How to respect a CAD Manager (or anyone else)

Are you talkin’ to me? – Robert DeNiro brought this line into popular culture in the mid seventies.

No one likes to be talked down to or insulted. No one likes to be ignored or swept aside. Neither do CAD Managers. But some CAD Managers feel ignored, under respected, overlooked, misunderstood, cut short when expressing their opinions and generally thought of as being underlings to everyone.

I usually write things for CAD Managers to do or be. But this time around I am writing to everyone who interacts with them. I am asking others to step into the CAD Managers shoes and think about things.

Being in a service oriented profession CAD Managers are use to serving others and most do it with vigor. They do not look for the accolades, external rewards and incentives that others require. They tend to be self sufficient and intrinsically rewarded by doing a good job. But they also seek to establish partnerships with all employees in an effort to improve productivity, quality and output.

Some think that the best way to talk to a CAD Manager is to treat them like a short order cook. Get my machine fixed, load my software, fix the plotter, move my project files, burn me a CD… the list of orders goes on and on. CAD Managers are far from short order cooks who sling hash, they are often master chefs that create an array of tantalizing productivity delicacies presented on a bed of Standards with a smooth process reduction.

But when asked what they desired more – more hardware/software or more respect. Respect came out on top.

So how do you show respect to a CAD Manager?

You do it by following the time tested perspectives. Let’s take a look at them from the CAD Managers viewpoint.

Treat other people the way you want to be treated. Or better yet – treat other people better than yourself. We all treat ourselves well. But if we always strive to treat others better than we would want to be treated then we would all show respect at all times. For a CAD Manager this means not forgetting that they oversee more than just your project. They need you to understand the pressures on them and their limits of time. They cannot be everywhere at once.

Be courteous and polite. Not just to them and about them, but also about their CAD setup and Standards. I encourage CAD Managers to not take it personally, but many of them have a definite bond to the processes and procedure they have created. Many of them have poured their lifeblood into the standards. When you call it into question, you are questioning their abilities and competency. Be gentle.

Listen to what the CAD Manager has to say. How often do people not really listen to others? The CM wants people to really hear what they are saying. When the CM talks about project setup procedures, listen and follow them. When they talk about good CAD habits – listen and do them. When they discuss problem areas of the software – keep a list of what they are saying and avoid them.

Don’t judge the CAD Manager. Most people decide early in a relationship where the other person falls. They may grant early respect, but then lose it if they disagree with the CM’s decisions or comments. They tend to then hold those perspectives even if things change. Give the CAD Manager the benefit of the doubt and enter into each conversation with a fresh set of ears. Don’t let pasts conflicts stir up the waters of disrespect each time you cross paths.

Deal with disagreements in a different way. Don’t write off the things you disagree with too easily. Think about the CAD Managers ideas and points of view before you just cast them off. Don’t close your mind to the new things that they may be introducing.

Keep the common goal in mind. You are both trying to be more productive, get the job done and provide quality work. You are on the same team. Work together on issues and keep the conversation flowing in a respectful manner.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB