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12682. concerned - 12/14/2004 5:56:56 AM Hi, everybody.
I'd like to ask for some assistance. I have need of a turn of phrase not too dangerous to use on one of my managers that would basically gently clue him in that he has made a horrible error in judgment about something technical; indeed, that he's got things completely backwards about the matter, with a suggestion that he doesn't know WTF he is talking about about being potentially acceptable.
But it has to be polite and respectful.
Any ideas?
I'm serious about possibly using such a phrase, if someone can think of something appropriate. Something that would be beyond the full comprehension of somebody with mediocre intelligence would be preferred. 12683. wonkers2 - 12/14/2004 6:07:33 AM How about: "Don't you think it might be a good idea to take another look at this one? or "Why don't we run that one by the "beaver patrol?" or "Are you really sure about that? Because it doesn't seem quite right to me." or "I owe it to you to give you my unvarnished opinion that you've got that one wrong--it just won't work that way." or "I'll have Joe double check that one." or "Your're the boss, but your're dead wrong on this one." or "You really fucked this one up!"
or "Why don't we double check this one. If it doesn't work, we'll be up shit crick!" 12684. concerned - 12/14/2004 6:12:44 AM Thanks, wonkers, you have some good suggestions there. However, I should mention that the technical matter at hand is not a new design (fortunately) but this guy's ability to evaluate past electrical engineering work by other individuals. He's completely out of his league on the matter, but he's still spouting off. Can't afford to alienate him (much), though. 12685. concerned - 12/14/2004 6:18:48 AM I particularly like that 'You might want to take another look at that this' line, btw. 12686. concerned - 12/14/2004 6:19:23 AM oops, leave out 'this' in my last. 12687. Macnas - 12/14/2004 10:42:24 AM I don't know con, does it directly affect you if this fellow is wrong? If not then let him off, he sounds like a bit of a blowhole and maybe he would not take kindly to the obvious being pointed out to him, no matter how diplomatically you went about it.
If it were me, and I had to let him/her know, I'd try and do so indirectly. That is, either through somebody else, preferably a peer of your boss. But only if it was important.
Just because your guy is making a bit of a fool of himself doesn't mean you have to save him from himself. If the work done in the past is good, it'll stand up for itself in spite of what your boss is saying. 12688. neato - 12/14/2004 1:18:13 PM I agree with Macnas - if it doesn't matter that the manager is wrong about something - just let it go. I get quite a bit of this in my work, and it's better to leave it. Everyone knows the manager is foolish/lacks judgement, so there isn't any need to point it out to him/her.
But if it does matter, then I say something like "It's my understanding that ..." or "I'm a bit concerned about...". I would probably say it directly, though, rather than through someone else. 12689. neato - 12/14/2004 1:30:02 PM Managers know that "It's my understanding that ..." is a polite way of saying "you are totally wrong about blah, and this is what it's all about..."
And "I am a bit concerned" means "I am really really worried". 12690. Macnas - 12/14/2004 1:30:29 PM That's because you're a good person neato, not an underhand backstabber like me. 12691. neato - 12/14/2004 1:47:55 PM Macnas, I usually dislike/disagree with them openly. Sometimes I do the sly/political Thing. I don't think they suspect at all, believing me to be a good up front person ... 12692. Macnas - 12/14/2004 1:54:59 PM I don't believe it for a second neato 12693. Magoseph - 12/14/2004 2:00:21 PM I definitely agree with Mac and Neato because too many times I have paid a stiff price for being too upfront about others' mistakes.
12694. alistairconnor - 12/14/2004 2:18:49 PM I have no advice on the matter. My usual policy is : blurt it out, and get it in the neck.
Which I don't specially recommend. 12695. judithathome - 12/14/2004 5:13:45 PM Good luck with whatever you decide to do, Con. 12696. Macnas - 12/14/2004 6:43:37 PM Another hour and I'm away home until next year, ha ha! 12697. alistairconnor - 12/14/2004 7:01:03 PM oh well... have an excellent season!
I'll miss you Mac.
I'm taking a week between christmas and the new year. 12698. judithathome - 12/14/2004 7:01:08 PM Have happy holidays, Macnas! 12699. Magoseph - 12/14/2004 7:04:45 PM Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année, Mac! 12700. Macnas - 12/14/2004 7:06:16 PM I'll miss you all, maybe even so much I may pop in over the holidays.
I doubt it though!
You all take care, have a splendid Christmas and have lashings of ginger beer. I'll talk with ye again next year! 12701. Ms. No - 12/14/2004 7:19:15 PM Have a wonderful holiday, Mac!
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