Questions tagged [management]
For questions about the tools and practices of management, including business management, project management, performance management and other management disciplines in the workplace.
356
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35
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How can I approach career development with a boss who doesn't seem to support this?
I really enjoy my current job. The team is friendly, my manager is friendly, and the work is challenging, interesting, and fulfilling. Because of this, I have no interest in leaving this company or ...
- 111k
107
votes
9
answers
18k
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How can we protest a deadline that is too short?
Our Project manager made a project's presentation and assigned it to our team. The amount of work was estimated at 3 weeks.
Our team members discussed the project and we calculated that the amount ...
- 1,424
24
votes
9
answers
5k
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Should I propose a big change as a newcomer?
I have been working in the IT department of a (relatively) small company for 2 months.
Recently the boss of another department (who is a former developer) told me that it would be nice if we started ...
- 351
93
votes
17
answers
173k
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How to proceed when remote boss doesn't answer emails?
My boss and I sit in different remote sites, several thousands of miles apart. We don't see each other often.
On several occasions in the last few months, I have sent him emails asking him for ...
- 6,055
28
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5
answers
3k
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How should I bring up working from home?
Working from home is becoming more and more common. If my work lends itself to remoteness, what's a good way to ask management to work from home from time to time?
Or is this not a reasonable thing ...
- 1,648
20
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6
answers
3k
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How do I respectfully go above my manager?
First off, this specific incident is about a volunteer organization, not necessarily a workplace... Having said that
I have two sets of managers directly above me: the management that funds, and the ...
- 981
9
votes
4
answers
5k
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Underpaid and overworked, how should I approach my boss? [duplicate]
About a two months ago a co-worker and I caught our superior embezzling money from the company. After consideration, we approached our boss and told him the whole story.
Our superior quit ...
- 111
18
votes
5
answers
7k
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How to push back on a management decision I know is wrong [duplicate]
Today I had a thirty minute presentation that was well researched and contained a lot of examples regarding why we need to change a data source which my research has found produces unreliable data ...
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12
votes
9
answers
5k
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Should I give a bigger notice period than what is required of me?
I am a contractor and my current contract ends on May 29. I have been in this position for a total of 3 contracts (including the current one), in contract lengths of 3 months, 3 months, and 6 months, ...
- 3,200
88
votes
12
answers
17k
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How do you explain to your boss they're wrong without making them feel threatened?
I work in software industry as a developer. My boss sometimes makes small mistakes when assigning tasks or reporting bugs. For example, he recently reported a bug caused by a virus on his computer to ...
31
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12
answers
13k
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How can I deal with an abusive manager who publicly belittles me?
I joined my job as an entry level programmer and my manager at the time agreed with me that I could attend college to increase my programming abilities. This would happen whilst working for him and ...
New Programmer
24
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2
answers
3k
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What are some best practices for creating an internship opportunity?
I'm in the fun position of getting to do some pie in the sky planning and advice giving. I certainly have my own opinions, but wanted to get ideas from the community.
Here's some useful facts:
the ...
- 80k
47
votes
7
answers
11k
views
Implementing something your boss has asked for, even if it's potentially a bad idea
For my company we are creating a private portal so the company can log in and get the information about their product from our website. My boss wants it to be that only people logging in from that ...
- 1,715
140
votes
6
answers
37k
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How to handle a coworker pretending to be my boss? [duplicate]
I have an odd situation: I have a coworker who acts like he's my boss. I've already confirmed with higher-ups that it's just not true.
He'll say all kinds of things like:
This is my department.
...
- 753
81
votes
12
answers
21k
views
My facebook wall is bothering some colleagues at work, do they have the right?
On my Facebook wall, as does everyone else, I post stuff that reflects my opinion about many things, including jokes, videos, posts, etc. They simply represent my thoughts and who I am. Sometimes I ...
user8959
43
votes
6
answers
19k
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My boss slapped me over a calculation error [closed]
My boss slapped me because My Excel file had a calculational error. I fixed the error and saved the file to the network. If I complain, I guess I will just get fired. But I don't want to work for ...
user5115
35
votes
5
answers
11k
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My manager always seems too busy to meet with me. How can I improve that?
He's a great guy, but it feels like he's always in meetings or going to conferences or on the phone on long calls. He has told me that he really enjoys those interactions. He and I work somewhat ...
- 11.3k
33
votes
5
answers
41k
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How do I professionally quit a job I've realized is not for me?
I'm currently working as a barista at Starbucks. I've only worked there for a week.
The manager made me cry yesterday after yelling at me when I messed up an order. I have no prior experience in this ...
- 347
21
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Performance review with a manager who doesn't know me?
Six months ago, I was reorganized under a different manager. My former manager (who has resigned) and I spoke almost daily, and as such, reviews flowed easily and were very effective. However, I have ...
- 343
38
votes
5
answers
16k
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How do I tell my boss I quit?
I know it sounds simple, but I'm finding it quite awkward to tell my boss I am leaving for another job. The main reasons for this are:
My boss is currently looking for more developers due to heavy ...
- 511
18
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How do I know when to contest a bad idea and when to let it go
I work as a designer for a software company, and work directly with developers on their newest and most important product. I am gaining a very good understanding of the software and how it works. ...
- 1,289
15
votes
4
answers
14k
views
How can I convince my boss that we need better machines? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I request new equipment for the office?
My boss strongly feels that if we keep the machines clean which to him means: not installing any unnecessary programs and ...
- 249
13
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How to bring up the desire to transition to another team?
I started my job here a little less than a year ago. We're a pretty small operations team, supporting a large number of teams within our organization. More specifically, my team consists of six ...
- 562
137
votes
7
answers
30k
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Why do companies not want to hire over qualified people?
I've heard stories of how people looking for jobs have been turned down by companies because they are over-qualified, even when they are willing to take a (sometime substantial) pay-cut.
Why do ...
- 1,103
33
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to correct a CEO's misunderstanding of a project?
A recent StackExchange podcast is a perfect illustration of a common problem.
Senior management is aware of a project or department several layers removed. Management may disagree with the value of ...
- 111k
10
votes
4
answers
13k
views
What to do after I finish all my tasks and my manager has no tasks to give me? [duplicate]
Sometimes, after I finish all my tasks, my boss has no tasks to give me. So I sit and feel bad I'm not doing anything. Additionally, I'm not sure if I can surf the Internet and mind my own business or ...
- 913
4
votes
2
answers
688
views
How to gain visibility in the workplace? [closed]
There is a great question on why you would generally want to gain visibility in the workplace: Why is it important to gain "visibility" in the workplace? But not much in the way of ...
- 14.5k
85
votes
13
answers
33k
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How to respond to, "How long will this take?" when in a new job position
I started a new job two weeks ago using technologies that are new to me. I was upfront from the start about what I did and did not know so there's no surprises.
I do a little of everything and so I ...
- 3,823
61
votes
4
answers
10k
views
How can I approach management when asked to work without a software license?
I need to use Windows at work and I do not have a valid license. When I talked to my boss about this he said I don't need it and to use it the way it is. I would rather not keep ignoring the warnings ...
- 853
52
votes
4
answers
13k
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Can my boss make me do manual labor if my job description is as the Office Manager?
I work for a landscaping company my friend owns. It’s a very small company (5 employees) and I was hired a few months ago to do light office work a few days a week.
Now that the spring season is ...
- 381
31
votes
7
answers
6k
views
How should reasonable, but unfavorable, time estimates be handled by a manager?
Presenting time estimates is a negotiation process: worker gives a high estimate, manager pushes to get the work done in a shorter period of time. However, besides this old-fashioned downward ...
- 421
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How can I tell if my shyness is an issue at a workplace?
I find myself to be excessively shy and at times, under-confident.
I am unable to network well or express my opinions the way I want to to my bosses.
Sometimes, my job (as a researcher) requires me ...
user186
13
votes
1
answer
13k
views
How to deal with bosses that expects too much
I am a trainee developer at a large (~120 people) web agency, about 7 days from passing my probation. During my interview and on the contract it says the work hours are from 9:30am to 6:30pm. I always ...
- 245
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How do you tell a business user politely that the work she's requesting has to come through my boss?
I have a customer that has been going through me to request work. All requests need to go through my manager before we can address them. I have already sent her 3 mails stating this.
The last 2 ...
- 239
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How to request the password on a company's laptop that is dedicated for me?
I started working with this startup company 5 months ago. From the first day I started, they got me a laptop dedicated for me and I have been using it since then.
last week, we had a push as we ...
- 8,763
3
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Changing a job in a company where people are fully dependent on me [duplicate]
In the beginning when I applied for the job - I've given an information that the only reason I'm coming to their company (which is a Software House) was because I got rejected from a dream job at the ...
- 39
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How do explain to my boss that I need time off for interviews, and why I am leaving? [duplicate]
I have been going through a transition period. I was looking after an elderly family member while working part time. He has now gone into a care home and I no longer receive anything for his care.
I ...
- 173
-2
votes
2
answers
331
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How to garner approval for tools to enable me to better perform my job duties? [duplicate]
I've been having a hard time at my current company getting access to sites, tools, and even internal data that is directly related to job duties I am expected to perform. This question sums up some of ...
- 2,129
135
votes
18
answers
51k
views
How to react when employee is not interested in career development?
I am a manager at a large tech company. Three months ago, all the managers at our company had career conversations with our team members.
One of my team members has expressed that she is not ...
- 961
125
votes
11
answers
41k
views
Can HR/Boss Require Your Username and Password?
We recently received this email at our work from the HR Department. We work in the healthcare industry and our username and password is linked to everything that we do. We have to follow strict HIPAA ...
- 1,051
79
votes
14
answers
17k
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How can I convince my colleague to call the help desk instead of contacting me directly?
This morning I received an email from a colleague, who doesn't want to call the help desk anymore, [we'll call him Joel.]
I manage a small team of IT professionals, responsible for the care and ...
- 7,878
71
votes
8
answers
64k
views
How to deal with an employee who ignores you
I am having an issue with an employee/former co-worker who is flat out ignoring me.
I work in a department in a college and for many years I worked as a student assistant. When I graduated I became a ...
- 651
42
votes
4
answers
8k
views
I will soon become the manager of a close friend. How do I be an effective manager and friend?
A close friend of mine will soon be moving into my department. We see each other outside of work and our significant others both work together at a different institution.
I want to be an effective ...
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33
votes
5
answers
7k
views
How can I show my boss that aiming only for quick wins is causing more problems than it solves?
A recent problem is that my boss is more worried about how our actions make him appear to the rest of the company than he is about the actual results of our work. For example he is willing to deliver ...
user5305
30
votes
8
answers
5k
views
How can frequent anxiety attacks affect me in business and the workplace?
I tend to get very stressed out about how things play out around me in the workplace. A lot of the stress and anxiety comes from high level decisions and changes made by management and executives ...
- 20.7k
28
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Dealing with rude senior colleagues
I have a colleague who holds a higher position than myself and is very very abrupt and rude, in particular to people who are in lower positions than she is. I believe the management dont really see ...
- 291
26
votes
4
answers
49k
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What is the purpose of 1-on-1 meetings with your direct leader/boss?
I have worked in places where one-on-one meetings (a meeting where only the boss and one other employee are present) are a weekly thing and topics can vary from "what did you do this weekend" to "do ...
- 1,434
24
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How can I get my colleagues to stop interrupting me?
I am the youngest and the least experienced member of my team of eight. Everyone else has at least six years' experience.
I have been observing that, for a long time now, whenever I try making a ...
- 807
19
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Managing very senior individual contributors?
I will be interviewing for a new position where I may be managing a software engineering team of very senior principal individual contributors (non-managers), like with 30+ years of experience. They ...
14
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to advocate a different approach to a project when office politics are involved in the decisions?
My group has found itself in the position of being forced to implement software projects in a technology that has proven to be a poor fit for the kind of work that we are being asked to do. Due to ...
- 939