don't explain - TELL
Listed under Things I've Learned Since I Went To Work:
When speaking with Someone Important, someone with limited time or attention for a trivial matter (and most matters are trivial) don't explain - TELL. Important people don't have time to listen to a lot of details, especially if those details outline the emotional aspects of a situation. Important people aren't interested in the emotional aspects of a situation, they need you to cut to the chase, to give them the meat of the issue and then, perhaps, you should ask for their input.
Do not whine, do not complain, yet do not hesitate to speak of what ails you. The person to whom you are speaking does not have time for this and does not wish to be burdened with histrionics, even when mild.
Speak with some conviction, even if you may be wrong. It would be better, however, if you were not wrong.
Before you approach this person think for a moment. Is this really something you need to involve The Important Person in? Might your issue be better presented to someone else? Or do you just want face-time?
I think it is best to avoid bringing anyone else into conversation when an error is pointed out. Important People don't care that you didn't have the printout at nine in the morning because the woman who gives it to you each day was out sick. They only care that you don't have the printout.
Being the Assistant of an Important Person precludes one from certain activities such as: getting drunk in the office, wearing inappropriate clothing, being rude to co-workers (even if they are rude to you), petty gossip.
Please note: these are things I have learned and not, necessarily, things I have experienced first hand. I've not yet been drunk in the office.
When speaking with Someone Important, someone with limited time or attention for a trivial matter (and most matters are trivial) don't explain - TELL. Important people don't have time to listen to a lot of details, especially if those details outline the emotional aspects of a situation. Important people aren't interested in the emotional aspects of a situation, they need you to cut to the chase, to give them the meat of the issue and then, perhaps, you should ask for their input.
Do not whine, do not complain, yet do not hesitate to speak of what ails you. The person to whom you are speaking does not have time for this and does not wish to be burdened with histrionics, even when mild.
Speak with some conviction, even if you may be wrong. It would be better, however, if you were not wrong.
Before you approach this person think for a moment. Is this really something you need to involve The Important Person in? Might your issue be better presented to someone else? Or do you just want face-time?
I think it is best to avoid bringing anyone else into conversation when an error is pointed out. Important People don't care that you didn't have the printout at nine in the morning because the woman who gives it to you each day was out sick. They only care that you don't have the printout.
Being the Assistant of an Important Person precludes one from certain activities such as: getting drunk in the office, wearing inappropriate clothing, being rude to co-workers (even if they are rude to you), petty gossip.
Please note: these are things I have learned and not, necessarily, things I have experienced first hand. I've not yet been drunk in the office.
Comments
The things you've learned working should be posted in every office break room.
I picture you, gorgeous and funny and very good at your job, running after some extremely busy IP, filling in, smoothing out and all that drama. But in the end, YOU are the star!
Paola
PS I think you chose wisely not to get drunk in the office, yet.
;-)
I think it's called professionalism, or on second though, common sense. Not to minimize what you said, but who are the idiots who think those are good ideas? Or better yet, good career moves?
b
It has affected my writing though:
+ I'm much more terse
+ And lean toward outline
Glad you learned NOT to show all your cleavage at the office (hahaha).
I got drunk at work (once) when I was a waitress. I got the biggest tips that day!
jbhat