RE: Coworker who won't take no...

["Blount, Patricia A" <Patricia -dot- Blount -at- ca -dot- com>]

Good morning, all...

Some weeks back, I'd reached out to the List for help in dealing with a
socially inept developer who is the subject matter expert on one of my
writing projects. This is an individual who kept pressing me to bring my
sons to his favorite hang-out, a local role-playing game store, pressing
me to the point where I began questioning (and worrying about) his
motive.

A few of you have asked me off-list for an update. At long last, I
FINALLY mustered enough courage to tell him I've heard enough. It
started on Monday...

My oldest son had suffered a concussion during a hockey game Sunday, so
I missed a meeting on Monday. The next day, he came by to find out what
happened and used the violence so prevalent in that sport to press the
case yet again for the store, citing its civilized and gentle
environment.

Picture it...

As the words left his mouth, I frowned. Slowly stood up (I'm taller than
he is) with my hands in a STOP gesture. Cut him off with carefully
chosen words: "<Name>, that subject is closed. I can't make this any
clearer. My sons have no interest in it. I have no interest in it. I'm
not discussing it again. Now, unless you have any project work to
discuss, you'll have to excuse me." 

He put his head down, hurried away. I'm not sure, but I think I saw a
tremble in his lower lip. 

I'm a mean old lady who most likely doomed herself to an eternity in a
game store for making this kid cower, but d -at- mn! I feel liberated! 

The guide I wrote goes to him for review on Monday and I'm no longer
worried about it. If he can't or won't do his job, that's not my
problem. 

Thank you all for your words of wisdom and caution. This assertiveness
stuff is hard for me. I worry too much about hurting people's feelings
but finally realized that's also not my problem. 

Patty B.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and 
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical 
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial.
http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/

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- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.