Re: FWD: Challenging and oppressive SME situation

Subject: Re: FWD: Challenging and oppressive SME situation
From: Gary Robinson <GGR2 -at- CHRYSLER -dot- COM>
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 15:07:12 -0400

To Whom It May Concern,

I've been is similar situations. One lasted for over 5 years before I
could get out. I hope the following helps.

Your main problem isn't with the demonSME. You can't change her and it's
likely her employers are fully unaware of what she's like. If they
won't/can't change the situation you have no option other than to survive
it with your reputation as a professional intact. You do this by
communicating and documenting what is happening and making sure that you
conduct yourself, at all times, as a mature, capable, professional person
.

Communicate to your boss what is happening but don't personalize it. Even
though the SME appears to launching personal attacks on you, express to
your boss your concern that her actions deopardize the timely and
successful completion project . This is your boss' main concern, not your
feelings.

You have already learned the value of documenting change requests. Use
sign-off sheets where the SME has to affirm that the document is correct
and complete as presented or to markup the document and return it. Keep
previous versions, and all marked up copies, of the document in a secure
place. Produce them whenever necessary, and as often as necessary, for
your boss, her boss, anyone who needs to know. Write post-meeting memos
expressing your understanding of what was agreed on and asking specifically
for confirmation.

Finally, you can be in charge of this situation. Stop being a victim! How
you conduct yourself is of primary importance. If you act in a calm,
controlled manner, even during attacks by the SME, other people will view
you as being a capable professional. This might seem difficult but once
you start it gets easier and your worklife becomes better. Besides, this
SME is probably receiving a good deal of pleasure at your discomfiture.
Why allow it to continue? If she finds you to be unflappable she loses the
gratification her actions bring her.

Summarizing:

1. Focus on the job, not your feelings, while you are at work. If
necessary you can kung-fu the furniture into submission when you are at
home but at work be the calm, capable, consummate professional. Others
view of you is formed by your actions.

2. Create as large and as thorough a paper trail as you can. You, like
all consultants, will need to prove to people that you are not just a
whiner or in over your head and looking for a scapegoat.

3. Set "victory conditions" for yourself. Even though all sorts of
vengeance schemes will come to mind, your victory will come in terms of
successfully completing the project with your reputation and sanity intact
and having maintained a good relationship with your employer.

Regards,

Gary G. Robinson, MA
Technical Communications Consultant
Norrell Information Services - Detroit


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