Eternal Sunshine Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Just wondering. Say a woman A did a public presentation in a field that's not her area of expertise. She couldnt answer one of the questions and it just looked uncomfortable. Woman A returns to our group and says something along the lines of "that was bad, next time I will make sure I do more background reading". Woman B says "oh you are going to present this again? Shouldn't you leave it to someone who is more of an expert?". Woman A said nothing and looked embarrassed. Woman B continued "I'm just looking out for our company's best interest. You shouldn't be presenting what you don't know". While what woman B said was factually true, I still thought it was unnecessarily cruel. Do you think woman B really did just have company's best interest at heart? Keep in mind that they are both at the same level of seniority. I'm biased already so I'm curious of a third party opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
ghsmith71 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Woman E Link to post Share on other sites
Maddieandtae Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 The office world is definitely not for the faint of heart is it? I suppose woman A could have further acknowledged that presenting again without researching further would not be in the interests of the Company and that woman A is up for the challenge to represent all her colleagues and Company in the best light possible! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author Eternal Sunshine Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 OP, I'm betting you are Woman A. Right? I am neither. I just always disliked woman B and liked woman A. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
newmoon Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 i think woman B is right. let an expert do the next presentation and let woman A do research for another time. you can't risk another screw-up by A. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
applej4 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) Agree with newmoon. Woman A shouldn't be giving presentations until she knows the material. Edited October 19, 2015 by a LoveShack.org Moderator rude commentary redacted ~6 Link to post Share on other sites
jen1447 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Woman B may have had the company's best interests in mind but I'm personally doubtful that any corporate personnel interaction exists that's not fueled in part by self interest/politics/gamesmanship/etc. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
anika99 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Woman B has a valid argument but woman A deserves a chance to redeem herself. If she is new to making company presentations then this has been a learning experience for her. Now she understands the importance of being prepared. Her presenting skills will get better with practice and I think she should be given the opportunity to prove herself. Was this Woman A's first presentation? The company I work for wouldn't allow a first time presenter to go it alone. There would be a more experienced presenter assisting or just sitting in on the presentation to field unexpected questions. If this was woman A first attempt at a presentation she needs a second chance. If she can't pull it together then Woman B will be correct. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
introverted1 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Unless B is in a position to decide who should make the presentation, she should have kept her thoughts to herself. And even if B was in a position to decide, the conversation should have happened privately and more professionally. Presumably, someone told/asked A to present in the first place and, if errors were made. A should be corrected and coached, not publicly humiliated. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Maggie4 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 B is not being cruel, and A should not be embarrassed. She should continue to present things at every opportunity. B gave herself away when she said she's just looking out for the company. That's bs, and a very childish thing to say. What is she, a shareholder? If she had just said "oh you are going to present this again? Shouldn't you leave it to someone who is more of an expert? You shouldn't be presenting what you don't know". That would have been straightforward, and so much better. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Got it Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 While I think could have been said in a more positive way, it was good constructive criticism and woman A should have a better handle on things. Not sure other's experience in the workplace but the higher up you go, the more blunt the feedback is. Gotta have tough skin and need to come prepared. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 (edited) In the course of the exchange, note what I have highlighted and given potential "save" responses in bold: Woman A returns to our group and says something along the lines of "that was bad, next time I will make sure I do more background reading". Woman B says "oh you are going to present this again? Shouldn't you leave it to someone who is more of an expert?". Woman A said nothing and looked embarrassed. Here was Woman A's best opportunity to stand up for herself with something like, "I have already invested time into this presentation and would look for the opportunity to learn more and become the expert in this area." Woman B continued "I'm just looking out for our company's best interest. You shouldn't be presenting what you don't know". And Woman A could have countered, "I appreciate we all want was is best for the company, but I would like to look at this experience as a learning and growth potential for both me and the company if more than one person is expert in this topic." Edited October 17, 2015 by CarrieT 2 Link to post Share on other sites
minimariah Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Not sure other's experience in the workplace but the higher up you go, the more blunt the feedback is. true. however - this wasn't constructive criticism. it wasn't even a form of blunt feedback - it was straight up rude & unnecessary, especially because woman A knew how bad her presentation was and that she needs to do better. it's super unprofessional. Unless B is in a position to decide who should make the presentation, she should have kept her thoughts to herself. And even if B was in a position to decide, the conversation should have happened privately and more professionally. Presumably, someone told/asked A to present in the first place and, if errors were made. A should be corrected and coached, not publicly humiliated. i agree with all of this. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
veggirl Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 If B said it to A privately, okay. In front of a group? Tactless. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
mrs rubble Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 In my experience of attending work presentations when the presenter is stuck on a question, it's perfectly acceptable to redirect the question to someone in the audience who IS more knowledgeable- I've seen this happen multiple times, no one loses face and everyone else learns. Woman B sounds like a know it all, woman A should have redirected the question to her. Woman B was in my opinion very rude and unnecessarily snarky. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
anika99 Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 While I think could have been said in a more positive way, it was good constructive criticism and woman A should have a better handle on things. Not sure other's experience in the workplace but the higher up you go, the more blunt the feedback is. Gotta have tough skin and need to come prepared. How is this constructive criticism? "oh you are going to present this again? Shouldn't you leave it to someone who is more of an expert?". Woman A said nothing and looked embarrassed. Woman B continued "I'm just looking out for our company's best interest. You shouldn't be presenting what you don't know". Constructive criticism is criticism that is given with the intent to help or improve. Usually it includes possible solutions or alternate methods. Woman B was criticizing Woman A but it definitely wasn't good constructive criticism. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Noproblem Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Woman B is just mean. Plain and simple! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Got it Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Again, the farther up you move the more criticism you are going to get and minding Ps and Qs and asking pretty please with sugar on top doesn't happen. Do I think that the feedback was well received? No of course not. But the core of the message is accurate. Definitely could have been said in a better manner. I guess I am so used to similar criticism that playing with the big boys just toughen one's skin. If I had a nickel ever time an executive throws another under the bus, etc. I would be rich. The boardroom is very similar to high school. Link to post Share on other sites
kgcolonel Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Being correct and being respectful are very different, even in Corporate A. It could also be argued that B was not acting in the company's best interest either. One should build not tear down. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
minimariah Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 (edited) truth be told - bullying is often presented as "constructive criticism" and something that should be accepted as normal... something you should just deal with & toughen up. this wasn't criticism (let alone a constructive one) - this was person B trying to throw the person A under the bus -- because what is the best way to beat the competition? you aim for their confidence. what is the best way do that? shame... a VERY powerful feeling. that being said - person A should continue to do her work & ignore remarks like that in the future. if it happens again - she should respond accordingly. i'd fire person B in a heartbeat for one thing - you shame your colleague in front of your company's COMPETITION & bring on the uncomfortable and negative atmopshere in a place where teamwork is essential? what an amateur. Edited October 20, 2015 by minimariah Link to post Share on other sites
firemanq Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) In my experience of attending work presentations when the presenter is stuck on a question, it's perfectly acceptable to redirect the question to someone in the audience who IS more knowledgeable- I've seen this happen multiple times, no one loses face and everyone else learns. Woman B sounds like a know it all, woman A should have redirected the question to her. Woman B was in my opinion very rude and unnecessarily snarky. Even after 30 years working in my trade, I am faced with problems I have no answers for. I would have asked the audience for solutions. If that failed, I would ask the questioner to write down the question, research the answer and e-mail the answer to the audience members who signed an address sheet. Edited October 27, 2015 by a LoveShack.org Moderator Language 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author Eternal Sunshine Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 If I was in any doubt.. It was recently announced that a woman A got a promotion. Woman B made a nasty comment about it being "undeserving" 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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