Don't challenge. Ask questions. "Golly Jed. I thought the book said ABC here in 4.7.12. Am I misinterpreting that completely? Do you read it different?' This is where you've threatened the bear but left him an escape route. And if you're lucky enough to get a "I never thought of it that way" response don't jump him. Let him grow it. You can say you've always thought it was X but if he's always thought Y and ask him to explain his interpretation. This gives you an opportunity to counter with yours as well I may be mistaken but I've always read it this way. If you can engage in dialogue he gets an opportunity to learn without having to show his ignorance, and slowly come to see your point. Takes work and patience, and is particularly difficult to accomplish if you've already established animosity, but you can apologize and recover. Quite often it only takes one (usually from our side) party asking to bury the hatchet and discuss issues openly. Even if you KNOW you're right he KNOWS he has the authority. You need to convince him you're not trying to make him look bad, but trying to do your job the best way you know how, and that you know he's doing the same (whether you believe that or not). Most people in authority will readily accept help if that help makes them look better to their superiors (particularly bureaucratic types). When I need something done I pretty much know it won't happen if I have a boss who's prime want is trying to look good to his boss unless I let my boss take (public) credit for my initiative. So I decide if credit is more important than result, or vice versa, and act accordingly. 99% of the time I let that pointy haired boss have the credit because credit isn't my goal. And 95% of the time while the pointy haired boss gets some public adulation for his accomplishments the real boss knows where the propulsion comes from anyway. Good luck.
On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 9:35 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > Beyond help. He and his superior are in charge because they stand behind a > badge, not because they have command of the codes, ordinances and standards > that stand behind them. That's the problem. To question them when they > can't intelligently answer is a threat to exposing them. Therefor you are > met with anger and push back. Very frustrating. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 30, 2013, at 9:15 AM, Ron Greenman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Try to become his ally. Can you offer to help this guy in a manner that > > doesn't insult him? Has that bridge been burnt? > > > > > > On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 9:04 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > > >> California > >> > >> Sent from my iPhone > >> > >> On Aug 30, 2013, at 8:54 AM, Forest Wilson <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> > >>> You need to provide more details. > >>> What is the specific issue? > >>> A submitted drawing? > >>> A final inspection? > >>> What state? > >>> > >>> Sent from my iPhone > >>> > >>> On Aug 30, 2013, at 11:52 AM, [email protected] wrote: > >>> > >>>> Can anyone provide direction for dealing with a problem AHJ? It > appears > >> one particular inspector is in over his head and when speaking with > >> superiors they protect him. Superiors know even less about his job. > Rather > >> than deal with the problem (because they can't speak to it > intelligently) > >> they push back hoping you'll go away. Very frustrating. Is there > someone at > >> the state fire marshal level? > >>>> My interest is public safety. > >>>> Thanks for any input. > >>>> Owen Evans > >>>> Res Sprinkler Consulting > >>>> > >>>> Sent from my iPhone > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> Sprinklerforum mailing list > >>>> [email protected] > >> > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Sprinklerforum mailing list > >>> [email protected] > >> > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Sprinklerforum mailing list > >> [email protected] > >> > >> > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org > > > > > > > > -- > > Ron Greenman > > Instructor > > Fire Protection Engineering Technology > > Bates Technical College > > 1101 So. Yakima Ave. > > Tacoma, WA 98405 > > > > [email protected] > > > > http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/ > > > > 253.680.7346 > > 253.576.9700 (cell) > > > > Member: > > ASEE, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, AFSA, NFSA, AFAA, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC, WFSC > > > > They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis > Bacon, > > essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626) > > _______________________________________________ > > Sprinklerforum mailing list > > [email protected] > > > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org > -- Ron Greenman Instructor Fire Protection Engineering Technology Bates Technical College 1101 So. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405 [email protected] http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/ 253.680.7346 253.576.9700 (cell) Member: ASEE, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, AFSA, NFSA, AFAA, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC, WFSC They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
