Current Events > Why don't managers want you "solutioning" in meetings?

(+) Yeah! (+)

So many meetings people will actually want to talk about how to fix something, and managers will just cut them off. They say it's a brainstorming meeting, and then you'll never hear anything about it ever again

Many employers/managers really do not want smart workers.

They can't cope with the idea that a lowly employee might have better ideas than they do, or they want to steal the idea and claim the credit/reward.

Its a meme for a reason.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/e8c5333f.jpg

TMOG posted...

They can't cope with the idea that a lowly employee might have better ideas than they do, or they want to steal the idea and claim the credit/reward.

Well it's usually the engineers who want to solution, and it's their job so it's normal. I just don't get why managers will just host a meeting to talk about problems and then never form any action steps. It's like just talking to talk.

Squall28 posted...

Well it's usually the engineers who want to solution, and it's their job so it's normal. I just don't get why managers will just host a meeting to talk about problems and then never form any action steps. It's like just talking to talk.

As an engineer, I've just taken the manager's solution. Then I offer them my own but tell them that I won't know if it works. Let's do yours first. I already know that theirs will fail. So I work on both mine and theirs. Once they start seeing the failure, I just tell them mine is ready to go before you speak with your boss. They say go ahead at that point. I do. The boss eventually stops giving ideas or let's me do as they hired me to do.

Squall28 posted...

Well it's usually the engineers who want to solution, and it's their job so it's normal. I just don't get why managers will just host a meeting to talk about problems and then never form any action steps. It's like just talking to talk.

Some people like to feel like theyre doing something.

Not my experience at all. Managers always want solutions and concrete path forwards on issues.

'Solution' being turned into a verb is peak business babble.

It depends on the situation. Sometimes they want everyone to take some time and think vs trying to immediately come up with something on the spot. I have an issue with coming up with a solution on the spot, but I have learned it is better to stop and think of the full solution, strengths & weaknesses, timeline, etc and not just spout out something half assed

I want to guess is that the managers need to look busy and productive without putting themselves in a situation that leads to more work.
If the problem had a prompt solution, then those managers mights be expected to increase productivity.

Just sounds like bad management.

Scardude posted...

As an engineer, I've just taken the manager's solution. Then I offer them my own but tell them that I won't know if it works. Let's do yours first. I already know that theirs will fail. So I work on both mine and theirs. Once they start seeing the failure, I just tell them mine is ready to go before you speak with your boss. They say go ahead at that point. I do. The boss eventually stops giving ideas or let's me do as they hired me to do.

This is actually genius psychology. Props to you for having that kind of patience and forethought.

Is the purpose of the meeting to find a solution right then and there? There's value in presenting an issue and then letting people think on it for a day or two before presenting solutions.

Some bad managers just keep themselves as far away from the actual workflow as possible and stay limited to just "managing" the people that will make all the changes on their own. Really shitty for morale tbh.

Raikuro posted...

Some bad managers just keep themselves as far away from the actual workflow as possible and stay limited to just "managing" the people that will make all the changes on their own. Really shitty for morale tbh.

Not nearly as bad for morale as the bad managers who keep meddling in everything and making it worse. I can respect a boss who backs off and lets me handle my job on my own, considering that's what they pay me for.

bsp77 posted...

It depends on the situation. Sometimes they want everyone to take some time and think vs trying to immediately come up with something on the spot. I have an issue with coming up with a solution on the spot, but I have learned it is better to stop and think of the full solution, strengths & weaknesses, timeline, etc and not just spout out something half assed

I think this is more of what they're going for, but there's never any follow up. It's like we meet to talk about it, and that's it.

This is part of why I hate Robert's Rules of Order.

synth_real posted...

Not nearly as bad for morale as the bad managers who keep meddling in everything and making it worse. I can respect a boss who backs off and lets me handle my job on my own, considering that's what they pay me for.

Having some clue about the job doesn't always mean micromanaging

Squall28 posted...

I think this is more of what they're going for, but there's never any follow up. It's like we meet to talk about it, and that's it.

Well, that's a problem. When they say to "not problem solve right now", my company does expect a solution in the near future.

Raikuro posted...

Having some clue about the job doesn't always mean micromanaging

Micromanaging more of than not, is someone justifying their postition.
If they were doing their job Micromanaging wouldn't be necessary.

Sometimes, you have to spend time trying to figure out the actual problem, instead of rushing to solve the problem you think you have.

Wow, my previous work place had a different problem on the opposite end. Everyone would point out what the issue was, but no one would actually give any solution to those issues because the work culture was "if you suggest it, you fix it". Basically if you give a solution to a problem, you'll be the one in charge to do it and if it doesn't work...YOU would be accountable for it.

ai123 posted...

'Solution' being turned into a verb is peak business babble.

It doesnt sit well with me