CADDManager on September 24th, 2008

Some users push the envelope – do you appreciate this?

Some want to go farther with the software that they use.  They want to continue to move forward even when others are having trouble following.  They just keep finding new ways to use the tools that others do not understand.

Some will push you forward before you are ready.  Maybe you need a little push now and then.  But what if you don’t need the push forward?  What if you are pushing at the right pace for your firm and additional pushing will frustrate your users.

What do you think of these folks?  Maybe you need to push back.

Keep them close. I have said this before – but you need to enlist them on your team.  Talk to them more than you do to others.  Encourage them to talk to you.  Try to keep them on your time line, not theirs.

Help them understand that others are slower. Have them help support others.  When they see how others struggle – it may help them see things from another point of view.

Let them know where you are going. Some will fall in line if you just share where you are going and when you are going to get there.

Lay down the Law. I seldom say this, but there are times when you need to remind them about who makes the rules.  If you do not want them introducing advanced processes until you say so – tell them.  You are the CAD Manager after all.  You have been given the final responsibility for running an orderly house.  The authority that has been invested in you has to be exersized occasionally.  Make sure that everyone knows that you have to give approval before processes are changed or expanded.  You need to do it respectfully, but you may have to do it.

One Response to “Push Forward – Push Back”

  1. What if you seem to be the one doing the pushing all the time?
    I worked with very few people who want to learn more ways to use CAD, or the tools that we have.

    Anyways, I feel like I’m trying to advance users all the time, if by no other way than by using the software to it’s fullest, and I’m aware that it causes problems for other users. But I don’t want to hold myself back at the same time, even though it could possibly be the right thing to do for the company. I don’t know this subject runs through my head often and you made me think about it a little differently with this post.

    I’m more than happy to show others how to use more of the the software’s functions, but most of my co-workers don’t care to learn, and management doesn’t seem to care. I thought during this period of cut-backs that people would become more eager to advance their knowledge so they didn’t get laid off, but so far I haven’t seen where that is such a factor, and the amount of your pay is a more determining factor. Hence the more you know, the more likely you are to be on a higher pay scale, the more likely you are to be laid-off! So, maybe looking at it in that perspective, maybe I’m the one messing up in My Pushing. Hmm….

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