On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
(OP)
Here is some advice about things that one should avoid saying while at work:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/10-things-smar...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/10-things-smar...
John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without





RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Anyone here that really doesn't like to hear "I'll try" from their colleagues/direct reports?
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
That specific "thing" implies that the only reason there's hesitancy is you, which is a ludicrous assumption. It could be your boss; it could be the task, or even all three. Many engineering tasks are nearly impossible at the get-go; that's why DARPA exists. "DARPA-hard" essentially is something that's absurdly difficult and requires more money that your boss has.
Your boss says, "I need you to build xyz that can survive on the surface of Jupiter for 50 days;" the only plausible answer, short of "that's ludicrous," is "I'll try." The fact that your boss is asking something that's well past unobtainium is something that's not even considered in the article.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
2. “It’s not my fault.” - should you always take the blame for someone else's fault?
3. “I can’t.” and 7. “I’ll try.” and 8. “This will only take a minute.” may simply be honest assessment. "Yes" people are usually far more dangerous than "I will try people".
4. “It’s not fair.” shouldn't be used towards life in general, but may be applicable when talking about not having raise 3rd year in a row.
5. “That’s not in my job description.” - also not to be used everyday, unless you repeatedly asked to do someone else's work (and that guy is getting his raises).
6. “This may be a silly idea …/I’m going to ask a stupid question.” - appropriate when you are trying to make sharp turn in the discussion. Helps to wake everybody up.
9. “I hate this job.” and 10. “He’s lazy/incompetent/a jerk.” really only belong on this forum. No-one holding gun to your head forcing you to work with jerk on the job you hate.
"For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert"
Arthur C. Clarke Profiles of the future
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Instead of finding reasons you /should/ be doing the things outlined as poor practice in the article, maybe ask yourself what a better way to phrase it would be.
Such as @CheckerHater's comment re: #6. I would say that he misses the point only slightly. It's a valid point to use some phrases (even if self-deprecating) to get people to brace themselves and consider something unorthodox. I think the point, however, is to avoid using phrases that immediately cast you in a bad or ignorant light. Instead of "This is a stupid question, but..." maybe just say something like "Just to step back and look at it from afar, have we ruled out or even considered 'xxxxxxxxxx' yet?" Find a way to propose novel ideas without telling everyone you're saying something stupid. Say it, and people will sometimes believe you.
That's the point... framing the situation and general mood of your conversation can make more difference than the quality of content of your conversation. It's not ideal; it's just human. Granted, I expect engineers are among the trades most likely to suffer from lack of social nuance like this, so I shouldn't be surprised that all of the replies so far are attempts to denounce some or all of the article content. :)
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Master Yoda
Good luck,
Latexman
To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
I used to count sand. Now I don't count at all.
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
"Consider it done ... "
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Another time I asked the VP of Technology if "he had always been that stupid", it turns out that he was anything but stupid and was actually smart enough to know what he didn't know and his "dumb act" was an affectation to get people like me to do a better job explaining ourselves. He turned out to actually be a great guy.
With age I FINALLY learned to not assume that a seemingly stupid question was as shallow as it seemed and not some subtle trap. I rarely call anyone names anymore.
Basically the list is about positive spin in marginal situations. Spin in inherently dishonest and blindly following the list will make you appear to be a lickspittle and of marginal consequence.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Not saying "Its not my fault" does not imply that you should accept blame (you fault or not), just dont use that wording! Work with the issue dont play the blame game (that you inevitably do if you say "its not my fault")
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
I'm sick of this 'don't worry about how we got here just concentrate on how we fix the problem' - sure great to fix the specific issue but doesn't fix the broken system or whatever led to the mess in the first place. Given those that learn from history are bound to repeat it...
I'm more of a "Lack of Proper Planning and Preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part" kind of a guy. I object to working long evenings and weekends because say Sales & Marketing (to pick a common culprit) don't do their job properly.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...
John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without
RE: On the topic "to get ahead in my work"...