"Write it Down!"

[Anonymous]

I worked at DOS and DOD. Very different cultures but one thing they both had in common, show up with pen and paper. When the boss is giving guidance, write it down. Like it or not, the people who report to our often going to be older than you, likely Gen X. Gen X likes you to write stuff down bc they do t like to repeat themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Write it down dummy.

I'm sick of my staff who think they can remember all the instructions I give them without writing it down, and then deliver sub par results, without the details I asked for.

It just causes me more work and I detest it. And they are too obtuse to dense to realize when I give them feedback and say "like I asked you in the beginning" that they screwed up.

I also make comp decisions and these people get lower raises and bonuses than the reliable staff who make my life easier

Then you make decisions about not remembering, NOT for not writing it down. That is controlling. It's dumb. It's bullying. It's an unnecessary flex of authority. People hate bosses like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first tips I give younger employees is to always bring paper and always write down notes when someone asks. This seems old fashioned to them, but it solves so many problems. I don’t mind people not bringing paper but it’s super annoying when they take notes on their phone. It interrupts the course of conversation and draws their attention more than having paper. Or maybe that’s just my perception but also it doesn’t matter because that’s the perception of most people and meetings are about communication. I also can’t stand when people bring a laptop and stare at it but that battle was long lost as acceptable office etiquette.

This is widely considered obnoxious behavior. Maybe that seems dumb, but we all do things at work for the purpose of following protocol and fostering the feelings of other people. Just bring paper and a pen. It isn’t worth a big confrontation.

It's a lock that your subordinates despise working for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Write it down dummy.

I'm sick of my staff who think they can remember all the instructions I give them without writing it down, and then deliver sub par results, without the details I asked for.

It just causes me more work and I detest it. And they are too obtuse to dense to realize when I give them feedback and say "like I asked you in the beginning" that they screwed up.

I also make comp decisions and these people get lower raises and bonuses than the reliable staff who make my life easier

Then you make decisions about not remembering, NOT for not writing it down. That is controlling. It's dumb. It's bullying. It's an unnecessary flex of authority. People hate bosses like you.

It's fine. He'll be dead soon enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boss can take his own notes or needs to hire a secretary.

Lol.

Just write it down op, on paper. Not doodling on your phone. Surely you know shorthand by now. Use it for your new job. You’re toast there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked at DOS and DOD. Very different cultures but one thing they both had in common, show up with pen and paper. When the boss is giving guidance, write it down. Like it or not, the people who report to our often going to be older than you, likely Gen X. Gen X likes you to write stuff down bc they do t like to repeat themselves.

+1000

Sick of having to email what was said at a meeting since millennials and gen a don’t carry notebooks or pens. Or remover anything.lose lose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

My manager asked that Bob not attend these meetings anymore if he's going to be rude and aggressive with the staff. Bob didn't care for this at all as it was clearly a W for me.

After Bob was dismissed, my manage asked me to avoid him as "everyone knows he's an A hole" and cleaning up after him is more work for him.

When asked if I was to follow instruction or direction from Bob in the future, the response was:

"No. Bob has been told you do not report to him."

Lesson here is clear- Don't try to flex on non reports. And most definitely don't double down on dumb.

Merry Christmas!

Surprising outcome to me, but then again I’m a boomer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the first tips I give younger employees is to always bring paper and always write down notes when someone asks. This seems old fashioned to them, but it solves so many problems. I don’t mind people not bringing paper but it’s super annoying when they take notes on their phone. It interrupts the course of conversation and draws their attention more than having paper. Or maybe that’s just my perception but also it doesn’t matter because that’s the perception of most people and meetings are about communication. I also can’t stand when people bring a laptop and stare at it but that battle was long lost as acceptable office etiquette.

This is widely considered obnoxious behavior. Maybe that seems dumb, but we all do things at work for the purpose of following protocol and fostering the feelings of other people. Just bring paper and a pen. It isn’t worth a big confrontation.

I have bad handwriting. I always insisted on taking notes by laptop or mobile. Wondering now if this is why some superiors did not like me?

[Anonymous]

Why couldn't Bob write down his own idea(s). In most places you need a two page memo on any change or addition so Bob doing his own writing is the start of his own memo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me understand this situation.
OP took the time to write down this instance. But their is no pay for writing on DCUM.
But then OP doesn’t write down anything at a meeting where there is pay involved, as in a salary.

Lol. Petty little man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of you are toxic.

I don’t agree. I remember more specific detail if I am not writing stuff down, especially in a discussion with multiple people/meeting setting.

J can’t read my own hand writing and most people assume you are paying attention if you write notes on your phone.
Everyone operates a little differently and for different reasons. If OP does his job, do the granular means by which he does matter?

[Anonymous]

OP, I predict you will have many struggles in the professional world. The #1 skill needed to succeed is how to get along and play nice with people at every level in your organization. I would not keep someone like you on my team. I’m not sure about Bob either, but it sounds like you started this by challenging him in front of the group so it’s understandable that he responded in this manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Write it down dummy.

I'm sick of my staff who think they can remember all the instructions I give them without writing it down, and then deliver sub par results, without the details I asked for.

It just causes me more work and I detest it. And they are too obtuse to dense to realize when I give them feedback and say "like I asked you in the beginning" that they screwed up.

I also make comp decisions and these people get lower raises and bonuses than the reliable staff who make my life easier

Then you make decisions about not remembering, NOT for not writing it down. That is controlling. It's dumb. It's bullying. It's an unnecessary flex of authority. People hate bosses like you.

NP and I completely disagree. S/He is comping based on staff who get things right and don’t waste time. If they can remember perfectly, great. If not, they need to develop a system of recording instructions on their own. A manager telling you to write something down is being too kind. This happens once, I switch the project to a more capable peer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both of you are toxic.

+1. What a stupid thing to argue about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really not sure why you didn’t right it down. He was an ass with his reaction, but I am pretty high up and have been asked by my boss to take notes at a meeting. I would never say no.

So if your boss tells you to write down "Eat lunch at noon." You're gonna do it? You're just some sheep that engages in obedience theater?

Yes. Being an employee involves a significant degree of obedience theater.

As for that matter, does being your own boss, because you always have a client of some kind.

In the words of Mr. Dylan, "You've got to serve somebody". And, given that most people are idiots, or at least willfully ignorant in various ways, that will involve doing some crap that you know is pointless some of the time.

Especially if you’ve got a boss who likes the word “insubordination” - play the game, collect your paycheck. If its an untenable situation, find a new job and leave, telling them you are leaving for a new opportunity. And be done with it.