Good Luck, ND!

I am guilty of the "You may want to do X" also but generally it is when I want the person to do X but there isn't a specific process or procedure guideline that requires them to do X that I can point to. I also used to use the "feel free" or "you can" language when I wanted to them to do something but knew it wasn't really critical and was trying really hard not to micromanage. When I'm supervising people in a job that I have a lot of experience with and can do well, providing feedback that is helpful without being obnoxiously directive is tricky. Knowing all of this about myself is why I always tell new hires to ask specific questions if they don't understand something I tell them - I know how frustrating it is to not know what is expected.

I am much better about dealing with askers now that I understand it, and I actually try to assess my student workers to figure out which they are and I try to give really clear directions to them.

I got better at everything once I realized not everyone in the world thought exactly as I did!

In totally unrelated news, this is probably good news for someone.

Good luck, ND! And yay Maria!

Jesse I totally had that happen one time--this coworker was all "could you help me with (task) by doing X by tomorrow afternoon?" And I was all "yeah, I could probably do that". And he flipped out that I hadn't given him a yes or no. Whereas I was like "say what you mean! If it's "I need x done by tomorrow afternoon and I will not be able to do it. I need you to do it instead, unless you can justify other tasks" then say so! (He was not my boss. Though he may have thought he was. He had anger issues, and a few months later, at my new job, I was like "oh hello don't hire him!!")

Because I'm used to "feel free" meaning "hey, do this if you want," like "I made some pie; feel free to have a piece!" That totally doesn't mean "YOU SHOULD EAT PIE NOW!"

...or does it?)

For one of my co-workers it does. If she bakes something and brings it into the office, she'll offer it repeatedly and then hover over you until you've eaten it. There are days when I have to bite back "I DON'T WANT A DAMN MUFFIN!"

Drew, that's exciting stuff! My fingers are crossed for you. I'm so happy that lots of good things are happening for you.

In totally unrelated news, this is probably good news for someone.

I don't think this is related, but there is a strain called Kosher Kush. Because it was blessed by a Rabbi.

Seriously.

Thanks everyone. I can't remember the last time my Winter/Spring was this busy. It's very good, just unexpected and a little exhausting. It doesn't help that I seem to be fighting a mild cold right now.

I'm totally an asker. I apologize to guessers, but I tend to think that that is the kind of wooly-headed thinking that leads to getting eaten.