This is funny and all, but eerily possible. The thing that angers me is that it is sort of normal that “the boss” can behave like an angry 6 year old without being told off, it happens overseas too but I have the impression it’s a very American thing.
There’s a couple of warning flags in that story - what’s with the “I spend my time making my boss’s life hell”? That doesn’t sound conducive to building a trusting relationship…
Then there’s how you work through a problem with someone, especially higher management. I’ve learned to not over share the details, because there’s this invisible force that commands them to give an opinion and butt in.
Just offer calm assurance that you know what it is going on and that you can fix it, and give them an estimate of how long it will take, but double it first. This will give you leeway in case of unexpected issues, and make you look good if you deliver faster.
One thing they’re good at though is getting you resources. If you need someone else to move, or something to get it fixed, be clear about that and they’ll start making phone calls and make it happen in no time.
I had this sort of thing happen all the time at my last job. Eventually everyone just accepted that I was the one to ask. Then it backfired and they started assuming that i was the one to ask about everything. Then it double backfired and they started inviting me to meetings as a SME (subject matter expert)… about basically everything whether I knew much about them or not.
This is funny and all, but eerily possible. The thing that angers me is that it is sort of normal that “the boss” can behave like an angry 6 year old without being told off, it happens overseas too but I have the impression it’s a very American thing.
True, but…
There’s a couple of warning flags in that story - what’s with the “I spend my time making my boss’s life hell”? That doesn’t sound conducive to building a trusting relationship…
Then there’s how you work through a problem with someone, especially higher management. I’ve learned to not over share the details, because there’s this invisible force that commands them to give an opinion and butt in.
Just offer calm assurance that you know what it is going on and that you can fix it, and give them an estimate of how long it will take, but double it first. This will give you leeway in case of unexpected issues, and make you look good if you deliver faster.
One thing they’re good at though is getting you resources. If you need someone else to move, or something to get it fixed, be clear about that and they’ll start making phone calls and make it happen in no time.
who are you, so wise in the ways of corporate?
That noob thinks doubling the time estimate is enough. He’s like a little kid yet.
I had this sort of thing happen all the time at my last job. Eventually everyone just accepted that I was the one to ask. Then it backfired and they started assuming that i was the one to ask about everything. Then it double backfired and they started inviting me to meetings as a SME (subject matter expert)… about basically everything whether I knew much about them or not.