Dealing with a Difficult Boss: Telling the Truth Tactfully

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of communicating with a difficult boss, particularly when it involves expressing disagreement or criticism. Participants share personal experiences and opinions on the balance between honesty and tact in the workplace.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a situation where their bluntness caused an extreme reaction from their boss, questioning the necessity of tact when telling the truth.
  • Another participant humorously reflects on the absurdity of a boss's angry reaction, suggesting that such moments can be amusing despite the tension.
  • Some participants express a philosophy that being blunt is a personal choice, rejecting the need for embellishment in communication.
  • A later reply suggests that learning to navigate a boss's misguided statements is essential for career advancement, implying that aligning with their views may lead to promotions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to dealing with a difficult boss. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the importance of tact versus honesty.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and subjective interpretations of workplace dynamics, which may not apply universally. There is a lack of clarity on the specific contexts in which these interactions occur.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals navigating challenging workplace relationships, particularly those in hierarchical structures, may find the perspectives shared in this discussion relevant.

wolram
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If your boss is talking rubbish how do you tell him/her , my boss went red in the face and did a war dance just because i was a bit blunt, but then tact is not one of my qualities,
and why should it be if i am telling the truth?
 
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http://www.emerchandise.com/images/p/SFS/pcSFS.jpg
Shut up, you big dummy.
 
Cyrus said:
http://www.emerchandise.com/images/p/SFS/pcSFS.jpg
Shut up, you big dummy.

If some one asks my opinion i tell it as it is, i do not try to embellish it with platitudes and cap doffing, why should i?
 
Have you ever got your boss so mad he/she is incoherent and literally dancing with rage,
it is so funny, but you dare not laugh even though you are busting.
 
Last edited:
wolram said:
If your boss is talking rubbish how do you tell him/her , my boss went red in the face and did a war dance just because i was a bit blunt, but then tact is not one of my qualities,
and why should it be if i am telling the truth?
Were you blunt to the boss, or blunt to a customer? I hope you don't end up tactless and unemployed.
 
wolram said:
If your boss is talking rubbish how do you tell him/her

You don't. It's something you learn over the years. He's your boss BECAUSE he's telling rubbish. Otherwise he would never have arrived there. (at least, that's the theory that I developed, and it did withstand a lot of empirical data up to now).

If you want to make a career, learn what rubbish your boss is telling, and go and proclaim the same. Very soon, you'll get a promotion.
 

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