Dealing with verbose colleagues politely [duplicate]

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  • How can I tell people to get to the point?

    14 answers



I was wondering if anyone has encountered a verbose colleague who doesn't feel any kind of need to 'get to the point'?



I'm a lead developer working on a version of software. The lead stakeholder from the user group is one of those types who gives lengthy preambles underlining over and over again the need for a change before eventually telling me what the change is.



It verges on the ridiculous.



I'm very busy and very pressed for time, but she is a director and therefore I may have mixed results advising her on how to effectively conduct communications with me.



The other day it took me 15 minutes before I had to say "I'm just trying to get to the essence of the query" after which she said "Oh, I need the start date to appear on the form".



Does anyone have any tips?







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marked as duplicate by IDrinkandIKnowThings, Monica Cellio♦ Jun 17 '14 at 15:34


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.










  • 1




    In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
    – Kevin
    Jun 17 '14 at 7:38










  • This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
    – smci
    Nov 11 '14 at 9:18
















up vote
6
down vote

favorite













This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I tell people to get to the point?

    14 answers



I was wondering if anyone has encountered a verbose colleague who doesn't feel any kind of need to 'get to the point'?



I'm a lead developer working on a version of software. The lead stakeholder from the user group is one of those types who gives lengthy preambles underlining over and over again the need for a change before eventually telling me what the change is.



It verges on the ridiculous.



I'm very busy and very pressed for time, but she is a director and therefore I may have mixed results advising her on how to effectively conduct communications with me.



The other day it took me 15 minutes before I had to say "I'm just trying to get to the essence of the query" after which she said "Oh, I need the start date to appear on the form".



Does anyone have any tips?







share|improve this question












marked as duplicate by IDrinkandIKnowThings, Monica Cellio♦ Jun 17 '14 at 15:34


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.










  • 1




    In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
    – Kevin
    Jun 17 '14 at 7:38










  • This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
    – smci
    Nov 11 '14 at 9:18












up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite












This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I tell people to get to the point?

    14 answers



I was wondering if anyone has encountered a verbose colleague who doesn't feel any kind of need to 'get to the point'?



I'm a lead developer working on a version of software. The lead stakeholder from the user group is one of those types who gives lengthy preambles underlining over and over again the need for a change before eventually telling me what the change is.



It verges on the ridiculous.



I'm very busy and very pressed for time, but she is a director and therefore I may have mixed results advising her on how to effectively conduct communications with me.



The other day it took me 15 minutes before I had to say "I'm just trying to get to the essence of the query" after which she said "Oh, I need the start date to appear on the form".



Does anyone have any tips?







share|improve this question













This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I tell people to get to the point?

    14 answers



I was wondering if anyone has encountered a verbose colleague who doesn't feel any kind of need to 'get to the point'?



I'm a lead developer working on a version of software. The lead stakeholder from the user group is one of those types who gives lengthy preambles underlining over and over again the need for a change before eventually telling me what the change is.



It verges on the ridiculous.



I'm very busy and very pressed for time, but she is a director and therefore I may have mixed results advising her on how to effectively conduct communications with me.



The other day it took me 15 minutes before I had to say "I'm just trying to get to the essence of the query" after which she said "Oh, I need the start date to appear on the form".



Does anyone have any tips?





This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I tell people to get to the point?

    14 answers









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Jun 17 '14 at 7:35









trucker_jim

1332




1332




marked as duplicate by IDrinkandIKnowThings, Monica Cellio♦ Jun 17 '14 at 15:34


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.






marked as duplicate by IDrinkandIKnowThings, Monica Cellio♦ Jun 17 '14 at 15:34


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.









  • 1




    In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
    – Kevin
    Jun 17 '14 at 7:38










  • This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
    – smci
    Nov 11 '14 at 9:18












  • 1




    In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
    – Kevin
    Jun 17 '14 at 7:38










  • This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
    – smci
    Nov 11 '14 at 9:18







1




1




In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
– Kevin
Jun 17 '14 at 7:38




In my opinion you did it right the last time. Her response shows she isn't mad or insulted. Maybe she likes to talk to you and likes to hear your opinion.
– Kevin
Jun 17 '14 at 7:38












This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
– smci
Nov 11 '14 at 9:18




This question is not a duplicate for two reasons: a) OP can't tell her to get to the point due her seniority b) OP can choose whether to use email instead of conversation, meetings, phone etc.
– smci
Nov 11 '14 at 9:18










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
2
down vote



accepted










Had a boss that had the same condition. It is horrible.



At meetings - have a clear agenda, and establish that you are in charge of the meeting to begin with. That makes it a lot easier to be firm - and polite - and steer people back to the agenda whenever they deviate.



If your not in control of the meeting, your just sometimes going to have to grind it out. Write down ideas to your work. Do other stuff during the meeting - easy if you have a lap-top and it looks like your taking notes or similiar.



Hallway-meetings - Say your busy, have them drop a email with what they want.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Clear your throat as if to Interrupt her and ask her gently "Tell me what you want done". Then ask briskly "Is there anything else you want from us?" before you thank her, do a 180 and return to your desk.



    Basically, I just advised you to hijack the control of the meeting, drive it hard enough and just long enough to get the info that you need and close it briskly - hey, somebody's got to do it :) You want to be casual and sharp :)



    It's OK to be a little uncouth with your management - you are a software engineer, and a team lead to boot :)






    share|improve this answer





























      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      2
      down vote



      accepted










      Had a boss that had the same condition. It is horrible.



      At meetings - have a clear agenda, and establish that you are in charge of the meeting to begin with. That makes it a lot easier to be firm - and polite - and steer people back to the agenda whenever they deviate.



      If your not in control of the meeting, your just sometimes going to have to grind it out. Write down ideas to your work. Do other stuff during the meeting - easy if you have a lap-top and it looks like your taking notes or similiar.



      Hallway-meetings - Say your busy, have them drop a email with what they want.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        2
        down vote



        accepted










        Had a boss that had the same condition. It is horrible.



        At meetings - have a clear agenda, and establish that you are in charge of the meeting to begin with. That makes it a lot easier to be firm - and polite - and steer people back to the agenda whenever they deviate.



        If your not in control of the meeting, your just sometimes going to have to grind it out. Write down ideas to your work. Do other stuff during the meeting - easy if you have a lap-top and it looks like your taking notes or similiar.



        Hallway-meetings - Say your busy, have them drop a email with what they want.






        share|improve this answer






















          up vote
          2
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          2
          down vote



          accepted






          Had a boss that had the same condition. It is horrible.



          At meetings - have a clear agenda, and establish that you are in charge of the meeting to begin with. That makes it a lot easier to be firm - and polite - and steer people back to the agenda whenever they deviate.



          If your not in control of the meeting, your just sometimes going to have to grind it out. Write down ideas to your work. Do other stuff during the meeting - easy if you have a lap-top and it looks like your taking notes or similiar.



          Hallway-meetings - Say your busy, have them drop a email with what they want.






          share|improve this answer












          Had a boss that had the same condition. It is horrible.



          At meetings - have a clear agenda, and establish that you are in charge of the meeting to begin with. That makes it a lot easier to be firm - and polite - and steer people back to the agenda whenever they deviate.



          If your not in control of the meeting, your just sometimes going to have to grind it out. Write down ideas to your work. Do other stuff during the meeting - easy if you have a lap-top and it looks like your taking notes or similiar.



          Hallway-meetings - Say your busy, have them drop a email with what they want.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Jun 17 '14 at 8:11









          Lasse

          665511




          665511






















              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Clear your throat as if to Interrupt her and ask her gently "Tell me what you want done". Then ask briskly "Is there anything else you want from us?" before you thank her, do a 180 and return to your desk.



              Basically, I just advised you to hijack the control of the meeting, drive it hard enough and just long enough to get the info that you need and close it briskly - hey, somebody's got to do it :) You want to be casual and sharp :)



              It's OK to be a little uncouth with your management - you are a software engineer, and a team lead to boot :)






              share|improve this answer


























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Clear your throat as if to Interrupt her and ask her gently "Tell me what you want done". Then ask briskly "Is there anything else you want from us?" before you thank her, do a 180 and return to your desk.



                Basically, I just advised you to hijack the control of the meeting, drive it hard enough and just long enough to get the info that you need and close it briskly - hey, somebody's got to do it :) You want to be casual and sharp :)



                It's OK to be a little uncouth with your management - you are a software engineer, and a team lead to boot :)






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  Clear your throat as if to Interrupt her and ask her gently "Tell me what you want done". Then ask briskly "Is there anything else you want from us?" before you thank her, do a 180 and return to your desk.



                  Basically, I just advised you to hijack the control of the meeting, drive it hard enough and just long enough to get the info that you need and close it briskly - hey, somebody's got to do it :) You want to be casual and sharp :)



                  It's OK to be a little uncouth with your management - you are a software engineer, and a team lead to boot :)






                  share|improve this answer














                  Clear your throat as if to Interrupt her and ask her gently "Tell me what you want done". Then ask briskly "Is there anything else you want from us?" before you thank her, do a 180 and return to your desk.



                  Basically, I just advised you to hijack the control of the meeting, drive it hard enough and just long enough to get the info that you need and close it briskly - hey, somebody's got to do it :) You want to be casual and sharp :)



                  It's OK to be a little uncouth with your management - you are a software engineer, and a team lead to boot :)







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Jun 17 '14 at 10:59

























                  answered Jun 17 '14 at 8:55









                  Vietnhi Phuvan

                  68.9k7118254




                  68.9k7118254












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