Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
My view has always been that anyone I work for (be I staff or freelance) are paying for my expertise. If I think the 'boss' is wrong I'll give my professional opinion as to why, suggest a better alternative etc. As Bill (I think!) said, a little knowledge can be wonderful. After that, the choice is up to them and there are several alternatives: 1 Do what they want - often the case as, more often than not, the impact isn't life shattering (wrong choice of Help, font, tools etc!). Always wise to invoke the CYA principle here - save emails etc. 2 Try and go round them. If you feel it is really important and they don't listen to your advice then you can try and escalate and solicit support from their boss, marketing, etc depending on the situation. If it's that important to you then there may be moral/financial/etc implications so definitely invoke the CYA principle. 3 If (2) gets you nowhere, revert to (1) and get that CV dusted. Damien Braniff Sr. Technical Writer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Waterfront Plaza 8, Lagan Bank Road Belfast, N. Ireland BT1 3LR Tel: +44 (0) 28.9072.3124 Fax: +44 (0) 28.9072.3324 ASG | www.asg.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
I view it the same way. A yes-person is probably cheaper and easier, as long as the boss is infallible. If we all flatter each other, truth will die, and then the boss will be left saying But why didn't anyone tell me this was a terrible idea? Of course, if the boss doesn't admit criticism, the name of the game is CYA. Document what you suggested and how it was rebuffed. Then hit careerbuilder.com, because a fan nearby may soon become filthy. --- Damien Braniff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My view has always been that anyone I work for (be I staff or freelance) are paying for my expertise. If I think the 'boss' is wrong I'll give my professional opinion as to why, suggest a better alternative etc. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Yes but you made a decision. Bad ideas are still good as long as you learn from them and don't make that mistake again. ;-) I was more commenting that you didn't seem to necessarily seek consensus, but made a decision and drove it through. Trying to reach consensus is often like wearing lead sneakers in a marathon. On 6/13/07, Gene Kim-Eng [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, I'd *like* to think that every decision I've ever made has reflected the best idea prevails, but I can point to at least a few occaisions where my choices turned out to be bad ideas. I expect that people who have worked for me would probably point to more of these than I would. -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] So is the boss always right?
Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day! ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
No comment. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Seriously, the boss is within their rights to direct the focus of my work. And they can change that focus on a whim. Still within their rights. I am always within my rights to grin bear it or seek another venue. Dori Green __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Sue Heim wrote: Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin I used to think it was just my bad luck that my boss was never right. But now I work for myself and it's still true. So I'm not sure I know how to answer your question. Dick http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Is that it. Two choices: 1) Grin and bear it. 2) Seek another venue. Is there not at least one more? Push back. Cheers. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dori Green Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:24 PM To: TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right? No comment. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! Seriously, the boss is within their rights to direct the focus of my work. And they can change that focus on a whim. Still within their rights. I am always within my rights to grin bear it or seek another venue. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Your boss, like your customer, is not always right, but is always boss. I have always encouraged people working for me to challenge my thinking as I approach a decision, but once the decision is I expect a good faith effort to implement it. On the other side of this, I have left more than one position because I found myself in unresolvable diagreement with a boss over something I believed was *that* important. Gene Kim-Eng - Original Message - From: Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day! __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Nope, the boss is not always right. I always try to have a discussion with the boss where I explain my position, working hard to suppress my naturally contentious self. However, once I've made my pitch, it's still not my call... it's the boss's call. Like others have said, pick your battles. Very few are worth going to the mat over. A couple may be and then you need to make sure you've got options when you find yourself blinking and scratching on the sidewalk, wondering what happened. Mike -- Mike StarrWriteStarr Information Services Technical Writer - Online Help Developer -Website developer Graphic Designer-Desktop Publisher - MS Office Expert Phone: (262) 694-1028 - Tollfree: (877) 892-1028 - Fax:(262) 697-6334 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Web: http://www.writestarr.com - Original Message - From: Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: TCP@techcommpros.com Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:12 AM Subject: [TCP] So is the boss always right? Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day! ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
I used to think it was just my bad luck that my boss was never right. But now I work for myself and it's still true. So I'm not sure I know how to answer your question. Doesn't matter, as no matter what you say it'd be wrong anyway. ;-) -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Is that it. Two choices: 1) Grin and bear it. 2) Seek another venue. Is there not at least one more? Push back. Push back denotes opposition. I find it's best to collaborate. This is where social engineering skills pay off folks. Seriously! Call it collaboration, effective interpersonal communication, or what have you, but it's manipulation through and through. And it's effective. And it's not always a negative thing. Sometimes you have to help others to help you, and if it's all done in the best interest of all parties, there's no harm in that approach at all! -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Bill Swallow wrote: Push back denotes opposition. I find it's best to collaborate. This is where social engineering skills pay off folks. Seriously! Call it collaboration, effective interpersonal communication, or what have you, but it's manipulation through and through. And it's effective. -- I feel a book reference coming on! There's a book by John C. Maxwell called The 360-Degree Leader. It talks about how to influence people in all directions from you, above and below. I think you'll find some stuff related to Bill's point. http://www.amazon.com/360-Degree-Leader-Workbook-Organization/dp/0785260 951/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-7625618-4749454?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1181756333s r=8-2 Or http://tinyurl.com/2hro48 I'm a big fan of John Maxwell. He's a good speaker and very much on the ball when it comes to teaching you how to better yourself. You can find more here, including a free newsletter: http://www.maximumimpact.com/ . Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Depends on just how wrong the boss really is. g Given the directive to rearrange the company intranet so that all public documents from all departments can be accessed from the same page, I advised my boss against it (bucks corporate culture, doomed to failure), but when he insisted, I did it anyway. It eventually failed and I got to do it my way. Given the directive to copy another company's manual verbatim, I advised against it, refused to do it, dug my heels in, and eventually got fired over it. Every boss and every circumstance is different, but it sure is nice when you get the rare boss that appreciates your expertise and relies on you to do things the way they ought to be done. -Sue Gallagher On 6/13/07, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day! ...sue __ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Never read his stuff. I've read some Lencioni but he doesn't talk to this topic. I'll have to check it out. Thanks! On 6/13/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I feel a book reference coming on! There's a book by John C. Maxwell called The 360-Degree Leader. It talks about how to influence people in all directions from you, above and below. I think you'll find some stuff related to Bill's point. http://www.amazon.com/360-Degree-Leader-Workbook-Organization/dp/0785260 951/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-7625618-4749454?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1181756333s r=8-2 Or http://tinyurl.com/2hro48 I'm a big fan of John Maxwell. He's a good speaker and very much on the ball when it comes to teaching you how to better yourself. You can find more here, including a free newsletter: http://www.maximumimpact.com/ . -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] So is the boss always right?
Well, I'd *like* to think that every decision I've ever made has reflected the best idea prevails, but I can point to at least a few occaisions where my choices turned out to be bad ideas. I expect that people who have worked for me would probably point to more of these than I would. Gene Kim-Eng - Original Message - From: Bill Swallow [EMAIL PROTECTED] That's the best approach. Everyone gets a chance to be heard, and in the end the best ideas prevail. Constructive conflict is key. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
