General Chat

I had a review at work yesterday with my manager and team leader, and was told that I had a 'can do' attitude (initially misheard it as candour attitude). I've heard of the saying before, and interpreted it as meaning that I was approachable, responsive and easy to work with. But if that's what he meant then why not say that, rather than use a cliched buzz-word or whatever to describe my attitude. If someone told you that you had a 'can do' attitude, would you be pleased or would you be cynical at the use of such a term?

I would have been inclined to ask politely as to what he/she meant as to 'can do'? Sometimes people find it just too hard to compliment their employees incase it looks as if they are being 'soft' lol. full explanations is always required - just to make sure there are no misunderstandings. Well done by the way Andy. Much happiness Debi

i would be pleased as i see "can-do" as not letting something beat you, you will find a way to do things either for yourself or for others brian :)

Well done Andy, l think 'can do' is ok, if your boss is older than you, he was probably trying to be hip. lol Anne

Hi Andy, I would take it as a compliment, but I know what you mean, why dont they just say it in plain English. My pet hate, and still is, is Initials instead of saying the whole word, it took me so long to work out some of the words, I missed what they were saying, lol One day this fellow, an accountant was waffling on about SMP, I was busy trying to work out what that had to do with him because in my department, it meant Statutory Maternity Pay., and they were all men in their department! In the end I couldn't contain myself any longer I asked him and he was on about something totally different. Sorry I waffled on there. June xx

Eee, Andy ooop north, American hip business talk hasn't reached you yet. Can do means you think you can, rather than finding difficulties, you look for solutions. This is very complimentary! can do attitude is vital in genealogy as well. nell

Nell, arghhh, save me from American hip business talk. Lol Actually, I was more relieved that the review went ok, as it was my first one and felt a certain degree of trepidation. It wasn't until afterwards that I started analysing what was said and found myself trying to unravel semantics.

My dad has worked for the 3rd biggest company in America for several years now and he's constantly using 'buzz words'. I laugh at him and his excuse is that he's surrounded by it every day and it just penetrates his brain!!! lol becx

Andy I am deeply cynical about management in general and don't take any notice of anything said at appraisals, or indeed much notice of anything managers say. This probably stems from my first job when I'd been there a matter of weeks and all the staff were called together to be reassured that the rumours of redundancy were unfounded. There were no rumours until the meeting. The man who told us not to worry said it wouldn't happen - but it did and he was the first one made redundant! nell

pssssst Andy that means an example from show off pants up there with his paradigm LMAO Much happiness Debi ( who had to look the darn word up )

Hubby works for an American company and with loads of Yanks! He is forever coming out with this sort of stuff - I just look at him with eyebrows raised until he translates! Pro-active, mashed, power-down - can't think of them off the top of my head but they do make me cross - we are English for goodness sake!! grrrrrr! Maz. XX

Umm, no I don't think he did provide me with a paradigm (thanks Deb), other than my work was accurate, which isn't really a direct example. I find myself agreeing with Nell, as my mate went along for his review straight after mine and when I talked with him after, he said that he'd been told he had a 'can do' attitude as well. Yet we both know that he's a grumpy old sod, lol. One of my boss's other sayings is 'chalk and talk', which in English means that he wants someone to write ideas down on the board whilst we discuss them. Tsk....

Oh, and 'he can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk??' What a load of old cobblers! Can't understand why you can't just say what you mean anymore - its a case of why use one word when ten are FAR more confusing lol Maz. XX

Maz, one can probably get a degree in it at the David Brent institute of learning, called Bolloxology. Andy

Andy - I know quite a few who would beat him hollow! Maz. XX