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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on IT managers: Stop making excuses for the jerks on your team ]]></title>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I am a recovering Jerk....I think]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3476713]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[1) I was hired to do a job2) You were hired to do a job3) When your boss allows you to be a failure, that should not result in additional work on my Department.4) When it does, we see what it takes to get the job completed successfully. (slight grumble)5) When you know that your job is now on the line because of your inability to adapt to a changing work enviroment, do not start back-stabbing my Department; the same Department that saved the day when your boss allowed you to work on being a failure. (grumbling a little more audible)6) Complaining to HR? Really? Because you were asked to explain how you are supposed to complete a process? A process you do everyday; like 30 or 40 times a day! But we are the bad guys for making you feel inadequate. (warming up the pipes!!)7) Called in to HR. Told that my attitude is upsetting (insert untrained employee name, or 'best friend' manager type name here). Explain situation, and quickly realize that my chest (yes, I am male) doesn't offer the HR Manager anything to divert his attention to while talking. 8) Resigned to the fact that compaines allow and encourage managers and employees to be complete failures........................let the screaming being.Have a great day!   ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3476713]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[econrad]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:31:28 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Really Superb]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3462501]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[What you told is obviously correct. But when you reach the position of manager you to think like a psycho and indulge in your teams personal life and start commenting on it too.It must change. Really awsome post. Keep it up]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3462501]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[windson_pandurao]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:10:56 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Getting to what core?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461952]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Really nice paragraph! I believe it totally, but there are cases in which this will not work, especially if your manager has a very bad mental problem. I bought the book titled, &quot;Working With You Is Killing Me&quot; and read it cover to cover. I tried everything in the book and nothing worked. You have never met anyone like this! Yes you have experienced the occasional jerk and I wish my manager was a jerk, because that would have been more human than what I had experienced. My manager was being protected by the company owner, because the manager managed not only the IT department (2 person, manager and me), but the company Microsoft Access database and the ADP system. I was scheduled to be trained in the ADP system, but...you guessed it. My 5 years working with this manager has caused me to be hospitalized twice (stress related) and was finally prescribed daily medication to deal with my manager. All this culminated in my lay off in 2010. I must say, I didn't want to be without work, but I was relieved it was over. You might be saying, &quot;well why didn't you seek other work?&quot;. No one wants an older IT worker, and if you are not there yet, you will find out in time.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461952]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[flashtube1]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:48:02 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[I just realized something Toni]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461693]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Toni,Excellent article.  KittyK4t, so I guess your line of thinking is that an arrogant SOB (no matter how arrogant, and gifted), should be able to disrupt an office (or belittle other employees) ?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461693]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[ac7437@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:54:17 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[I just realized something Toni]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461659]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I truly hate you. I really do. I don't like to hate people, but, you're just so.... bad. It's like you roll up every apologist trait in society into one gigantic ball of epic failure. You see, I would agree with your articles in general and on principle, except they always have the slant this one has:&quot;The real problem is the people who actually contribute things&quot;You may not realize it, but the way your article is worded, it's an indictment against talented people. Should they be arrogant and ****** towards people? No, but the reality is that it's often this type of person who is the cult of personality around which clients and projects hang. This is usually due in no small part to the fact that technical/real skill is frequently coupled with a strong personality. I have far more of an issue with people who are jerks, and are also do nothings. I only care about big mouths if they don't have big talent to back them up. I'm really tired of feelings and emotions driving business, that's the number on cause of business failure and useless, retired in place employees. I would rather deal with an egotist for a year than the guy who relies on HR to solve all his problems and never attempts to arbitrate anything with coworkers before escalating it for a single day.I can summarize the reason that behavior is generally tolerated: The talented and the gifted produce and make money. Business isn't about well-wishing, charity, good intentions or feelings. It's about making sure everyone has a job, and the work gets done. Get over it.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461659]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ternarybit]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:52:36 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[I see a lot of excuses...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461217]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I see a lot of people defending bosses and employees who's treatment of people is less than acceptable. I agree that if your boss is a Jerk it will affect the overall moral and productivity of the team. As one person said this might be the secret sauce to a successful chicken joint, but in corporate it wouldn't translate over so well. If you are an ass to everybody under you, expect a lot of private complaints and a meeting with HR. Any good company worth its weight in shillings would have a policy in place for such behavior, and a means to rectify it quickly. As for teams, I do not believe workers are just servants, A servant has no rights, and must take whatever a master dishes out without question. No, a member of a team is an employee, and like I said before has the right to do his job without being harassed on a regular basis. Unnecessary rudeness is just that.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461217]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael2238]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:02:39 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[mindilator, that was inspirational!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461090]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I am such a jerk that I copied and posted your words next to my computer screen.  See, sometimes I forget to be a jerk and end up fuming about having to cancel weekend plans or working into the dead of night while my openly jerky co-worker never sees the office after 4:00pm because I worry about being &quot;nice always&quot; and &quot;working and playing well with others&quot;.   Well, not anymore, thanks to you.  I guess I can smile while I tell him what to do with it, though, can't I?However, I'm not enough of a jerk to post it next to my computer without properly crediting you for your clarity and sanity. Seriously, you need to publish it as a motivational/mental health/inspirational poster!  Think about it.  Every IT person would buy one.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3461090]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kismet'sMom]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:12:59 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Culture of jerkiness]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3460337]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[@rtfm-please you're so right. If the people at the top enforce their authority with intimidation or just plain bad manners, that becomes the company culture.Pres. Obama has his detractors (including me) but he shows terrific grace under pressure. I would follow him into a firefight. If he was my boss and called me in to discuss my jerky behavior, I would feel ashamed and the effect would be lasting.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3460337]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Shadeburst]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:15:56 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[In response]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459796]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[solely to the title, and not specifically to Toni:Why not?  We make excuses for jerks everywhere else.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459796]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[boxfiddler]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:51:28 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[You Go Jerk!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459715]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[EXACTLY! Although the &quot;truth will set you free&quot; in today's workplace more often you encounter those &quot;can't handle the truth!&quot;  on all levels - superiors and subordinates!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459715]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nightscribe]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:07:22 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Jerks]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459191]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA['stuff' begins at the top- smack the exec p's and vp's, ceo's first, then middle mgt and so on and so on, before worrying about the little teams!  remember us- we are just the worthless servants!  who cares anyway?  isnt the point to screw the customer out of every dime and piss them off too!  please read the terms and conditions located in the library of congress.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3459191]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rtfm-please]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:45:34 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Make Managers accountable]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458912]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[You will see my other comments about HR being atrocious, and jerk Managers.I was a lead analyst, and the vast majority of the staff, would do what the Manager said, even if they knew it was dumb.HOWEVER, what the managers would do is -- Take credit for good things, even though a staff member should have got the credit.- Avoid being accountable for their mistakes.If I could only introduce a couple of changes to environments, they would be -- Dismissal for lying- Accountability for ManagersAccountability for everyone, would be nice]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458912]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rob C]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:54:22 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Jerks on the management]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458871]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[What about the other way round? what does happen if the jerk is not an employee but the employeer or your boss?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458871]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[mhorlandi@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:09:02 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[JERKS ON THE TEAM]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458818]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I symphathise with people whose bosses are jerks. I think they should never lead teams and companies should realise the disruption it causes, not to mention morale and unproductivity it creates. If these people need to be kept in the company, do it by other means. Leadership roles should only be given to people with proven leadership skills because that is quality that cannot be truly learnt.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458818]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[newhorizon7]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:20 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Stop eating chicken over there!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458817]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[The problem will endure until the day people decide to stop eating at the jerk's place. But... will them? Will shareholders stop investing their money on jerk-powered good performing companies? No, they will not! Will managers stop excusing jerks who deliver what pay them their beloved bonuses? No, they will not!Depressed? Get a life!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458817]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[emaildofabiano@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:58:27 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[love it]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458829]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[@mindilator - couldn't have said it better ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458829]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[tarose.trevor@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:52:25 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[spot on]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458827]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[i am a jerk, i admit it. i will always let you know where you stand with me. i do it out of respect for you, because i believe in the golden rule and i crave behavioral feedback instead of talking behind my back at the watercooler or in your IMs to the snickering idiot sitting next to me.i am a jerk because i tell you what to do to yourself when you oh-so-politely request that i should do your job. not talking about favors, i'm talking about taking on responsibility. i'm a jerk because i throw my weight around when the people carrying out the process before mine decide to go home on time, leaving me to stay late the next day to make the deadline. i call that spending my free time like it's your money, and to normal people outside of work (we never work with normal people, do we) i put up a nasty fight for my rights when that's tried. to you, i glower and make sarcastic comments meant to throw your own guilt back in your face, because you obviously seem to think it's ok to treat me like this.i'm a jerk because i put a mirror up to your own bad behavior -- only i expose it for what it is, and not the surface politeness it hides behind. on the other hand, when you do right by me i talk you up to my peers and buy you drinks at company outings. you'll forget all about that, though, the next time i tell you to do your own job.i'm a jerk because i have no tolerance for you being a jerk to me. being nice is NOT(!!!!!!!) the most important thing in business. getting **** done, done right the first time, and done on time, are the most important things. if this isn't happening because you are cheerfully heaving your responsibility onto a more talented coworker, making them stay late, taking your complaints straight to their boss instead of them first, and basically ignoring their humanity, then you deserve whatever bad mojo you get from them. it's nobody's obligation to make you feel good about yourself. eff you if you ever thought it was. because when you produce that kind of workplace bull$#!+ you produce your hated &quot;jerks.&quot; fix your attitude and i'll fix mine promptly.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458827]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[mindilator@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:33:23 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[The core?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458781]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I had the unpleaseant experience of working around a jerk. It was his daily mission to &quot;stir the pot&quot;, &quot;throw a wrench&quot;, and do what ever it took to make someone's day miserable. The word that he was a &quot;real nice guy&quot; outside of work did me no good. He would tell people he was intentionally a jerk in the office because he felt it was in HIS best interest. So to try and find out what life situation might have caused him to act this way is far beyond what any employee should have to think about. I did not take my job to figure out someones persona to better deal with him. I think it's high-time we turn the tables and make these jerks stop their behavior in the workplace. My jerk retired and the entire IT staff let out a huge sigh of relief and our daily work lives are more pleseant without the jerk. Only about a half dozen left . . .The Chicken-Nazi. . .there are too many places to buy chicken. I won't give my hard earned money to a jerk. . .I'd rather not eat. Now, if his customers take my cue. . .  As a society we pander too much to the &quot;special&quot; people by allowing and forgiving bad behavior because they might have &quot;special&quot; talents. Atheletes are sometimes a perfect example of &quot;special&quot; treatment.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458781]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jimmeq]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:33:11 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[the gun is pointing in the wrong direction]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458763]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[The rude co-worker isn't the problem. The problem is the manager. Of course the manager knows he/she should deal with the issue. Writing an article about the issue isn't going to cause a weak manager to spontaneously grow a spine. My manager is MUCH more likely to tell me to address the issue myself than to stand up to the jerk causing the problem. This leaves the problem in the co-workers' court. Personally, I find that &quot;power words&quot; that cause HR people to have knee jerk reactions to have the best chance of getting results. &quot;Hostile work environment&quot; seems to work fairly well where I work....and it's really a great catch all because it's true. The jerks ARE causing the work environment to be hostile because THEY are hostile.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458763]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[dgoodale]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:28:09 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[So, where is this restaurant?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458738]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I want to try the Chicken Nazi's fried chicken!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-345111-3458738]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[SGEE]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:12:36 -0700</pubDate>
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