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Nick - Pie Man
Joined: 04 Aug 2010
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| Post subject: How do you handle working for an idiot? |  |
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An interesting situation has been developing at my place of work over the last few months, and I'm not sure how to handle it.
I'm sure you've all been in the situation where you are working for someone who maybe isn't the brightest person in the world. How do you deal with it?
Basically my decisions are being overridden by my boss. It goes without saying that we don't see eye to eye. I can see that she doesn't understand what I'm trying to accomplish but I'm not sure what to do about it. Times like this I wish I had a larger set of people skills.
The way I figure it, we all feel smarter than our bosses from time to time and the associated galling feeling when they are wrong and you are right but they do what they want anyway because they're the boss.
What's a professional way to handle this situation? |
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Nick - Pie Man
Joined: 04 Aug 2010
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| Someone's going to come in and say 'ask people how they handle working for you'. **** you. |
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Pies4shaw 
pies4shaw
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
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| Become self-employed. That way, the only way you can have an idiot for a boss is if you're not doing things right yourself. |
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David 
I dare you to try
Joined: 27 Jul 2003
Location: Andromeda
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The way I figure it, they have their job and you have yours. If you can see that she is clearly doing something wrong, you can gently and respectfully ask a question or provide a suggestion. If she takes it up, the company wins and their opinion of you as an employee should rise accordingly. If she shuts you down, her loss. At the end of the day, it's not your business so there's not much you can do.
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All watched over by machines of loving grace |
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AN_Inkling
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
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Send a detailed, anonymous letter to their boss.
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Well done boys! |
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Nick - Pie Man
Joined: 04 Aug 2010
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The person in question is the daughter of the owner of the business. That's why she's got a job she can't do - that's why I have to suck it up.
My problem is that I give too many (mates with) about a business that isn't mine. |
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3.14159 
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
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| It's a question better directed at the Federal Public Service. |
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stui magpie 
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Joined: 03 May 2005
Location: In flagrante delicto
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| Post subject: Re: How do you handle working for an idiot? | |
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| Nick - Pie Man wrote: | An interesting situation has been developing at my place of work over the last few months, and I'm not sure how to handle it.
I'm sure you've all been in the situation where you are working for someone who maybe isn't the brightest person in the world. How do you deal with it?
Basically my decisions are being overridden by my boss. It goes without saying that we don't see eye to eye. I can see that she doesn't understand what I'm trying to accomplish but I'm not sure what to do about it. Times like this I wish I had a larger set of people skills.
The way I figure it, we all feel smarter than our bosses from time to time and the associated galling feeling when they are wrong and you are right but they do what they want anyway because they're the boss.
What's a professional way to handle this situation? |
I take it this idiot is also a micro manager.
I'd start with trying to make it about you. Ask to meet with her and explain how you do your best work. eg, I've found that I work best when I'm given a goal of what the outcome is I'm expected to deliver, the timeframe, any considerations I need to take into account and then I'm left to do the task. When I have others looking over my shoulder or wanting to change bits and pieces on the way, my output is no where near as good. Now I appreciate that your the boss, but if you want the best outcome for the business we need to work together in a way that I can produce the best work for you. If you think I'm not getting the picture up front, I'm happy to work with you to make sure we have a mutual understanding.
Basically blow sunshine up their arse while asking them to butt the **** out of it and let you do your work.
If that fails, do the job the way you've been asked to, suck it up and look for another job.
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Every dead body on Mt Everest was once a highly motivated person, so maybe just calm the **** down. |
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What'sinaname
Joined: 29 May 2010
Location: Living rent free
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the best way to work with an idiot is to be the idiot…then you only have to deal with normal people
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Fighting against the objectification of woman. |
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Mountains Magpie
Joined: 01 Mar 2005
Location: Somewhere between now and then
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I work for myself. Most days I manage, the others I cope.........
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Spiral progress, unstoppable,
exhausted sources replaced by perversion |
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stui magpie
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Joined: 03 May 2005
Location: In flagrante delicto
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The performance appraisals for my direct reports is coming up soon. I might send them this question as a hypothetical and see what they say.
_________________
Every dead body on Mt Everest was once a highly motivated person, so maybe just calm the **** down. |
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swoop42 
Whatcha gonna do when he comes for you?
Joined: 02 Aug 2008
Location: The 18
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I didn't realise NPM was a Liberal.
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He's mad. He's bad. He's MaynHARD! |
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stui magpie
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Joined: 03 May 2005
Location: In flagrante delicto
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| swoop42 wrote: | | I didn't realise NPM was a Liberal. |
There's a thought on how to answer NPM's question, survey everyone who worked for Krudd.
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Every dead body on Mt Everest was once a highly motivated person, so maybe just calm the **** down. |
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Tannin 
Can't remember
Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Location: Huon Valley Tasmania
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| Pies4shaw wrote: | | Become self-employed. |
I am self-employed. And guess what - my boss is an idiot.
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�Let's eat Grandma.� Commas save lives! |
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Pies4shaw
pies4shaw
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
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^^^
I can cope with mine being an idiot. What really gets me is how lazy he is - I never noticed that when I was taking other people's money.... |
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