Office drones, I have a question

[frunk]

I don't know, I can't see not taking the call, particularly if it's a boss I don't directly report to.  I don't get calls that aren't important or at the least have some time sensitive nature to them.  A boss coming by who I'm not immediately involved with would be highly unusual and unlikely to be of the highest priority (that would go through my immediate superior).  I'm not responsible if he gets offended by my picking up a phone, although I would at least excuse myself for doing it and try to keep the call short.

[Ed Anger]

I despise the shut up finger flick they give when a phone call comes in.

Thank god I don't have to tolerate that shit much anymore.

[crazy canuck]

Maybe I am conflating two near-identical statements by you, but aren't you the boss in your scenario?  After all, you noted that a fellow employee better not take a phone call in your presence.

Yes you are getting confused.  I dont have fellow employees.  I am more like the boss that people rarely see coming to their work station.  If I do come to see someone during the day they know that it is not merely to "chat" but it is because I have something important to say to them.

If they are going to interupt what I have to tell them by taking a call it they would only do so if it was very important and, as Berkut said early, they would let me know it was so.

I give tasks out and I let my associates and support staff carry out those tasks.  I give them a great amount of independance and autonomy so a visit from me is literally not an everday event.

On the other hand people always drop by my office if they need further instructions or if they have questions.  I also do not take any phone calls when they come to my office.  I have voice mail for a reason.  If I am on the phone I indicate to people waiting outside my office how long I will likely be and they can judge for themselves whether they wish to camp outside my door or come back later.

They main exception to all of this is my secretary.  She pretty much runs my professional life and so she does whatever she wishes - including hitting me over the head if she needs to get my attention while I am on a call.

[DGuller]

Sounds very sensible.  I can see why you got to bill at such a high rate.

[Martinus]

In scenario 1, say "excuse me", pick up the phone, ask secretary who is on the line, if this is important (e.g. urgent transaction or otherwise urgent call), excuse myself and take the call; if it can wait, instruct my secretary that I'm in a meeting right now and will call back.

In scenario 2, usually won't quit a work-related phone call (unless it seems like there is an extreme urgency). If this is a private call, the decision whether to quit or not depends on the apparent urgency of the visitor and his or her rank.

[grumbler]

Maybe I am conflating two near-identical statements by you, but aren't you the boss in your scenario?  After all, you noted that a fellow employee better not take a phone call in your presence.

Yes you are getting confused.  I dont have fellow employees.  I am more like the boss that people rarely see coming to their work station.  If I do come to see someone during the day they know that it is not merely to "chat" but it is because I have something important to say to them.

  So I am confused because I am precisely correct:  you are the boss in your scenario? 

If they are going to interupt what I have to tell them by taking a call it they would only do so if it was very important and, as Berkut said early, they would let me know it was so.

I used to work for a guy like you:  if he was talking to you, and the customer called, you must answer, or the boss gets mad.  If it isn't the customer and you answer, the boss gets mad.  Of course, you don't know it is the customer until you answer.  Ditto for things like asking the customer a question (ask if the customer expects you to ask and don't if the customer doesn't).

Our (the team's) policy (which we kept until the asshole lost his job over his complete inability to lead a team) was to do exactly the opposite of what we did the previous time.  It was only correct half the time, but at least we had a policy (and in the face of jerks, that helps morale a lot). 

I reckon that, since you don't have fellow-employees, you aren't going to get fired, so the only thing your rules will do badly for you is maybe harm the retention of good people.

[ulmont]

I used to work for a guy like you:  if he was talking to you, and the customer called, you must answer, or the boss gets mad.  If it isn't the customer and you answer, the boss gets mad.  Of course, you don't know it is the customer until you answer.

Caller ID?

[garbon]

You can't always tell from caller id who it is.  Caller ID doesn't always list a name or even a number for that matter.

[Jaron]

I agree with grumbler. Your asshole tactics might make you feel big and important, but it sure does nothing for morale.

[crazy canuck]

I reckon that, since you don't have fellow-employees, you aren't going to get fired, so the only thing your rules will do badly for you is maybe harm the retention of good people.

Since I have retained all my associates (the most senior being an 8 year call) and my support staff have been with me since I was an associate I will take your comment for what it is worth.

[Ed Anger]

I agree with grumbler. Your asshole tactics might make you feel big and important, but it sure does nothing for morale.

Morale can be improved with more beatings.

[garbon]

Morale can be improved with more beatings.

[Jaron]

I agree with grumbler. Your asshole tactics might make you feel big and important, but it sure does nothing for morale.

Morale can be improved with more beatings.

Is that why something on your body is always busted up, "Wheels" ?

[Ed Anger]

I agree with grumbler. Your asshole tactics might make you feel big and important, but it sure does nothing for morale.

Morale can be improved with more beatings.

Is that why something on your body is always busted up, "Wheels" ?

I want a taco platter, no lettuce. Chop chop.

[Ed Anger]

No platter? You are fired J-Dawg. Security will escort you outside and dump your box of stuff in a puddle.