In addition, I received this email from an individual who will be my boss as of July 2, 2007. “Techy was just trying to ascertain that you would have the systems you need for Sunday. Why not just answer her?”<\/em> <\/p>\n I don’t get it. Should I answer this email if so, how? <\/p>\n Issue #2 I am also wondering if there is a polite way of keeping soups out of my personal life. They keep walking around asking everyone. <\/p>\n Soups giving me indigestion<\/p>\n OFFICE-POLITICS REPLY BY FRANKE JAMES<\/strong> Dear Soups giving me indigestion,<\/p>\n Although you have written for help in dealing with intrusive \u2018soups\u2019<\/em> and communication, your letter actually raises a ‘red flag’<\/strong> that indicates your success may be in jeopardy. <\/p>\n I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard the phrase \u2018A new broom sweeps clean\u2019<\/strong>. I can\u2019t tell you the number of times I\u2019ve seen this happen in our dealings with clients. It is so true. A new Manager comes in who wants to put his\/her stamp on things. Before you know it, employees who were happily working under the old regime are now \u2018ordered\u2019<\/em> to change their ways. Some adjust \u2013 but those who don\u2019t are shifted to new (lesser<\/em>) duties or turfed out entirely.<\/p>\n The Red Flag<\/strong> Perhaps you would argue, \u201cWell that\u2019s not the way we do things here. We have channels to go through.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n Broken Telephone<\/strong> The Grand Experiment<\/strong> The Bottleneck?<\/strong> Should business be personal?<\/strong> Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Let me know if this helps.<\/p>\n Franke<\/p>\n Franke James, MFA __________________________________________________________<\/p>\n
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\nSo what is the red flag that your soon-to-be Boss is waving in front of your face? He asks, \u201cTechy was just trying to ascertain that you would have the systems you need for Sunday. Why not just answer her?\u201d<\/em> Clearly your future Boss is frustrated with the old patterns of communication. He tells you directly, \u201cWhy not just answer her?\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n
\nUh huh. Hmmm… Your new Boss is clearly frustrated with the \u2018status quo\u2019<\/em> and wanting to change the way communications are conducted. Can you think of reasons why he might be frustrated? Have tasks been delayed simply because the \u2018techies\u2019<\/em> can\u2019t get answers fast enough? Have past jobs been plagued by \u2018broken telephone\u2019<\/em> problems because the message has had to go through three different levels? <\/p>\n
\nThe funny thing is, whether he is right or wrong is beside the point. He thinks he is \u2018right\u2019<\/em>. Therefore I would wager that a grand experiment is about to be played out. As the new broom, the Boss is going to try to sweep out the employees who \u2018refuse to talk to one another\u2019<\/em> and bring in new more flexible employees who are comfortable talking with all levels of the organization. Remember, Bosses don\u2019t have to be right. They just have to be in a position of power to do what they think is right. And frankly, having worked on many design and technical projects over the years, I would say this new way of communicating is modern, smart and will improve the speed, flow and accuracy of getting projects out the door. <\/p>\n
\nAsk yourself this, \u201cWould your new Boss identify you as a bottleneck?\u201d<\/em> He is obviously sympathetic to the \u2018techie\u2019 side of the organization. I can hear his pain when he asks, \u201cWhy not just answer her?\u201d<\/em> It sounds like there is a turf war going on with the techies complaining about the slowness of having to go through many layers of people in order to get a simple question answered.<\/p>\n
\nThe other sore point you raise is the issue of questions about your personal life. I\u2019m not in your office so I can\u2019t tell how probing the \u2018soups\u2019 are being. But if it\u2019s casual chitchat in order to find common areas of interest, then I\u2019d say it\u2019s fair game. I recommend that you read Ronna Lichtenberg\u2019s It’s Not Business, It’s Personal<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.assoc-amazon.com\/e\/ir?t=officepolitic-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0786885130\")
\nEditor & Founder, Office-Politics.com<\/p>\n