I volunteer at a place often doing technical stuff. The owner has a lot of faith in me and my technical abilities. We've discussed me working there before and that may still happen at some point. He also would be a great reference for me for any job I may want to pursue.
We had a situation where some of the owner's equipment didn't work for a presentation. The full time technical employee was still there at the time and did the trouble shooting to figure out the problem.
She came up with a theory and told me to let owner know, after his presentation, what had happened (her theory) and that his equipment should work now.
I have to say that while she was telling me her theory it seemed a little off to me, but I don't know the equipment well enough. And she's been there a long time and should definitely know the equipment.
So when he was done with his presentation, as requested by the tech employee, I let him know the problem (telling him her theory) and he doesn't believe that is the issue at all. And seemed a little annoyed and noted that the system has been used for many years and that's never been the case. Then he said 'That's ridiculous.' in an annoyed tone. He didn't look happy and then he walked away.
I hope he doesn’t think I created this theory? I hope he wasn’t upset with me. I want to continue to maintain the great working relationship we have.
Now I wish I wouldn’t have even passed on the details.
I walked away from the situation wishing I had made it clear that it was Suzy Q's theory. One of those ‘I wish I would’ve said’ moments.
Addressing the feedback -as a volunteer, what would be my gain for 'stealing' and relaying the info which the full time employee asked me to relay? I'm confused. I'm just a volunteer making $0. I'm not sure what I would gain here??
And he's actually already impressed w/ me and has been the last few yrs. and has offered me a job at one time. I wouldn't have much to gain by telling him this info I wasn't even buying into.
He was still right there though when Suzy Q started troubleshooting, so he saw me step back and let Suzy step in. This hopefully gave him the idea that the issue was beyond my level of expertise. Which I think he knows it was.
And to answer why I didn’t wait for Suzy tell him her own theory – after she fixed the issue, she was leaving for the day and told me to let him know what the problem was (her theory) and she wanted me to tell him his equipment was working again. This was important for him to know, and necessary for me to tell him, since he needed the equipment again in just another few hours. And again, she wouldn't be there to relay the information so she asked me to let him know. So me telling him wasn’t about me going behind Suzy’s back to get kudos. She asked me to tell him.
Even if he was impressed with the theory, I don’t think he would say ‘kudos’ to me because he saw me step back and let Suzy full time employee take over, and I think he knows it was outside my scope of expertise.
Also, I was pretty sure this explanation wasn’t going to knock his socks off or anything, because even I was questioning the validity of it. So I knew there wouldn’t be a big ‘wow- you are the expert here!’
I just hope he didn’t think I made up this ‘ridiculous’ theory.
I guess on the positive side –we get along well and he jokes with me often. Shortly after this incident we were both heading to the parking lot on our way out and we were both going the same direction so he smiled and made a little small talk with me, so hopefully everything is cool.
As far as him using me, he’s never asked me to volunteer for anything. I offer my time and expertise. And I don’t even volunteer in hopes of him giving me a job, but because I enjoy the tasks I do and I enjoy the people I work with while volunteering.
I do work from home and I am plenty busy with my own work, so if he offered me something right now, it wouldn’t probably work for me. If it ever worked out, I might like to work for this company, but it’s not why I volunteer my time and expertise.
I think it was just a stressful situation for him. However, I probably would have said, "This is what Sally thinks might have happened..." and then told him her theory. I wouldn't sweat it right now, though. Just continue to be helpful and good.
I'd ask him point blank if it bothered him that you relayed her message. If you say "relayed her message", then it should mean to him that it wasn't your opinion.
If he said yes, then say to him "Well, I just want you to know that none of what she said came from me. This was her view, and she asked me to tell you. Personally, I think that "x" might be the culprit, but the truth is, I don't know the equipment well enough to have felt comfortable telling you that, when she has more experience with it than I do."
He ought to remember that you are not paid and act accordingly. Shooting the messenger in this instance really isn't appropriate. Hope you actually find another job that pays, instead of waiting for this guy to figure out that you are value added. I think he's using you, to be frank about it.
Dawn
Why didn't you say that XXX (the other employee) said that this was wrong and she wanted you to tell him? That way he knows it's not you coming up with this "theory" but rather his employee.
No, I don't think you did anything wrong, and if he wants to get upset with you, simply tell him "Don't shoot the messenger."
Did you say that it was HER theory? Or simply pass along the details? I would have said specifically that it was her that came up with it, and not yours.
Next time you should just have her tell him, it will be easier in the long run, and they can discuss it, and leave you out of it.
Did you say "Per So and so the issue was xyz." Then say "I will look into it further (if possible) if this answer displeases you (looking good)."? IF you did not say any of these things, you look like an idiot now - sorry.
Next time you see him, ask him "Did so and so have a chance to go into further detail with you about that problem? She seemed pretty sure about the situation, so I wanted to make sure you and she touched base about it." Then he should have no problem realizing it had nothing to do with you and you were just the messenger.
I agree with queen of the castle...just drop it at this point.
well for the time being, i think i would just assume that his reaction wasn't directed at you and was just him blowing off steam at having had trouble earlier and being a bit stressed.
Try to not worry about it until you see him again, and then if he treats you differently you migh have a conversation with him about how it was just a matter of you relaying suzies info. but be careaful not to make her look bad, even if he agrees.
i would hope that one small incident, wouldn't ruin the good relationship you have with him. so i'm pretty sure it will blow over.
I'm a bit puzzled why full time tech gal didn't want to tell the owner herself.
Do you think she wanted to discredit you?
It's all said and done now.
Just drop it, put it behind you and pretend it never happened.
Trying to explain or defend yourself or tell where they theory came from now makes you look like you are trying to make HER look bad.
Sometimes when something goes wrong, the correct/safest thing to say is
'I don't know why it went wrong' rather than to voice theories.
Watch out for full time tech gal.
I'm not sure but I don't think she's your friend or has your best interests at heart.
There is nothing you can do about it now...b/c:
A) You should have said from the get go that it was "Suzie Q's theory", since you are worried he is upset with you, I am assuming you did not do that?
AND
B) It's not like you can back peddle and try to let him know now that it was IN FACT "Suzie Q's theory" without looking like you were trying to steal credit for an idea that wasn't yours, right?
*Like what Grandma T. below me said.
Just let it go. You volunteer correct? As in, they don't pay you for your help? He is lucky to have your services. I doubt he is gonna hold a grudge, he was probably just irritated about the situation in the heat of the moment and has hopefully let it go by now.
Well, you should have said that "so and so" told you to tell him from the get go. It's almost like you were stealing the info and trying to get credit for it. If he would have thought the theory was good, you'd be happy right now, right?
