I was stupid enough to think that when I was asked something in a meeting they wanted an honest answer. I dared suggest that we can't expect to keep customers if we keep cutting our costs which affects customer service and trying to squeeze more and more out of customers with no justification. That comment didn't make me very popular, to say the least. I guess being a yes-man and toeing the company line isn't optional, it's mandatory.
23 replies (most recent on top)
If you are a sheep and yes man, you will be reward and move up in the management.
Always go with the smiling Bobbleheads look.
This is what will get you promoted or at least allow you stay off of the layoff radar, for a while anyway. Unfortunate, but this behavior is endemic to the company we work for.
Ha! Rookie mistake. We’ve all been there a few times and some of us have momentary lapses that cost us the same. The key to success as an individual at this company is keeping your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself. The quickest way to overwhelm yourself with action items here is to speak your mind or offer an opinion. At that point, you bought whatever “it” is until the very end, regardless of whether you wanted “it” or not. Just the way it works.
Always go with the smiling Bobbleheads look. And always say “ good idea”. The Yes man gets ahead or at least keeps his job.
It’s nice to see people that care enough to ask the hard questions, but, as others posted here, it’s not always well received to question leadership strategies. A better approach is to provide suggestions to implement improvements,, like removing unnecessary steps in your processes to save time. Saving time = saving money. Otherwise, if you don’t have positive suggestions it’s best to keep your comments to yourself, unfortunately.
Stay low and take the dough. Don't make any waves as this is highly political and no one is interested in hearing things are being done wrong
Don’t go. They won’t notice.
Man you poor soul. We all have to learn that lesson. High IQ people ask the hard questions and want to fix things. Sadly these folks usually don’t have the social intelligence to know not to ask those questions.
Identifying and fixing problems will land you in the outcast or blackballed land. Ask me how I know. Definitely don’t ask the senior leaders about something your bosses have likely been covering up the whole time. OMG!
Bottom line, the bosses only want sales and marketing. Fixing customer service issues is just a cost center. They don’t want to invest in any of that. Add some more duct tape and zip ties and move along. And how dare you actually produce some results in fixing problems and be at the top of the list on the KPIs dashboard. It makes the sales and market folks look bad and the senior leaders likely have no clue what that is when they get asked. They REALLY don’t like that.
Former coworker was like you…always asked what he thought were ‘tough questions’ meant to put his bosses ‘on the spot’. Lots of people would pat him on the back…’yeah bro’. But nobody was shocked or surprised when he was ‘performance managed’ out of his job - after 10 years. He showed ‘em. LOL
Keep it up ask those questions in public to those in charge. I did it for 30 years. Put them on the spot for an answer. Don't pay any attention to what others say, they are just jealous and scared to ask those questions.
This is a common issue…many adult employees don’t know how to present their ideas/information in a manner that is appropriate and not offensive. I’ve witnessed colleagues asking inappropriate questions to leadership during open mike/town hall type events. It does not make you ‘popular’ but instead show just how ignorant you are. Determine what to say and when to say or ask questions. Peace!
The Titanic is sinking and you're the band leader. Just quit talking and keep playing that sweet music.
The most knowledgeable AT&T employee I have ever met, and is considered management has had his employment threatened because he would not wear a tie. I am not kidding. He is responsible for the power systems in a large territory of AT&T. This is the type of people we work for.
Taking management is re-branding yourself sir lick a lot! Golf clap!!!!
Who is old Austin?
You could also pay attention to Heritage Wealth financing, take a financial peace university course live like no one else today and quit this COJ (cr@ppy old job) I did and it's fantastic! No vax mandates, no town hall meetings, no listening to my manager reinvent the wheel from 1960. Or keep nodding and be part of the problem with AT&T.
Welcome to AT&T's version of corporate socialist groupthink. Just smile and nod, say "that's a genius idea Mr. [your chain of command on up to the big Stinky].
If you find that you are unable to live in a world of ridiculous collectivist fantasy and consume your daily ration of AT&T flavored Kool Aid every day, you may not be cut out for this place. It may be time to cut your losses and move on to a company run by people that live and breathe in the real world, not the sick AT&T metaverse.
Here is a tip, ask questions about future projects.
Never, ever, discuss or mention any existing problems with process or people. The result will always be why aren't you doing anything about it, and why are you bringing problems and not solutions.
Just nod up and down and have your vaccination card ready to display your compliance.
Well at least you learned a lesson.
Years ago we had a "skip level" with the 4th level. Still don't know how a 1st level skip level includes 2nd & 3rd levels but.......
I was a 1st level and a 3rd level friend of the family called me and told me to nod, listen and don't speak, keep my ideas to myself.
We all attended this skip level and the 4th asked for comments/questions and a few unknowing stated some true facts. The 4th level went into a tirade, called us malcontinents, threated those that spoke out, slammed his briefcase, cursed us and slammed the door on his exit. By the time I got back to my office, I had probably 10 VM's from other1st level manager's that were scheduled later in the month as well as my friend the 3rd level and a few 2nd levels. That meeting was famous in Richardson, Tx. Old Austin pulled a temper tantrum and when the others attended their meetings no one, I mean no one spoke up.
Moral of story is that management goes thru the motions but they don't care, they don't want to hear the truth, they have no intention of repairing issues - So learn from this - don't speak, don't express opinions, nod your head and you just might survive.
remember the former head of wireless resigned over being guilty of extra charges on customer's mobile bills.
so you just went against their main business model.
it is okay as long as they don't get sued. I guess that is why they have lawyer in charge of technical people.
Why say anything?
They couldn't care less what you think.
All you did was put a target on your back.
Sit there.
Pretend to pay attention.
Nod often.
Say nothing except "Great idea", "Excellent", "Interesting" and "Insightful"
Be as insincere as they are.
Smile and wave.