TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Obviously I've learned the hard way and my tactics have come from long
beatings tied to the post in Divorce court. Sad to say, I've become very
black and white and had and Apathy switch installed after my last wife and I
went our way (slightly tongue-in-cheek there).
In all seriousness, I learned the whole CYA business when I started my own
company and it was purchased (the first time) during the Internet
high-times. That and being in Utah...where some seem to take offense when
you ask them to "put it in writing".
Harsh lessons, learned young. I'm glad my parents grew me to be a dark,
cold, cynical being.
On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM, Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com> wrote:
> Collin Turner wrote:
>
>> Oh, it was great! I was getting paid very well. The job was a blast until
>> I
>> was kidnapped by a notorious manager who chewed through TW's like a
>> play-ground bully through bubblegum. Once she started in with the lines
>> "You
>> don't know what the h*ll you're doing and I have no confidence in you."
>>
>
> Colin--
>
> Maybe my immaturity is showing, but I can't imagine that this was a calm,
> rational conversation. It reminds me of managers who trot out horrendous
> performance reviews as some littler matter of fact--it is done so passively,
> but the naked aggression is unmistakeable. I picture some sort of
> browbeating, maybe calculated to unnerve you and make you do or say
> something that she could cast as a firing offense.
>
> There's no question in my mind that I'd rather swallow bugs than be talked
> to that way. Saying so, eyeball to eyeball, would give me and my inner
> serpent, all coiled and ready to strike, some satisfaction.
>
> But it would be a mistake to even acknowledge the insult. That manager
> apparently had demons of her own, and acknowledging them would probably
> encourage her to act out more. Ignoring them might shut them down, and that
> would be a good thing.
>
> Still, if your job at that point was untenable, it might have been
> interesting to turn the tables and fan the flames, and see how far she would
> go off her rocker. She sounds so nutty that you might witness really
> unacceptable stuff. How cool would that have been? But unwinding the
> confrontation in the workplace would certainly have meant trouble for you.
>
> Good to see you had your act together and that you documented the
> encounter(s) in multimedia. Nice work, I'd say your dues are up to date and
> paid in full.
>
> Regards and good luck,
>
>
> Ned Bedinger
> doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
