How to decline to teach programs to company workers

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I work for a nonprofit. I'm 7 weeks into the job. My title is social media manager so as you can imagine, I know how to use the Adobe Creative Suite.



Here's the problem, my immediate superior, who is Director of Marketing and PR, has been opting to get lessons for the entire staff, meaning just for herself, to learn the software that I know. So far, I've been helpful to answer questions about Microsoft Word and other internet things, but I have quickly realized she may want to get me fired.
While I like to help others succeed and grow, I don't know what do I do when I feel my job is threatened.



How do I politely decline to teach superiors and co-workers these little nuggets of information?







share|improve this question


















  • 6




    Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
    – rath
    Mar 16 '15 at 1:33







  • 4




    This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
    – Carson63000
    Mar 16 '15 at 5:21






  • 2




    Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
    – Brandin
    Mar 16 '15 at 11:08






  • 1




    See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
    – David K
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:00










  • Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:03
















up vote
-1
down vote

favorite
1












I work for a nonprofit. I'm 7 weeks into the job. My title is social media manager so as you can imagine, I know how to use the Adobe Creative Suite.



Here's the problem, my immediate superior, who is Director of Marketing and PR, has been opting to get lessons for the entire staff, meaning just for herself, to learn the software that I know. So far, I've been helpful to answer questions about Microsoft Word and other internet things, but I have quickly realized she may want to get me fired.
While I like to help others succeed and grow, I don't know what do I do when I feel my job is threatened.



How do I politely decline to teach superiors and co-workers these little nuggets of information?







share|improve this question


















  • 6




    Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
    – rath
    Mar 16 '15 at 1:33







  • 4




    This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
    – Carson63000
    Mar 16 '15 at 5:21






  • 2




    Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
    – Brandin
    Mar 16 '15 at 11:08






  • 1




    See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
    – David K
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:00










  • Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:03












up vote
-1
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
-1
down vote

favorite
1






1





I work for a nonprofit. I'm 7 weeks into the job. My title is social media manager so as you can imagine, I know how to use the Adobe Creative Suite.



Here's the problem, my immediate superior, who is Director of Marketing and PR, has been opting to get lessons for the entire staff, meaning just for herself, to learn the software that I know. So far, I've been helpful to answer questions about Microsoft Word and other internet things, but I have quickly realized she may want to get me fired.
While I like to help others succeed and grow, I don't know what do I do when I feel my job is threatened.



How do I politely decline to teach superiors and co-workers these little nuggets of information?







share|improve this question














I work for a nonprofit. I'm 7 weeks into the job. My title is social media manager so as you can imagine, I know how to use the Adobe Creative Suite.



Here's the problem, my immediate superior, who is Director of Marketing and PR, has been opting to get lessons for the entire staff, meaning just for herself, to learn the software that I know. So far, I've been helpful to answer questions about Microsoft Word and other internet things, but I have quickly realized she may want to get me fired.
While I like to help others succeed and grow, I don't know what do I do when I feel my job is threatened.



How do I politely decline to teach superiors and co-workers these little nuggets of information?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Mar 16 '15 at 22:55







user9158

















asked Mar 16 '15 at 1:15









Troubled

16




16







  • 6




    Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
    – rath
    Mar 16 '15 at 1:33







  • 4




    This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
    – Carson63000
    Mar 16 '15 at 5:21






  • 2




    Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
    – Brandin
    Mar 16 '15 at 11:08






  • 1




    See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
    – David K
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:00










  • Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:03












  • 6




    Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
    – rath
    Mar 16 '15 at 1:33







  • 4




    This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
    – Carson63000
    Mar 16 '15 at 5:21






  • 2




    Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
    – Brandin
    Mar 16 '15 at 11:08






  • 1




    See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
    – David K
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:00










  • Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:03







6




6




Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
– rath
Mar 16 '15 at 1:33





Hello and welcome to the Workplace. Quick question: How did you arrive at her wanting to get you fired from asking for Word lessons? Also, is the entire staff just you and her, or is she just the only one who's interested in taking lessons [training that you provide]?
– rath
Mar 16 '15 at 1:33





4




4




This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
– Carson63000
Mar 16 '15 at 5:21




This question is a little confusing. Are you saying that you suspect that your immediate superior wants you to train other people so that she can get rid of you? And that you therefore want to avoid training them?
– Carson63000
Mar 16 '15 at 5:21




2




2




Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
– Brandin
Mar 16 '15 at 11:08




Your superior wants you to conduct a training session for the staff on a skill you know. Do you not want to do the training for some reason? What's the problem exactly?
– Brandin
Mar 16 '15 at 11:08




1




1




See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
– David K
Jan 7 '16 at 18:00




See What is wrong with sharing knowledge with colleagues at work?
– David K
Jan 7 '16 at 18:00












Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
– Amy Blankenship
Jan 7 '16 at 18:03




Suggest a subscription to Lynda.com. It's likely to be more effective than what you can teach anyway.
– Amy Blankenship
Jan 7 '16 at 18:03










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
28
down vote













Why do you feel your job is threatened?



As Social Media Manager I hope you have more skills than simply being able to use Adobe Creative Suite. (If not then you are in real trouble.) Being asked to teach other people something that is a small part of what you do doesn't mean they are looking to replace you. However by refusing to pass on what you know, which is a contradiction of your claim that you 'like to help others succeed', you are painting a picture of yourself as uncooperative and confrontational. That's much more likely to result in you being fired than enabling your co-workers.



Assuming that you have the time to actually do this, there is no way to politely decline.






share|improve this answer






















  • Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:02

















up vote
-3
down vote













To politely decline, that's not feasible. Just decline, polite or hateful, your still not going to share your skills, correct? In some form your colleagues may respect that. You denied insight for the non-profit organization, but he sure is polite. No, I don't see anything favorable your way and much kudos the opposite. Good luck!






share|improve this answer




















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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    28
    down vote













    Why do you feel your job is threatened?



    As Social Media Manager I hope you have more skills than simply being able to use Adobe Creative Suite. (If not then you are in real trouble.) Being asked to teach other people something that is a small part of what you do doesn't mean they are looking to replace you. However by refusing to pass on what you know, which is a contradiction of your claim that you 'like to help others succeed', you are painting a picture of yourself as uncooperative and confrontational. That's much more likely to result in you being fired than enabling your co-workers.



    Assuming that you have the time to actually do this, there is no way to politely decline.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
      – Amy Blankenship
      Jan 7 '16 at 18:02














    up vote
    28
    down vote













    Why do you feel your job is threatened?



    As Social Media Manager I hope you have more skills than simply being able to use Adobe Creative Suite. (If not then you are in real trouble.) Being asked to teach other people something that is a small part of what you do doesn't mean they are looking to replace you. However by refusing to pass on what you know, which is a contradiction of your claim that you 'like to help others succeed', you are painting a picture of yourself as uncooperative and confrontational. That's much more likely to result in you being fired than enabling your co-workers.



    Assuming that you have the time to actually do this, there is no way to politely decline.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
      – Amy Blankenship
      Jan 7 '16 at 18:02












    up vote
    28
    down vote










    up vote
    28
    down vote









    Why do you feel your job is threatened?



    As Social Media Manager I hope you have more skills than simply being able to use Adobe Creative Suite. (If not then you are in real trouble.) Being asked to teach other people something that is a small part of what you do doesn't mean they are looking to replace you. However by refusing to pass on what you know, which is a contradiction of your claim that you 'like to help others succeed', you are painting a picture of yourself as uncooperative and confrontational. That's much more likely to result in you being fired than enabling your co-workers.



    Assuming that you have the time to actually do this, there is no way to politely decline.






    share|improve this answer














    Why do you feel your job is threatened?



    As Social Media Manager I hope you have more skills than simply being able to use Adobe Creative Suite. (If not then you are in real trouble.) Being asked to teach other people something that is a small part of what you do doesn't mean they are looking to replace you. However by refusing to pass on what you know, which is a contradiction of your claim that you 'like to help others succeed', you are painting a picture of yourself as uncooperative and confrontational. That's much more likely to result in you being fired than enabling your co-workers.



    Assuming that you have the time to actually do this, there is no way to politely decline.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 16 '15 at 13:05

























    answered Mar 16 '15 at 3:34









    DJClayworth

    40.8k886146




    40.8k886146











    • Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
      – Amy Blankenship
      Jan 7 '16 at 18:02
















    • Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
      – Amy Blankenship
      Jan 7 '16 at 18:02















    Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:02




    Plus, there are few people who really "know" the Creative Suite. Each piece of software can take years to fully master (except maybe Adobe Media Encoder).
    – Amy Blankenship
    Jan 7 '16 at 18:02












    up vote
    -3
    down vote













    To politely decline, that's not feasible. Just decline, polite or hateful, your still not going to share your skills, correct? In some form your colleagues may respect that. You denied insight for the non-profit organization, but he sure is polite. No, I don't see anything favorable your way and much kudos the opposite. Good luck!






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      -3
      down vote













      To politely decline, that's not feasible. Just decline, polite or hateful, your still not going to share your skills, correct? In some form your colleagues may respect that. You denied insight for the non-profit organization, but he sure is polite. No, I don't see anything favorable your way and much kudos the opposite. Good luck!






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        -3
        down vote










        up vote
        -3
        down vote









        To politely decline, that's not feasible. Just decline, polite or hateful, your still not going to share your skills, correct? In some form your colleagues may respect that. You denied insight for the non-profit organization, but he sure is polite. No, I don't see anything favorable your way and much kudos the opposite. Good luck!






        share|improve this answer












        To politely decline, that's not feasible. Just decline, polite or hateful, your still not going to share your skills, correct? In some form your colleagues may respect that. You denied insight for the non-profit organization, but he sure is polite. No, I don't see anything favorable your way and much kudos the opposite. Good luck!







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Jan 7 '16 at 17:17









        Mateoojosazul

        234




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