Asked my opinion – need help 2

[JimmyZ1]

I've recently been asked my opinion on several key issues concerning IT development were I work. I've been waiting for these days for a long time. I do a lot of the work and very rarely get asked my opinion, and now that I am asked I find myself short of an answer. Is there a book I can read or maybe some default BS that I can hand over when the occasion arises?

Doh!!

 

[sleipnir214]

several key issues concerning IT development" is pretty broad. I don't think there is a single resource which would cover all of that.


And if you've been waiting for someone to ask your opinion, why would you hand over "some default BS"?



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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[ecobb]

I've been waiting for these days for a long time.

Why? If you've been waiting for this, there must be a reason why. What happend to make you say "Boy, I wish they would ask me what I thought about this!"? What do you find yourself working on the most? What could be done to make it better, or run smoother so you don't have to work on it so much? What's something that your company could really benefit from or needs to have updated?

I just thought I would throw some questions out there to start your gears turning...



Hope This Helps!

Ecobb

"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher

 

[JimmyZ1]

Thanks, yeah, I think it's just one of those I can't believe they asked.... I'm one of the younger people and having me in meetings with "the brass" sometimes I get those looks like what's he doing here. But lately they've been inviting me to meetings, asking me to put together opinions on software and showing me the respect I think i've earned and deserve. Thanks for the help, I'm sure it's just some stage fright I'll get over soon.

Doh!!

 

[SQLSister]

Clearly they like what they are hearing from you.

When asked for my opinion, I give it. (Shy? Me?, Not hardly.) If I don't know or think I need to research an issue, I say that. Credibility is important in getting your opinion sought after. I try very hard to follow up my opinion with reasons why and when I return to my office, I often send the questioner some facts or sources to validate my opinion. I'm just relentlessly analytical.

You have to judge the managers you work with, but most of mine appreciate hearing things from me that aren't necessarily what they want to hear as long as I go along with the ultimate decision even if I strongly disagreed with it. The time to argue is before the decision is made, not after. Usually I also identify when there is a problem and what I'm doing to fix it. Managers don't like to be blindsided either.

Course you also have to realize there are those managers who prefer BS and who only promote those who tell them what they want to hear. Since I couldn't live with myself if I did that, I probably have not been promoted as fast or as far as the people who do, but it is a deliberate choice on my part to stay out of that kind of politicing.

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[GlenJohnson]

Course you also have to realize there are those managers who prefer BS and who only promote those who tell them what they want to hear. Since I couldn't live with myself if I did that, I probably have not been promoted as fast or as far as the people who do, but it is a deliberate choice on my part to stay out of that kind of politicing.

SQLSister has a valid point. How well do you know these people? Be extremely pleased that they want you're opinion, just make sure you think your awnser through before giving it. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.

TTinChicago
Johnson Computers

 

[rosieb]

Clearly you have developed credibility, you are seen as an expert, use this to your advantage. BUT don't overplay it. Folllow SQLSister's[\b] advice - it's good!

Rosie
"Never express yourself more clearly than you think" (Niels Bohr)

 

[carp]

To piggyback on SQLSister and Rosieb -
You appear to have credibility - otherwise, nobody would be likely to ask for your opinion. But that credibility will go away fast if somebody figures out you're handing over some "default BS".
My take on it is you are not only being paid for your technical abilities, but also the soundest advice you can provide. When management asks for that advice, give it to them! Make it as honest and understandable as you can so that they can use it. If you have a dog in the fight, back it up as best you can - but still be honest.
Management's job is to gather information and make a decision. Once the decision is made, your job goes from providing advice to using your technical skills to make the decision work.

You are in an enviable position - you get to help influence the decision. Enjoy it!

 

[lionelhill]

You were already doing the right thing; otherwise no one would have started asking your opinion. So try not to think about it too much, and just carry on being yourself, and saying what you believe to be true. Sometimes you might get it wrong and look a bit of a fool, but only a worse fool will take all you say without applying any sort of judgment, so don't worry.

There is a story that the great Niels Bohr once hunted out Richard Feynman, then a young and fairly insignificant figure, at a conference. He'd decided he needed to talk to someone who would tell him when his physics was wrong, not someone who would agree all the time because he was Niels Bohr. The point about Feynman was that he just said what seemed to be good physics, irrespective of who he was talking to.

 

[JimmyZ1]

thanks to everyone for the advice....

Doh!!