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.
Subject:Re: Difference between editor and manager From:Robert Plamondon <robert -at- PLAMONDON -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 10 Jan 1996 18:37:05 -0800
>George Allaman replies:
> I don't think managers should ever fancy
>themselves mentors. Since the manager's job is to judge the employee and
>their work, a healthy mentoring relationship is impossible. For instance:
>I'm much less likely to display my ignorance if it might affect my chances
>for a raise or promotion. But it needs to be displayed so that I can learn.
What an odd concept. The job of a manager is to get work done through
others; sitting in judgement is neither here nor there. (To the
extent that it's imposed by corporate performance-evaluation requirements,
many of us cheat with a clear conscience, giving high marks to
all and sundry as a way of preventing the idiotic bureaucratic
process from infuriating the staff any more than necessary.) Also, as
writers, we have little opportunity to hide our ignorance; our
writing reveals all.
-- Robert
--
Robert Plamondon * Pres./Managing Editor, High-Tech Technical Writing, Inc.
36475 Norton Creek Road * Blodgett * Oregon * 97326
robert -at- plamondon -dot- com * (541) 453-5841 * Fax: (541) 453-4139
