Dear Evil HR Lady,
I have a question about jealous co-workers. I got trained for a new assignment by this guy in another department. Everyone has been saying how good I am with programming and other things. Basically, when I was training I gave it my all. The guy who was training me is newer, and I feel that my experience kind of intimidated him.
He would always talk about it and almost even complain about how much experience I have. So because of this he trained me really poorly. He didn’t care. I basically got no training from him, and he didn’t help with anything. On top of that he was rude.
I have another person who I am going to train with for another assignment. Do you think it’s wise to dumb it down to get people to not be intimidated or jealous. My girlfriend says the same thing happens to her sometimes. To me it sounds more like a girl thing, but evidently not. She says to not let on how much you know. I can see her point. Do you agree?
To read the answer to this question, click here: Are your coworkers jealous or are you obnoxious?
If you’re in a computer class with other people, then yes, you WILL have to suffer through “click on that little eagle,” because they are geared to the slowest person there, not the fastest. So be patient, grasshopper.
I am VERY smart and especially good at learning computer programs. I used to get incredibly impatient and I did, yes, act like a know-it-all.
Several years ago, I was offered free Excel training so that I could see I would recommend them to our trade association. They wanted me to take the beginning class, and after a little arguing I agreed.
Wow! Yes, point, click, SUM formulas . . . and then the instructor showed us how to click the edge of a column in order to auto-width that column.
Since I am largely self-taught, there are a lot of little basics that I ddin’t know at the time – I learned one way and stuck with it. But I was so happy to learn that time-saver that it was a great experience, and I realized that there is always the possibility that even in a really low-level class that I will learn something.
So now, if I go to training that is “beneath” me I figure it is part vacation and part treasure hunt, and I let the trainer do the talking. This attitude (surprisingly enough) has improved my relationship and leadership skills in many other areas.
Getting your nose off the ceiling is a very, very, very good thing.