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:Jason Willebeek-LeMair <jlemair -at- ITEXCHSRV2 -dot- PHX -dot- MCD -dot- MOT -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 17 Dec 1998 11:34:50 -0700
Rowena,
I was not commenting on the fact that they post people problems, actually I
usually read all of those posts. Makes me feel like I am not the only one
with those problems...
The problem I have is that most of the replies boil down to "complain to
your/their manager and make your/their manager fix it." I think that is
career-limiting, bad advice.
I think that a more appropriate response would be "fix the problem (and give
advice on how to fix it) and, oh, by the way, make sure your manager knows
there WAS a problem and that you fixed it."
That is all. And remember, this is just opinion, but it has served me well.
Jason
-----Original Message-----
From: Rowena Hart [mailto:rhart -at- xcert -dot- com]
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 1998 11:28 AM
To: Jason Willebeek-LeMair; TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Re: Inaccurate SMEs and Respect
Jason,
>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?
The reason why people post "people problems" to this list
is because this list is a community. If you have a problem,
you turn to your community for support and advice.
Sure, conflict resolution skills are part of our professional
toolkit. That doesn't mean that we need support and a little
courage before dealing with problems. Posting to this list
gives people a few days to cool down, collect their wits,
and think about how to tackle a situation that has them
spooked.
It's important to remember that we're not all old hands on this
list. There are a lot of people who subscribe to this list
because they are new to the profession. They may not have
a lot of people / office relationship skills in their toolkit yet.
>How can you possibly gain respect if you constantly whine to your manager
>when Billy (or Betty) won't play nice?
People, take a few minutes to think about how damned
lucky you are to have fabulous jobs and pleasant coworkers.
It's the right time of year to be thankful, in my mind. Then,
when you're feeling good, send helpful suggestions to the
list. Build your community, don't stand on the outside and
ridicule it.
