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Re: What Would You Do with a Writer Who Can't Write?
Subject:Re: What Would You Do with a Writer Who Can't Write? From:Cassandra Greer <cassandra -at- greer -dot- de> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 06 May 2003 13:10:24 +0200
I'm kinda behind on this thread but after reading everyone's posts, but I
agree in this particular situation (the preferences of an overworked doc
manager) that it's not worth your time and energy to change the apparent
status quo. (Been there, tried it, got 'mobbed' out of the company). Do the
best work you can. If the doc manager doesn't like it and wants to
eventually get rid of you, well, brush up your resume and work on getting a
gig where your style will fit better (yeah I know, the market sucks all
over, nevertheless). Let Motel boy do what he wants. And don't try to cover
up for him. Is it a part of your job to edit his texts? If not, don't.
I would like to share a little story I got a while back from a good
freelance programmer friend. It always impressed me and helped me keep
perspective in situations where I would have loved to just throttle the
people thwarting the success of a project (IMHO). I find it more or less
applicable here too (use your imagination to make it fit).
He told me he has been in many situations where he has been led to a room
containing a large pile of sand. The potential PM tells him "Ok we would
like you to move this large pile of sand from this room into the next. We
have a nice fork for you to help you in doing your job." My friend, who is
quite pragmatic, immediately points out that if he were given a spoon, he
could do the job at least 20 times better and faster. Heck, if the company
got him a pail, the savings would be astronomical. However, the PM says "No
no, we've already got a fork. The job has to be done with a fork. It's the
way it has always been done and I like work done with a fork." My programmer
friend says "You're paying me by the hour right? Where's that fork?"
Just take that fork and go with it. After work go sit out in the
backyard/garden/park/on the balcony and enjoy spring.
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