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The
Boss is Always Right |
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| What
if the boss is wrong? I was called into a meeting
with my second level manager and several other key
engineers to discuss the reconfiguration of the
aircraft we were designing. The manager discussed
the approach for this re-configuration. I had studied
this approach several times before and I knew that
based on the constraints we were working under,
this design concept would not work. I raised my
concerns during the meeting and I discussed the
problems we would encounter. The manager was not
impressed with my line of reasoning or my arguments
and made the decision to go with this design. We
left the meeting and started following the manager's
lead. I worked very hard to see if it could be done.
At a design review I supported my manager's approach.
At this design review another engineer working under
the same manager raised objections to the concept.
After the meeting the manager took this engineer
aside and told him that disagreeing with the manager
in public undermined the manager. The manager used
me as an example, saying that I raised my objections
in a private meeting and that once the decision
was made I supported the manager in public; behavior
expected from the entire staff. Ultimately the manager
was proven wrong. The concept was not workable and
it was abandoned. The lesson learned from this is
that once your boss makes a decision and assigns
you a task, it is your responsibility to follow
those directions. If, based on your experience and
expertise you disagree, the time to present your
arguments is in private with your supervisor. Always
be respectful and professional, but the decision
ultimately is theirs. |
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In
reality we know that this is not always true. Your supervisor
is only human and can make mistakes. But as an entry-level
engineer you must respect the position of authority
and responsibility that your supervisor occupies. Through
a combination of training and experience your supervisor
attained his or her current position. In assigning you
a task or developing a design concept, it is your duty
to follow their direction and to do what they ask.
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