You're A Very Bad Man
It’s time for my weekly blogging instalment. The weeks seem to fly by these days and before I know it, it’s Sunday night. The craziness at work is getting better and my workload is evening out but out of my 37.5 (which usually ends up being 45 hour) work week I have 27 hours of meetings (which means things will pile again). A lot of the reason for that is the fact that people are now working together as a team and we’re getting a lot done. Unfortunately, the upcoming week is going to somewhat more trying than the last because I am going to be forced to make some decisions that are going to be wholly unpopular. This is where I hope to get input from my blogging public. I realize being in a position where you manage projects you are going to have to upset people and make unpopular decisions. Thus, I am most definitely prepared to do; however, it would be great to get your input on how to best give the news to the people who had hoped for a different outcome. Unfortunately I have to be rather cryptic, but essential it’s telling people that despite the way they would like to have something dealt with it’s going to have to be dealt with in another way, essentially the complete opposite of what they would have wanted. The way I think I am going to proceed is to explain to them the reason for the decision, ask for input on if they see any viable alternatives and if not explain to them what is going to happen. It would be great to get all perspectives from you guys out there. I know that I’ll inevitably come out looking like the bad guy and would like it if people respect the decision even though I am both new and relatively young.
It would also be interesting to see if anyone out there could let me in on any fun and exciting things to do on the upcoming weekend. If the ideas have to be location specific we can go with either Toronto or the Niagara region. It seems like a lot of my blogging audience tends to come from Niagara so this might be an interesting exercise.
It other news my birthday is coming up in two weeks which also happens to coincide with my Guido’s upcoming wedding. Thus, I lose both a weekend and a birthday weekend with friends. This wedding is work than daylight savings time.
posted by Molecular Turtle @ 3:44 PM
13 Comments:
Don't drown yourself in Pasta Pomodoro at the wedding. Celebrate your birthday (never mind the strange italian...).
A few suggestions on how to put it:
"It's not exactly what you expected, but it's even better, because..."
"Did you know that 3.000 care baer babies die a hour? No? So this news might sound good then:"
"I'm very happy about this, you shouldn't be though."
Oh MT, I think as far as your decisions go...you're smart, and thorough! So I believe what you have decided to do
["The way I think I am going to proceed is to explain to them the reason for the decision, ask for input on if they see any viable alternatives and if not explain to them what is going to happen."]
will be ok, regardless of who you are. I think you'll be understood. I'm praying you will be anyway! :)
How old are you turning? Happy Soon Birthday, don't sweat the Wedding thing too much, it too shall pass, like gas!!!
Weekend fun idea?
Buy a DS for you and Nikki and get a couple M3's, then hack your DS and vers..Nikki.
Oh and I replied your comment over there at Yokoso, thanks for filling the bucket too, it's always appreciated!!!
Demara~
Here's my assvice on making unpopular decisions:
-be sure to validate and acknowledge the concerns and ideas of others, and then tell them how your way may or may not address those concerns
-be flexible to some extent
-keep checkin in for further feedback on how your way is going
Good luck!
mhhh not sure what I'd do in your showes but I think it would be something like
reviewing their ideas, noting why they are great and why they wouldn't work
That is a tough one, MT. I would be careful about asking for too much input if the decision is already made and nothing anyone says can change it. No matter what the circumstance or how big the inprovement, some people will respond poorly to change. But that is just human nature, and they will get over it sooner or later. Just try not to take the flack personally, they are reacting to the change itself and not YOU.
Happy Birthday! I think you get to celebrate early and often, since Guido is stealing your whole birthday weekend. Time to get a bottle of the Ravenswood and whoop it up.
Not sure about Team MT but over here in my C'ttee they have the lowest mentality...they didn't want to air their concern & views leaving us to make that unpopular decision. Worst, they walked out of the meeting and start to criticize :( No matter what, if they can't decide, we decide for them so go with your gut feel MT :) HOpe that helps.
Happy Birthday ~ early greetings :D
I think you're handling your situation the only way you can. Explaining the situation to the people concerned and giving them a chance to voice any alternatives they can think of. Your very kind to care enough to think it through like this. :)
Sucks when birthdays are mixed in with other events. I hope it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. We won't let that happen here, though. I've got the virtual balloons ready and the virtual cake ordered! :)
Get drunk at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto?
We went to the ROM, the zoo & Chinatown this weekend. Good time had by all.
You could go and see the Emily Carr exhibit at the AGO although I'm not sure that it would be as exciting as getting drunk at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Hmm, maybe I'll change my plans.
Let all of them know that you wish to be clear on one thing...they should not take any decisions made PERSONALLY.
After that, good luck because I am not sure.
As for the weekend of the 24th, my brother gets married in Niagara Falls. Hope you find some fun!
Cheers!
I miss you, baby!
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