I’m an assistant for a firm I really like working with. But sometimes my boss does this thing where he tells me some information to complete a task for a client, I write down verbatim what he says and complete the task. Then when I confirm the task before sending it to the client, some of the very stuff he told me to say or do is suddenly incorrect. So he’ll tell me as such and then begin to give me a mini-lecture on why that information is wrong. The first few times he did this I was sure I…
Chief
After you write down what he tells you, hand the paper back to him and say “please take a quick look to make sure I have the correct info.” Pull out the paper later and remind him he approved it. Hopefully you do this once and he gets the message.
Oooo bless you. Thank you so much, a GREAT idea
Rising Star
Well I don’t know you want to do what I used to do, or if it’s your personality type, but I’d get very firm and even in screaming matches about stuff like this. It never hurt me professionally, but back when I was working for people I’d basically say “you’re fucking wrong and here’s why…” I’d be a bit more tactful than that, but that was my general approach when I knew I was in the right. On the other hand, when I was in the wrong, I acknowledged it immediately. Perhaps that combination is why people put up with me. Or maybe my irresistible blue eyes? Who knows! 😂
It sounds like he might have ADHD. There is a bowl for attorneys with ADHD. You might find something helpful there.
Was in the wrong. But I just realized today that he just forgets what he says. Fine. So I mustered up some courage to gently but firmly remind him that the information I input on the form was what he told me to enter. And his response was “no, because..” and he began to lecture me again! I need some advice please because I know there’s nothing wrong with me standing up for myself.. but..He seems to think I’m not very smart even though many of the things he has lectured me on for being wrong are the things he told me to do. How should I handle this? Maybe it’s normal? He’s otherwise a nice, caring person so when this happens it really catches me off guard.