I really hate getting called out on shit that isn't my fault. As an admin, it happens A LOT. It is ego damaging, and sometimes I push back- I can't help it!
Incompetent!Boss, as the name may imply, often says one thing and then days later (sometimes hours) says the opposite. So my co-workers and I are often in the position of having to say to our superior "But you SAID...," which he disagrees with, which puts us in the position of arguing with him.
We have learned, though, and try to get everything in e-mail format now, so at least when we inevitably disagree with him we can pull out an e-mail and say, "Actually, you DID say..."
My life is generally easier if I don't do much pushback and get on with the fixing. I will take whatever blame so long as my shit gets done.
This is why I have a department on my shit list. It's completely their fault things are late or having to be redone or done at the last minute, but at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter, and I have to do the apologizing/begging to creative and development.
(And then I get called out for having a bad attitude. Which, you know, I don't push back so much on, because it's true, if that's the criteria.)
I don't think that disagreeing about something that you're not in the wrong about is a "bad attitude."
The problem, of course, is that even if you prove you're right, if you're a peon, you're still automatically "insubordinate," because you had the gall to disagree with a superior, even though he was wrong.
It's possible I'm a little bitter.
Oh, Vortex. I've never had a professional employee confused about hierarchy, but the students & interns drive me bonkers with thinking that their opinion matters as much as mine (or the collective department).
har. That's a good way to put it. My friend was once told "I'm the boss. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right."
Argggg. I hate reading this, because I *so* do this,
Yeah, I was just thinking that I do this too. I really hate getting called out on shit that isn't my fault.
Right, but when you do it, you know that you are arguing, even though you can't help it.
I mean, I understand being upset if you believe you are right and are getting yelled at, but she compounded it with "next time, i'll write it down so I can show you." UNFUCKINGACCEPTABLE.
but I have this ridiculously overinflated sense of justice (well, justice for *me*) and that, no, REALLY, I swear to God I'm right and you just need to listen to meeeeeeee and then you'll realize!
You're ... Pete? Huh.
Tho' I do the same damn thing at times, too. But usually not in a work setting, because arguing with a boss? Bad idea.
You're ... Pete? Huh.
I have been known to loom.
I have been known to loom.
How are you at instantly recognizing the tone of voice that means
HOLY SHIT THERE'S A SPIDER COME IN AND SAVE ME?
I said "when I say something that you believe is incorrect and you continue to contradict me? That's arguing with me."
This is a conversation I have with Ellie often. She's 4.
How are you at instantly recognizing the tone of voice that means HOLY SHIT THERE'S A SPIDER COME IN AND SAVE ME?
I'm very good at recognizing it, since I often use it myself.
"I'm the boss. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right."
This. Also, replace parent for boss there. My usual declaration when I am pushed too hard is reminding the employee or child that this is not a democracy. It is a dictatorship and I am the dictator. Deal or find another country.