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: Inaccurate SMEs and Respect From:Tracy Boyington <tracy_boyington -at- OKVOTECH -dot- ORG> Date:Thu, 17 Dec 1998 11:52:46 -0600
> Why does it seem that, every time that someone posts a "people problem" to
> the list, there are a flood of replies about going to their managers
> immediately? Aren't conflict resolution and people skills part of our
> professional toolkit? Can't this person work it out (or duke it out) with
> the SME?
Going to the manager doesn't necessarily mean saying "I have a problem,
will you fix it for me?" Several replies said you should let your
manager know there is a problem *and* let your manager know what *you*
plan to do to fix it.
> We have a chronic problem SME here, and I frequently have to work with him.
> Yes, I told my manager that he was difficult (well, she already knew), but
> that I could work it out.
See? Just like that. And you even got credit for solving it, which
wouldn't have happened if your manager hadn't known there was a problem.
:-)
