If you ask two managers the same question, you will never get the same answer. Never. Not only that, the answers are usually completely opposite. So basically, if you need guidance, just ask one and pray that person knows what they're doing, because trying to reach a consensus will only leave you more confused.
15 replies (most recent on top)
@OP
You want me to bottom line it for you?
Ignore what the other dope managers are saying.
At the end of the day, you take your direction from YOUR manager.
That's it. Pretty f'n simple.
@bd hi this is @b9. i'm not a manager and am not personally receiving forum-shopping questions as described in my post. have just seen people on all sides get burned by such behavior. better to find answers yourself (e.g., check procedures like @ba said). but congrats for being able to entertain yourself with that vivid imagination!
There is NO clear direction from the C-Suite. Other than just go fire a bunch of people every other week. This is not sustainable but Chuckles doesn't care as he'll have one foot out the door while Rome burns to the ground.
This is why there are so many inconsistencies. They've created the Hunger Games and have zero plans beyond that. Pathetic excuse for a CEO.
"...especially when you don't tell each person you've already consulted others and don't relay what they said. that backfires anyway since managers talk to each other."
Sounds like you've got something to hide.
Could it be incompetence?
Are you a manager who's skating on thin ice yourself, due to not really being sufficiently qualified to do your job?
Why would you care if the person who asked you a question has asked others?
And the person asking is under no obligation to tell you who they might have consulted about it previously, nor what what said.
They're asking YOU, so why are you putting conditions on their approach, based on what they may or may not divulge to you about other people's input?
You don't gossip or play games with people based on their genuine inquiries on how to do their job in the best way possible.
If you're a good manager, you help them to do well.
But that's not how you're coming across as being, here.
You seem to be insecure, ill-intentioned, petty, unprofessional, and perhaps a narcissist.
People who are on the up and up, and who know what they're doing with their job, are more than willing to share information when asked, and they pride themselves on knowing the correct answers to begin with. If asked about something they're unclear on, they are secure enough to respond with something along the lines of, "That's still in process, I'll check with __ and get back to you by __ with what I find out." And then you actually follow up with the person by the deadline you gave them, because you value and practice personal and professional integrity.
Is that how you're interacting with your reports and/or superiors?
Or are you just winging it with BS every day, because you're too insecure to admit when you don't know the answer, and too uncaring about your colleagues to be relied on for accuracy, transparency, genuine helpfulness, and consistency?
Wells Fargo has more managers per employee than any of our competitors.
@b9
The point the OP is making is that he doesn’t know who to trust when the people in charge give him completely different (and often opposing) answers to questions he asks. I recommend that he consult published procedures instead of managers when possible. Also he should document in his notes the name of the manager who told him to take whatever action he took, because if it comes back as an error, he will be blamed for it.
@OP just figure out the answer yourself. if you absolutely must ask your manager, trust their answer and confirm by email if needed for CYA purposes. don't be one of those people who asks 2+ people the exact same question. that just wastes everyone's time, especially when you don't tell each person you've already consulted others and don't relay what they said. that backfires anyway since managers talk to each other. also you'll get a reputation for being a forum shopper, i.e., someone who keeps asking people the same question until you get the answer you want.
In my department it’s even worse than that. Most of the leads and associates are incompetent as well, and they just laid off all the ones in Portland who did know what they were doing. Wells Fargo is kicking itself in the ba--s, repeatedly.
@an
I love this response.
A post that gives the correct answer and you bash by calling it bootlicker.
What a tool.
Worse is when you have a manager that gives you different answers on different days
How about asking them all and choosing the answer that you like the best?
for bootlickers like you, perhaps...
@aj Yeah, but he's always in a meeting.
Most people have one manager. That's the opinion that matters.