undefined | Better HN

0 pointsPhasmaFelis7y ago0 comments

I think that's naive. The parent comment phrases it a bit more cynically than I would have, but it's in everyone's best interests to casually document plans and intentions. People forget, people misremember, people promise things without fully thinking through the implications in the moment. A friendly email restating the key points of a discussion is conscientious, professional, and keeps everyone on the same page.

I'd personally be very suspicious of anyone who tells you not to do that. There is literally no downside unless you're trying to hide something.

0 comments

Bahamut7y ago

My response to that would be that if someone remembers differently, they should treat their coworkers with respect and give them the benefit of the doubt if there is no reason why anyone should be skeptical. That is not a good work dynamic if your coworkers are not doing that, and is cause enough for me to start job searching.

If there is reason to believe that there are disagreements in actions to be taken, then messaging everyone to get on the same page is ok. If someone is actively throwing someone under the bus unceremoniously & quickly, then one should prepare an exit strategy & a strategy for working around the problematic coworker as a cautionary step because the spinner could potentially stop at oneself. If it is more than one problematic coworker, then the exit strategy approach becomes increasingly pertinent.

I think it is self-defeating to do other than this approach in general, and far from naive.

restingrobot7y ago

I don't want to assume anything about your work history, but I have worked at 2 fortune 500 companies, and I can absolutely say that if its not in writing it didn't happen.

Perhaps these companies were outliers, and I don't think anything I experience was a result of malice. However, when the higher ups are looking for answers, middle management tends to put blame on the developers. I can't tell you how many times I had to dig up old email chains to essentially prove what was communicated. People forget, people misremember, and people will fabricate to avoid repercussions. I have found this to be a universal truth of business, so I can see why someone would say your comment is naive.

Also like the comment above yours states, there is literally no downside to re-affirming the discussed points. I've had instances where once things were put in writing, my manager noticed something that wasn't clear and we were able to circumvent issues.

PhasmaFelisOP7y ago

You are still focusing too much on the cynical/mistrustful motivation. Positive, professional intentions indicate the same action.

If you think documenting plans and discussions is "self-defeating", I really don't know what to tell you.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse