When Honesty Fails

I needed to control four different browser windows on one computer and three 6 foot screens. The technology department and programmers told me it was impossible. My boss said it would be difficult to get funding approved since it was only a good idea.

I know that MS Windows, except for NT, can support several video cards. Javascript and VB can support controls for different windows. In short, I could script a web page in which one page controls the other 3 windows in which information is displayed. This way someone could sit at a computer and control the asp pages being shown on the 3 6 foot displays.

I scripted a demo page but did not have a machine to show the multi-video card approach. People began digging in and fighting more exclaiming I was telling them how to do thier jobs.

There were ardent and heated discussions. Every flaw was drawn out. The programmers, I should point out these guys only use RAD packages and most do not know the business end of coding, fought it. They issue was it was a coding nightmare and difficult to support.

To-date we still have our need and no one has a solution.

Sounds like the BOSS is finally realizing your actual worth to the company. This puts you in a good negotiating position come contract time. When it comes to honesty, I am brutal. I will tell a client, in no uncertain terms, the reason their computer isn't working is because they don't know how to operate it correctly. However, even I know that a little diplomacy is worth a lot, so my actual words are not so harsh. You should take the same approach when negotiating! Know your limits! Be confident in you area of expertise, and keep your eye out for better oppotunities.

The truth tends to be seen through a kaliescope confusing the issues.

In many ways, people tend to have small minds and a narrow focus. They lose sight of anything beyond 3 inches from thier nose. They have family issues and personal issues before they even come to work. Many have thier own agendas at work.

One router manager is extremely arrogant. His mind set is that everyone is an idiot and only his way of thinking is right. In fact, he refuses to even acknowledge people frequently when they talk to him. When pressed to talk he will refer people to others.

While implementing a WAN management cell, I had to work closely with him and it was like talking to a stonewall. I knew what I needed and even knew the correct technical solutions. Whenever I suggested these solutions he ignored me. Things moved really slow. There was no feedback. I had to milk the cow to get any information from him and he would just stare at the wall with his back to me telling me only what he thoughtI needed to know. Very terse answers.

I needed to have end-to-end information resolution and in his mind all I needed was to the router. This was like running 99 yards and stopping. Moreover, he fought ardently for just that.

One might think he has a high IQ and he may even think that he does. But I never saw any genius in him. In fact, I saw quite the opposite having known many who have IQ's beyond 160 including my own father.

After a ling time of dealing with people who do not thoroughly understand the technology business it's easy to become cynical. And if someone only understands a certain facet (like router boy?) they become territorial. When you barge in proposing to do the undoable project, you threaten their standing and possibly the whole peer group. Now it has become a matter of professional honor, and they can't lose face. Hence, the attitude that it can't be done or stonewalling.
What can you do? Accept as fact that you will not be able to help everyone and not all of your solutions will be accepted with open arms. As you move up in the corporate world you will be required to participate in the petty (and not so petty) political games that go on every day. How you deal with these issues will determine how far up the ladder you get. Your boss appears to be mentoring you on this subject, which might indicate he believes you are ready to move up. Altruism is nice but in the cold light of day it's how you interact with your co-workers in accomplishing set goals that will determine your future.

It seems you are talking more about loyalty than honesty.

It would be nice if every employee put their loyalty in the work place to the whole organization, and then down to their own organization.

Too many people put their own personal power above loyalty to the organization and feel that anyone who steps on their turf is violating them personally. I see this as company disloyalty. Most people who make suggestions are trying to improve the overall organization and thus increase organizational value.

Always be on the lookout for those who have two sets of rules, one for themselves and one for others.

Then there are the politicians who never want to be associated with anything contraversal, so opposing someone who is acting against the organizational interests is forbidden in their eyes, and is most change, regardless of whether it is good for the organization or not.

Sigh, Billions of dollars each year are wasted by the foolishness that goes on.

Humor is the best medicine.

Honesty is the best policy.

Diplomacy is the best approach.

Maxwell