi-Racial person compared to everyone else who is white.

I have been on the job for only about 1.5 months. Already, I have been getting rave compliments for my work from the Program Manager, the staff who report to me on clients, and from the Director of Activities who previously had my position.

The Director of Activities was strange today. For the first time he sat down offered me support if I needed it but said he trusted me if I said I didn't. (Some of the staff might have told the Program Manager that he wasn't as friendly to work with as me). Anyways, he all of a sudden starts asking me where I see myself in 5 years. He rambles about sometimes he doesn't like coming in for work. Says he misses his old position. Then says, "But I love what I do though.." Then he suggests he might move out west to be in the mountains. I tell him that sounds cool. Then out of nowhere He says, "What about you? Do you see yourself as running the department someday?" I play coy and say that I am not sure. I ask him, "What about you?" He says, he doesn't know either. I talk about him moving then he backtracks and says, "Well... I like living here. i have friends. I like my pension..."

What's his dealio?