Canceling the meeting after 3 minutes to show them you don't tolerate lateness.
Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
71–80 of 81 posts
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
How much cooler if you freeball it?
Hard to quantify it but it's far more comfortable due to the soft fabric and lack of friction around the thighs. It's super refreshing not just with the breeze but also because it's like shade for your legs. It's honestly a shame that it's not socially acceptable (in the West) for men to wear skirts and dresses.
One of these days I should go to work in the fencing outfit. (Mask optional.)
Maybe even the full historical reconstruction set I have.
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
"It depends". I've used this when someone is claiming to their boss that we never communicated something, generally in situations where we've been communicating like crazy, but possibly not with them directly , but via emails to the several affected parties. Generally I assume that the person is just forgetting because they are very busy rather than out to get me, but, nevertheless, you have to defend yourself agains…
I generally agree with what you said. Maybe I take issue with the phrasing: "Per my previous email" I feel like it triggers some people. I prefer to try and soften it by saying something along the lines of: "I don't know if you got my previous email (see attached)"
That one is additionally condescending, implying the recipient cannot handle their email.
Good job!
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#74I don't know if it's a power move, but I like to reiterate all verbal communications in a follow up email to the person(s) I was conversing with, prompting them to ensure I understood everything correctly. While it's more of a CYA thing, the power move comes into play when they try to feign ignorance on the topics of the conversation, and I can use their written words to set the record straight (or just have a record…
This is not a power move BUT something you absolutely have to do to protect yourself against the corporate blame game.
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#75CC boss is called "escalation" and is useful if direct requests don't work. It's not throwing under the bus, its ensuring accountability. CC boss on the first request is usually unnecessary. Showing up late to meetings is indeed a "power move" but not respectful. Its the same as "busy bragging", talking about how much work/meetings you have. Both these are completely lame. The biggest thing I see is holding the floor…
"busy bragging" tells me that you are unorganized/inefficient/trying to impress (i.e. not powerful).
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#76I don’t know what kind of corporate culture you are dealing with but I personally believe in Open,Honest,Direct approach to solve my problems.
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#77I enjoy being a nice person and not fucking over other people for my own personal gain.
Me, too. Plus, I sleep really well.
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#78My boss never accepts calendar invites for meetings, and may or may not show up to the scheduled meeting.
Brilliant filter since people will ask again if she's really needed, vs just invited for show.
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#79Giving my boss a heads up that I was gonna quit if things didn't change. Things didn't change, so I quit. They had almost no other technical staff so they called me asking to fix "just a couple little things". I quoted my rate at 300$ an hour, minimum 20 hours. They balked. Three days later my former boss calls me and agrees. I ended up billing 80 hours.
So weird how human nature works. The more I grow old, the more I see everything is a struggle/war/negotiation. I'm always looking for friendly high drive collaboration but it's so rarely the case.
Yes and then you can't unsee it
Re: Ask HN: What's your favorite corporate power move?
#80The response of "noted". You do a little scribble in your book or tablet or whatever and look up and say "noted" and then just stare with a pregnant pause, indicating you are waiting for the next meaningless "concern" to be articulated.
I do this all the time and didn't realize it was a power move. I find myself saying it to curb additional discussion I feel like is going to be superfluous - especially over slack or whatever. Noted!