Work Rant....Is it just Ego that deprives people from admitting they don't know something??

tough on parents tho!!

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Though immensly proud I keep fearing she'll fall. I KNOW she has to a little to learn, but she's definetly daddy's little girl...worse thing is I think she knows it! LOL

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

It is always so exciting to see your child's first steps...especially the first child..there's nothing like watching them open up their arms to you as they are wobbling across the floor..total trust that you will catch them when they start falling

I remember both of my children's first steps...however the younger one I kept pushing back onto the floor because I wasn't ready to see him walk yet...probably a good thing as he was a runner from day 1...climbed, ran, got into everything...but he was a good baby...thank goodness!

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

I think I will definetly suffer from the empty nest syndrome though it is still years away!

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

The house has been made as baby safe as can be....baby gates are up all over the place (we have 3) and we never let her out of our sight LOL

Hope your kids grow up safe and happy under your loving and protective eyes as well.

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Enjoy every minute with your children because one day you will turn around and they will be grown.  My two are teenagers now and I already feel my heart constrict just at the thought of them leaving to begin lives on their own.

Yes DG - the love you feel for your own children is indescribable. There is now way to measure it.  My children, since the day I laid eyes on them and until the day I take my last breath, will be my purpose for all that I do.

You have to keep an eagle eyes on kids once they start walking ... they take all type of risks ! 

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

Born 7th January last year

She is still wobbling, but she can take 4 or 5 steps before she sits down. Can't wait till she's a little older and she can play sports with her old man!

Stay safe all. 

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

what age she is now? since I have a lil daughter too she is going to be 6mnths old soon but don't remember at what age exactly my son took 1st step   now he is 4yrs and its difficult to stop his legs

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

yes RR patience and the lonely planet guide book..hehehe

Frustrating is an understatement....patience is your ally now!

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Gives us drive, clarity of purpose, and not to mention the sheer joi de vivre when you see their little faces light up with a smile

Hope you and your family stay safe and have a wonderful weekend as well.

The same wishes go out to ALL Ql members.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

This refusing to admit the "i dont know" isnt just exclusive to the workforce in the ME. Ive experienced this when asking for street directions. You ask for directions and your are sent to the wrong places because people dont know how to say, sorry i dont know. Its frustrating, wasting your time and energy. In the end i learnt to ask for directions from three people before procedding to ensure im on the right track. 80% of the time i get different directions from all three...If you dont know just say it..honesty is best policy...

Yes, RR, when you have a child it becomes earthshatteringly clear why you are here on Earth.  Your child becomes your mission in life, your call to arms.  It's indescribable.  What a blessing to have such  gift and to experience the love that fills your heart.

I have three, and it just gets better and better :)

Have a great weekend.

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________________

 Love is the answer...

Yes it made my whole day, week, month and probably year! Ranks up there with my weeding day and the day she was born as some of the most cherished moments of my life!

Thank you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Ah RR, you have witnessed one of life's sweetest and most cherished moments...your little girl taking her first steps :)  Mabrouk!

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________________

 Love is the answer...

Excellent advise thank you.

Seems like this was the only thing he "exagerrated", but I did impart the seriousness of falsying a CV to him....he got scared and hopefully got the point.

But as you said there are other factors to consider, and knowing what I know about his family situation, I wasn't goint to try and get him fired

It all worked out in the end.

Stay safe. 

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

RR  - my thoughts on your dilemma are that your co-worker knew that he had stated he was proficient in Excel on his CV so when asked to participate in the team project by preparing a spreadsheet he was caught in his lie.  Lying on a resume is serious business in many professional circles and your guy probably was more afraid of getting fired than looking foolish.  Because, as we all know, getting fire in Qatar has some very serious consequences.  I think it says a lot about your character that you are willing to teach him these skills instead of letting him go or presenting his lack of skills to someone who would let him go. One suggestion though - if he exaggerated on one skill set in his CV - did he exaggerate on others?  Maybe you should talk to him after the project is complete to find out what other important skills may be lacking.

Good Luck

he does incredible work...but I think we wore him down...lol

Hubby was working out of town at that time and came home each weekend..level and tape measure in truck...hit the worksite first, measured and leveled and compared the house plans, then would come home and call the guy...I was the interior person...makde sure the painting and cabinetry was what I specified...punch list was about 24 pages long, computer typed..should have seen his face when I handed him that one! But have to give him credit..he didn't complain, just reprimanded the contractors and they fixed it.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Scarlett, so funny that he went into commercial construction as it is almost ALWAYS the case that there are penalties for missing completion date.  Hefty daily fines plus the caveats you had in your contract.  Wonder how he is doing??!

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________________ Love is the answer...

I know "what" it means.....it just amazes me how sometimes people try to use it for appointements, contractual commitments, etc...

No bank i'm aware of accepts inshallahs as payments for example

And yes it seems my company did not do it's job during the recruitment, though in fairness we do not test every potential employee on all the software they claim to be familiar with.....falsifying CVs is a HUGE no no in Canada.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Taken from dictionary for easy reference: 

(إن شاء الله) is an Arabic

term evoked by Arabic, Farsi, and Urdu speakers to indicate hope for an

aforementioned event to occur in the future. The Turks render it

"İnşallah". The phrase translates into English as "God willing" or "If it is God's will".

.....

First of all this does not apply on ME only, this is used around the globe wherever Mulsims are living. 

We use Inshah'Allah to seek Allah's help (also Alhamdulilah, Subhan'Allah, Mash'Allah are very common) these words are repeated by every muslim at least once in his daily life ....  it is also called Tasbih (تسبيح) is a form of dhikr that involves the repetitive utterances of short sentences glorifying God. The term can also be used loosely to refer to any kind of dhikr.

Therefore, when your subordinate said Inshah'Allah and later the turn back with negative response that he doesn't know how to use Excel, now here one more thing that he might know basic excel but not at the advanced level, therefore he said Inshah'Allah (to give a try with the help of God).

Sorry, I should say your company has a poor recruitment system. 

But here, I agree with you that in the 1st step he should have seek your help on how prepare a spreadsheet in Excel, since this has something to do with the deadline.

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

When hubby and I were going to build a custom home in Texas..we wouldn't sign the contract until it had a CLOSING date on it..with stipulations...such as IF the construction wasn't finished by X date, then the contractor had to pay to move us into a comperable home and pay the rent until such work was finished. Needless to say..he did just that...got it finished the day before the due date, and said he's never had anyone do that to him...then he went into commercial construction..hmm wonder if we had anything to do with that life change...lol

ost folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

It is a Global occurence, and I didn't mean to imply that it was purely a middle eastern phenomenon...it just seems more prevalent here? or maybe its just my frustration with my current employment spilling over into the thread

Anybody want to hire a Financial consultant/administrator/accountant/self-defense instructor/ anything ?? LOL

You were also right to say I need some time off with my family.....yesterday my baby took her first steps and I missed it.....luckily my wife got it on camera and I got to see her doing it again this morning before I came in to work.

Stay safe all. 

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Do agree that the word 'inshallah' is misued by many people.  I have heard it used many times to got rid of someone/end the discussion/etc.  Annoying at best.

However I don't thnk what you are referring to is peculiar to the Middle East.  In my experience bullsh*****g is a worldwide phenomenom.  Some of the CVs I've read over the years have been pure fabrication :/  Thankfully this was usually discovered at interview time.  And the first company who did renovations on my residence In NYC tried to take me for a complete idiot by saying they could do this and that when in actual fact their speciality was having 'union sanctioned' breaks - fine to take breaks but not ones lasting three weeks whilst they were still on the job!  What they were actually doing was another job on the sly and charging me for it - or trying to - hah!

Oh yeah, it's a global disease ;)

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________________ Love is the answer...

youknow..good thing it wasn't bukra inshallah...(I probably just totally messed up the spelling on that!) because you know then that ain't NO way its going to happen. Its rather like back home with someone says Manana...same theory...

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. --Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Yes, we met the deadline and the presentation went well  Thank you for asking.

Nothing a little overtime couldn't solve.

I don't like to generalize, but even you have to admit that there must be something in the culture that people don't like to say no....all I have gotten in Qatar (no matter who I was dealing with) was "inshallah" only to later find out they can't do something. It is much worse than telling someone you can't do something (then they can make alternate arrangements), but people in the middle east like to string you along with promises and then reneg at the last minute (I had the same experience in Lebanon).

I'm not saying ALL Middle Easteners are like that (for instance I get the distinct impression you are not like that)...but I humbly submit that poeple like us (you and I) are the exception rather than the rule. 

Its just frustrating.....and again my apologies if what i'm saying is coming accross in a derogatory manner, that is not my intent.

Stay safe all. 

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Ragnar, 'the Middle Eastern mindset'?  Being Middle Eastern myself I would like to know if you are referring to all Middle Eastern people or only the people you have come into contact with.

There I go again...pointing out generalisations :) 

Must go and analize my Middle Eastern mindset...

Seriously, I hope that you met the deadline and everything went/goes smoothly. You sound like you need and deserve a weekend with your family :)

 [img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________________ Love is the answer...

i understand canary...was just speaking from my work experience where there are some company who would not be willing to teach you but have to deal on your own...one or two months of training and that's it..they will leave you to handle tasks...now if you mislead them with your CV telling them that you do know certain skills, where in reality you don't that would be a big problem for yourself and your company...

speaking for yourself, lucky that you know how to adapt but what if a person doesn't? one must equipped him/herself before taking that work/job leap..

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

how is THAT possible that someone with completed secondary school doesn't know how to calculate %??? and try to work in statistics???

**********************

[img_assist|nid=71431|title=this too shall pass|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

I think you will find that they will tell you what they think you want to hear. If you expect them to know something and they don't they won't admit that they don't know.

I only ever had one employee that fitted into that category. Once I realised that, I kept a constant eye on him.

I took over section with some specific tasks, the employee in question was already there and had provided statistics (%'s) for a number of years on lost time accidents. The way in which the calculations were made was being modified to reflect slight variations in reporting.

One day he came to see me and asked how to do it.

I explained what figures were to be used but to no avail.

Eventually I discovered that he didn't know how to calculate the %.

Once I explained the process to him, there was no problem but why hadn't he asked his previous boss and how had he calcuated it before?

sadly it just happens.

I remember when I was doing an internship in a firm in London there was this woman who had things piling up on her desk. She finally took sick leave.

A few days later she wrote that she didn't have the knowledge to complete the tasks at hand.

The department were weeks behind.

__________________________

Actually owen I disagree with you on your viewpoint of learning new things in your company, myself I have learned many new things throughout my long working road and have also been able to teach others.

Life and work are permanent schools - who would have thought in the 60's we would have mobile telphones that we we be able to send music and photos not to mention letters through through a cable.

The most mordern thing we had was when the transistor radio was small enough to put in our handbag - I am sure there are quite a few on QL who would agree and remeber this.

Technology and software are on the fast track and even as you get older you need to keep up with the "joneses" as we say.

The only thing was that the poor guy (was probably ashamed) waited to until the last minute when had he spoken up the presentation would have been finished on time.

Even at my age I am learning new programs and am glad if I get the opportunity to use them before we have to make presentations with complicated graphic programs.

Acutally this goes for all - no one should feel embarrassed or ashamed to admit they can't do something - those kind of feelings one just has to overcome.

But I think I'll stick to my wasta instead....JK!!!!!!!!! :P

Work hard....or better yet work "smart".....never ever be affaraid to take up an opportunity to learn new things....there is no one on this earth who knows it all!

You MUST flexible to absorb information from all around you...you can later decide what works for you and what doesn't....but if you're closed to the idea of even listening to anyone else, then you have no idea what you are potentially missing.

There is also a saying among the top companies in Canada:

"We generally don't fire anyone for making a mistake....we ALWAYS fire anyone who makes the same mistake twice!"

If you're not "learning" everyday, then you are stuck in a time warp and useless to the company.

Work diligently, not just for the paycheck, but from the satisfaction derived at the end of the day from knowing you gave it your all, and you will succeed!

That's the recipe imho....ymmv.

Stay safe all.

P.S. I really gotta be getting to it now that the reports are coming in...thanks all for letting me vent!

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Bottom line of this kind of situation is " not knowing our colleagues".

Incompetency is certainly not regional or racial. We shouldn’t forget that the Lack of resources or knowledge with middle east people (apart from the lack of regional manpower itself) have paved way for employment for others. I would rate your situation as an opportunity for you. On short term, certainly it is a annoyance but on long term……..... it is an opportunity for growth.

Having accepted a task we must know our environment and colleagues thoroughly. Analyze your situation and resources before action. Do not get satisfied by basic info (like your friends "n/p" statement) while puting things together. First step of leadership is coordination.

is the right mentality and work ethic to succeed?

I came from a family that is a firm believer in education (there is NOT A SINGLE member of my extended family who does not have a University Degree AT LEAST), but its not the only tool you need to succeed....your mentality and work ethic are just as important (for example there are plenty of people without a University degree who have become great successes). Since I cannot control the level of edcation my team posesses (btw I have suggested to the company to cover courses we can offer some staff, but they refused...but I digress), I am at least trying to foster the right mentality and work ethic.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

As usual, you hit the nail on the head....now to try and find a sympathetic ear for all MY problems LOL

Stay safe.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

if the people weren't equipped with the necessary tools, such as a good education, to succeed in life in the first place then "who" you know can make or break you...make sense? okay now I think Im confusing myself! :P

Short leash

Monitoring

Target performance

and of course 'my door is always open..........'

Go mentoring.....

And i'll definetly get the point across that is NOT going to be how things are always done....but since he did show initiative and agreed to stay behind and lean how to do it, I was satisfied for now.

And I have also made it clear to my team that I WANT them to tell me when they don't know something...they seemed a little shocked ....time to bring my Crazy Canadian ideas to the table LOL!

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

No, you mean me bajesus...lol....I get what your saying, but when you know for a fact that certain people you work with are taking the piss out of you....it get's kinda irritating after awhile...

I would love the people I work with to empathize with me for a change...

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

The evironment bit:

Too idealistic

This guy could have been more proactive he chose the passive aggresive option.... wait and then deflect any criticism by your reaction.

OK teach him this time... but if he learns : I don't complete deadline.. RR covers for me and runs round....

Sometimes work can feel like you are just a sugar shoveller of other folks' incompetence.

I'm not perfect, but I do try...and heaven knows i'm still learning new things everday despite my ivy league education!

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

I suspect that I wouldn't be able to make you feel dumb if I tried =p

I think its the environment....for instance in Canada, you are encouraged to ask someone to show you how something is done if you don't know....no one looks down on you and makes you feel dumb....also its rarely an issue because poeple generally don't falsify CVs, so are almost never in a situation where they are asked to do something they are not qualified to do. If everyone is forthright from the get go, then you get assigned to the tasks you CAN handle, and the entire organization works more efficiently.

In general...the middle east seems to have more nepotism (as opposed to the Meritocracies of North America)...so you often have people in positions they are NOT qualified to hold....but that's what happens when "who" you kow becomes more important than "what" you know ;)

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Honestly,

Having the patience and charisma in taking the time to teach others, while under stress, Is excellent traits of a good leader.

He did not burn down the issue, he confronted and turned the issue in his favor, He took iniciative and came with a solution to the merging problem on the spot.

Some people cant work under pressure, that includes the "Educated ones".

My hat is off to you Ragnarock Raider.

Bajesus

My apologies to you, For expressing harshness in my comments directed to you.

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

But as Muhammad Ali once said, 'It's not bragging, if you can back it up'."

But seriously, its sad and unfortunate that a lot of the times ppl do look down on you whether they mean to or not...its an instant reaction thing...maybe it would help make you feel better to perhaps put yourself in that person's shoes...noone wants to feel "lesser" of a person...to respond with "inshallah" because you dont know what else to say and then conceal it with a fake smile...I dont know, if only people would take the time to see things from someone else's perspective, to empathize, try to understand them then maybe they wouldnt be so quick to jump to conclusions... just to be clear I dont mean you RR when I say this :)

I guess the key then is to try and foster an enviroment that does not make people feel inferior or dumb to admit they don't know something, but an opportunity to learn!

After all, one would think the poor person would feel even dumber when called on it and asked to explain why they don't know what they claimed to know. Does that make any sense?

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

when I used to make promises I cant keep it has to do with my complex of not wanting to look "dumb" or feel "inferior" infront of someone who's more experienced and well educated. I found this reason consistent with people who are the same. It's more shameful for a person to admit to someone that they cant perform a simple task, such as excel, because it makes them feel...whats the word Im looking for...stupid? anyway, I cant say this is what happened in this case but I'm speaking from my own experiences...

WE

1. Used by the speaker or writer to indicate the speaker or writer along with another or others as the subject: We made it to the lecture hall on time. We are planning a trip to Arizona this winter.

2. Used to refer to people in general, including the speaker or writer: "How can we enter the professions and yet remain civilized human beings?" Virginia Woolf.

3. Used instead of I, especially by a writer wishing to reduce or avoid a subjective tone.

4. Used instead of I, especially by an editorialist, in expressing the opinion or point of view of a publication's management.

5. Used instead of I by a sovereign in formal address to refer to himself or herself.

6. Used instead of you in direct address, especially to imply a patronizing camaraderie with the addressee: How are we feeling today?

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

But as Muhammad Ali once said, 'It's not bragging, if you can back it up'."

Its a little hard to get the nuances of speech across this kind of forum...and I WAS distressed when I strated this thread, so I thought I MAY have inadvertantly said something derogatory...but i'm glad its all good.

And now that i've had a coffee, some positive affirmation from friends online that its not just me, i'm already more relaxed, and i'm sure we'll work through this.

Stay safe all.

P.S. Yours was question that always makes me think...do I consider myself middle eastern? hard to explain because I seem to be straddling the fence between 2 worlds, and don't 100% belong to either.

But in all honesty, i'm probably MORE Canadian than Middle Eastern...after all we are all a product of our enviroment ;)

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Please speak for yourself, especially when you spout incomprehensible gibberish most of the time...apology unnecessary RR, if there's anyone who needs to apologize it's me...I took your sentence out of context...sorry! :)

Hummers_rock - "normal and acceptable to work 2 hours a day!!" You will get that status very soon. InShalLa :)

it's like in the movie "Funny Girl" with Barbra Streisand .. when they asked her whether she can roll skating, she said “sure I can!”.. so they put her in the show on stage right away to substitute one of the absent girls.. and of course, she failed to roll skate and spoilt all the show. When the manager got crazy and screamed: WHY DID YOU TELL THAT YOU CAN DO IT???”, she looked absolutely innocent, and she said: I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I CANNOT!!!

***********************

This too shall pass ...

Ragnarock- I feel your pain...my job in Doha is the most frustrating job I've ever, ever had....overworked, unappreciated, (can't even get on QL much during the day anymore *sigshs*) –however, that stuff I can handle and sadly am used to these things- what annoys me is the idiots who sit around doing nothing all day saying' inshallah' to EVERYTHING you ask them to do....then laugh at you thinking that work is a picnic....Oh and think it's normal and acceptable to work 2 hours a day!!

I guess people have different work ethics- something we have to live with...

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

Did it come accross that way? If it did I apologize for that Bajesus....i'm just trying to understand my co-workers mindset.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

I know the feeling and the frustration, Good Luck!

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

But as Muhammad Ali once said, 'It's not bragging, if you can back it up'."

I'll keep you posted, but i'm not anticipating any problems....nothing a late night tonight can't solve

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

He didn't mention race at all. So don't go there..

How many nations compose Middle Eastern?

Do you know How to use Excel Bajesus?

We don't need no more inflammatory responses.

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

But as Muhammad Ali once said, 'It's not bragging, if you can back it up'."

But have lived most of my life in Canada....sometimes middle eastern customs and practices just seem so alien to me =(

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Good luck in the presentation.

I love adding those confusing Formulas....

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

But as Muhammad Ali once said, 'It's not bragging, if you can back it up'."

or only when it's convenient?

RR - apply for a job in dubai :)

RGR, sorry to hear this. insyaallah is the answer for everything here...

Everybody is right and Everybody is wrong, its depend where you stand

But there are days where I regret my decision to come here....at least if I was being well compensated for my efforts I would grit my teeth and bare it....call it a sacrifice to secure a future...but this is just not worth the hassle at the end of the day....i'm SERIOUSLY considering leaving once my CPA course is up (at the beginning of next year).

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

I got a wife and kid to take care of...not to mention i'm halfway through my CPA course (which cost a fortune)...so i'm not resigning just yet.

But I do sometimes feel overworked, underpaid, and worst of all unappreciated....makes me wonder if i'm getting the short end of the stick so to speak lol

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

It is not just you, I heard the same from one of the high officials in one ministry - he has more than 3000 employees and complains to that he has to control everything himself no matter who he delegates this results on him working evenings and weekends. When he has to travel the post and letters are staled high on his desk and many things have just remained the same as when he left.

I had a secretary who can not type a leeter without mistakes after 7 proof readings. Can not sack him beacause he was a reletive of the Finance Manager. I was so frustraded so resigned from the job.

But in order to train people they have to ADMIT they don't know something....and this seems to be a rarity here!

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Maybe as someone said, its because they fear losing a job that drives people to lie, but this way you risk MY job too, as I am ultimately responsible! If you are not qualified or unable to perform the taks of that job, you won't hold on to it indefinetly anyways.

I don't mind organizing, leading, or even pitching in to help out if someone needs it...but this one man show thing is starting to get old!

Sometimes I just feel like saying: just let me do the whole thing anyway since I have to double check everyone's work...it'll go faster!

And charansoi11, I don't know about here, but that's a quick way to get fired back home lol.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

As I said to you some employees have other qualities, which doe not excuse him for not informing you. However, if he is otherwise a good employee make sure he gets plenty of practice using Excel otherwise advise him to go and take a course.

Sacking is never the right decision - then you will have to train another person again.

I find sometimes here that managing a team is more like babysitting then anything else. Back home if someone is hired to do a job you assume they know how to do it, but here it seems like you have to hold their hand ALL the time. Especially since, as manager, you're basically responsible and have to take the fall if someone in your team fails to do their job.

"I am not a pretty girl, that is not what I do, I ain't no damsel in distress and I don't need to be rescued. So put me down punk, I'm not a maiden fair, maybe there's a kitten stuck up a tree somewhere." Ani Difranco

RR - You got to ask for it and then repeat every 2 weeks until you get it :)

As it is I think i'm underpayed (the slary package I was offered was good 2 years ago, but since them my rent has almost doubled and my salary has not budged!)....not to mention the 60 hour work week.....oh and then I had to go sign up for night courses to do my CPA....this feels like a whole NEW rant coming on! LOL i'm just lucky my wife is understanding and supportive....Ijust miss her and my baby daughter sometimes.....feels like I never get to see them anymore =(

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

RR - "the one man showing becoming the norm, as I am not superman)..." demand a salary increment to compensate the additional work load :)

shhhhhh charan...you know a lot...:D and hey, look whose talking..:P

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

Owen - at least RR company is fortunate to have a somebody(RR) working but your co. is so unfortunate to have non working, gossiping QL surfer like you on their pay. Total waste of money :)

and that's what's going to happen.....but I just want to avoid the dangers owen was mentioning (the one man showing becoming the norm, as I am not superman)...AND, more importantly, trying to understand why poeple do this sort of thing....is there a social stygma attched to saying I've never done it before, can somenone show me how please?

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Team co-ordinataion is often difficult and perhaps he thought he would find someone to help him do the sheet, and yes they are sometimes ashamed to admit the can't do something.

It is better to be proactive in such a case and check out if he really can do it, it will not take him long to learn if he is shown the ropes properly and will be an asset to you in the future.

We employed one lady 6 months ago who said she could type 60 wpm and in fact at the test we found out she did not know the keys on the keyboar, now through constant teaching from our department she is doing complicated diagrams in excel not to mention how she is with powerpoin and visio.

Better you know the situation now and support him if he is good in other things, sacking someone who already knows the job (I think)is not an option.

they (your company) must be grateful having you around...but you see with the one-man thing, it is not a good idea (sometimes), coz your staff will tend to look up on you all the time and not put their best foot forward knowing that somehow someone would save their azzes during pressure time...you got my point? :)

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

Don't worry if i'm pulling an all nighter, then so he is he! In fact I offered to teach him and he took me up on it, so that's encouraging at least.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

I just wanted to make sure he knows that if we blow the deadline, he's potentially putting everyone's job at risk!

It just still puzlles me why they do that? No one back home would dream of falsifying a CV and then lying to someone's face when asked and assigned a project!!

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Charan, saking is not the solution & Ragna this behaviour is not only with middle easterners. It is the fear of loosing a job by revealing the truth when u have bluffed during interview.

This thing is done by all of us whether w.r.t to excel sheets or otherwise. Better would be to sit with this guy after ur presentation is over. Any nly this guy. u can have a meeting with all ur company employees. from receptionist to the top most post and make a list of trainings / upgradation required for all.

This will be along with a warning that after that meeting no more bluffing in office and if at all u still have a bluffer, fire him/her then.

right now upgrade the people u have and also YOU work the whole night in office and make him sit with u and learn. he will curse u but thatz the way i would have acted.

[img_assist|nid=60386|title=.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

At least its comforting to know that we are not the ONLY company experiencing this....puzzling as it may be!

Don't worry about the deadline....my company (my department at least) feels like a 1 man show....not to boast or anything, but i'm ahead of the entire team combined lol....I have to wait for some other parts before I can begin prep of the final presentation....but i'll be busy tonight for sure =p.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

Make sure you call this guy into your office and very nicely but firmly inform him that if something like this ever occurs again, ie, not informing you of lack of knowledge of something he has SAID he knows how to do...that he will lose his job. Plain and simple..then follow through.

Pride goeth before a fall...seems to fit in this occasion.

Good luck and hope you aren't up too late tonight!

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

--Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Even if that decision rested with me, I woudn't fire someone for not knowing something, I just don't understand why he is not upfront about it? Was it ego?

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

this is the issue here..we got a lot of that in our company...see, it's illogical to put things like this on your CV when you not know nothing at all...else you will jeopardize the department, company...this is different from the view point that you are fast learner and can learn these things during the course of work admission...not good at all, company is not a place for you to provide learning experience..but to gain additional work experience..

sorry for blabbering here..coz i just recently experienced that..

now RR, go back to work and you got a deadline to meet..:)

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

Sack the bugger on the spot :)