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abc123
Toucan
Toucan

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Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Age: 44
Gender: Female
Posts: 293
Location: UK

24 Sep 2011, 12:22 am

I am a new temporary PA. My boss has asked for a diagram. He drew it out on paper and it turns out my predecessor and 2 colleagues couldn't get it to work in the form he wanted and apparently he was going to work on it. There is another version he doesn't like and he says he is not happy with it, but can't remember what he put on paper for the last PA to work on. One of the colleagues says I should just say I can't find it and play dumb.

He now seems to have forgotten he would do it and just keeps asking where the diagram is. I only have the other version after texting my predecessor, the other one is lost. I can't get my head round this as a) want to do a good job and not just let my boss down b) I don't want to upset the colleagues by blaming them for deleting the diagram that didn't work but was how he wanted it c) there is a culture where bosses are not wrong d) I don't want to appear stupid as have a PhD and want to prove myself.

What is the most professional thing to do?
:?:



cinbad
Deinonychus
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Joined: 13 Aug 2011
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24 Sep 2011, 1:11 am

What didn't he like about the previous diagram?

Formulate a solution that would incorporate his desires in a format you can work with that will meet his needs as you see them.

First you might want to know what is the purpose of the form and what information he wants to extrapolate from it. Be honest and upfront in a non-condescending manner to ask him what he needs. Write a short list of questions for him in an email. Let him know you are trying to meet his needs but are unclear about certain aspects of the project.


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