Getting in arguments with your boss-age

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MercuryLS

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I've been working at my company for a year and so far it's been pretty good. I've worked really hard and tried my best to make something of myself during my time here.

My boss has been pretty supportive so far, but me and him see things very differently. We rarely agree on things and sometimes it boils over into arguments. He's the type of person that is always decisive and is used to yes men around him. I don't think he likes the fact that I challenge him once in a while. The problem is that I don't take things on face value and like to investigate and look at things from all angles.

There's no bad blood between us, but we do get into heated arguments from time to time. Should I back off a bit and just get into a yes man mode (as much as I hate it)? I know there is little to no chance of them firing me as they need me more than I need them. I think the issue is that I'm still young at 27 and he doesn't take me seriously sometimes.
 
stand your ground. if you really don't care too much about possible repercussions then stick with it. i hate yes men too, they are such horrible people and lead to poor decisions moving forward.
 
CFMOORE! said:
stand your ground. if you really don't care too much about possible repercussions then stick with it. i hate yes men too, they are such horrible people and lead to poor decisions moving forward.
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That's what bothers me too, I'm looking out for the company and would rather stand my ground than to just blindly agree with everything around me and see things go down the shitter.
 
Don't be a yes man. I would never trust a person that agrees with me all the time.

Continue arguing as long as you're making sense and it's not insulting.

Back off a bit, but say what you mean if pushed.
 
It depends on if you want to advance up the ranks and how quickly. People suck up to their bosses because it works. Is it worth your integrity and/or soul? That's up to you.
 
My boss once told me all I did was stand around looking pretty, this was when my role of 'sales assistant' actually comprised of receiving deliveries and stock management, running a store, being able to cook any item off of a whole menu and serving the food all on my own at the same time.
I told him he was full of bullshit and just because I didn't look like the troll from under the bridge didn't mean I was just posing
He then accused me of trying to turn his wife against him (who also worked there) because she would always take my side

Needless to say, I quit on that very day. And since then the place went under

feelsgoodman
 
Need the opinion of a third party to determine if your boss is at fault or if perhaps your opinion of the merits of your contributions is a bit inflated.

Edit: or maybe just a few examples.
 
There's a middle ground between arguing all the time and being a yes-man. Argue when it's important; if it isn't, you can mention you disagree without getting into an argument.
 
is it work related arguments? if it is and assuming you know what your doing than yes argue away, though you should argue in a professional manner, i dont know what you mean by heated but i interpret that as raised voiced/anger which means your point isnt going to get across after that point. Argue untill right before that point then back off, he's the boss so if he does something stupid its his fault and you can say i told you so...
 
sk3 said:
It depends on if you want to advance up the ranks and how quickly. People suck up to their bosses because it works. Is it worth your integrity and/or soul? That's up to you.
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Not really, I'll be alright regardless. I've already got a job offer from a co-worker that recently left. You're right, kiss asses get ahead but I'm not willing to back down. I'm not even argumentative, that's the funny thing. I just calmly explain my point of view that may be contrary to his and he sometimes flips the fuck out. i just don't get it, if he wants me to do it his way, I will, but at least let me say my piece.
 
Oh I think there's a lot of good to be had in arguing with your boss so long as you do it in the right fashion.

1. Don't disagree with him in public if possible. If it's not possible then he should know you don't disagree before hand. Never blindside him with disagreement.

2. Have facts and numbers to back you up.

3. Respect that he most likely will not agree with you.

4. If he's the kind that likes "yes men" then accept the fact that while he might respect you, you will never move up in org very far.
 
I got into an argument with my new boss during my interview 2 weeks ago when she said something factually wrong and I corrected her. Thought I fucked it up bad. Got the call back on Monday. She said she liked my passion. Fuck yeah.
 
MercuryLS said:
Not really, I'll be alright regardless. I've already got a job offer from a co-worker that recently left. You're right, kiss asses get ahead but I'm not willing to back down. I'm not even argumentative, that's the funny thing. I just calmly explain my point of view that may be contrary to his and he sometimes flips the fuck out. i just don't get it, if he wants me to do it his way, I will, but at least let me say my piece.
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First, I hope that you are only challenging him on important things. If you are challenging him on dumb shit, then it's just counterproductive. Second, there are ways to get your point across without being/seeming argumentative. Learning how to deal with different personality types in the work place is just a skill that comes with experience, I guess.

I know a lot of people think being a "yes man" is bad, but it's really not, generally speaking. I know there are people who like to challenge authority figures on EVERYTHING, even dumb shit or things that are clearly incapable of having a "right" answer. Sure, if there's something that will turn into a major problem, then speak up. But don't start on something that isn't really important. Succeeding at work isn't just about being right all the time. Learning to work with people is a big part of it (yes, even if you are "right"!).

/soapbox
 
Since you have the balls to argue with your boss why don't you ask him if he thinks you're pushing back too hard. When he does, explain where you are coming from and tell him you will dial it back for the good of the team.

What is the age difference between the two of you?
 
Tell your boss he's just another old man who's grown to cynical and paranoid for the company, that the company needs a young man full of fire and ideas to run it. Then tell him, he's fired. Boom. You just became the boss.
 
CrankyJay said:
Since you have the balls to argue with your boss why don't you ask him if he thinks you're pushing back too hard. When he does, explain where you are coming from and tell him you will dial it back for the good of the team.

What is the age difference between the two of you?
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ABou 20 years difference.

I don't argue for arguments sake, sometimes I just want to bounce ideas off him.
 
I'd say don't argue, because from what I have witnessed, that is one of the few things that will most certainly get you fired if it gets out of hand just once.

Second, the mindset that they need you more than you need them, and that you cannot be replaced is not good, because most likely, you are replaceable. I hear it most often from younger people.
 
MercuryLS said:
ABou 20 years difference.

I don't argue for arguments sake, sometimes I just want to bounce ideas off him.
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Let me guess, you think he's stuck in his ways and he discredits you because you are young. Maybe he feels threatened by you.
 
Plywood said:
Tell your boss he's just another old man who's grown to cynical and paranoid for the company, that the company needs a young man full of fire and ideas to run it. Then tell him, he's fired. Boom. You just became the boss.
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You're an old man and a fool!

CrankyJay said:
Since you have the balls to argue with your boss why don't you ask him if he thinks you're pushing back too hard. When he does, explain where you are coming from and tell him you will dial it back for the good of the team.

What is the age difference between the two of you?
Click to expand...
I agree with this. Make sure he knows you're a team player, and that you're just interested in what's best for the company.
 
MercuryLS said:
I've been working at my company for a year and so far it's been pretty good. I've worked really hard and tried my best to make something of myself during my time here.

My boss has been pretty supportive so far, but me and him see things very differently. We rarely agree on things and sometimes it boils over into arguments. He's the type of person that is always decisive and is used to yes men around him. I don't think he likes the fact that I challenge him once in a while. The problem is that I don't take things on face value and like to investigate and look at things from all angles.

There's no bad blood between us, but we do get into heated arguments from time to time. Should I back off a bit and just get into a yes man mode (as much as I hate it)? I know there is little to no chance of them firing me as they need me more than I need them. I think the issue is that I'm still young at 27 and he doesn't take me seriously sometimes.
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This is something I could have written.

Does he challenge other people like you challenge him? My boss nitpicks at everything, so it's only expected that his team members do the same. We all get into heated arguments every now and then, but in the end we appreciate the honesty and someone being so interested in the job and the team's well being that they take the time to give a shit.

Have a conversation with him and ask him how he feels about it.
 
MercuryLS said:
I've been working at my company for a year and so far it's been pretty good. I've worked really hard and tried my best to make something of myself during my time here.

My boss has been pretty supportive so far, but me and him see things very differently. We rarely agree on things and sometimes it boils over into arguments. He's the type of person that is always decisive and is used to yes men around him. I don't think he likes the fact that I challenge him once in a while. The problem is that I don't take things on face value and like to investigate and look at things from all angles.

There's no bad blood between us, but we do get into heated arguments from time to time. Should I back off a bit and just get into a yes man mode (as much as I hate it)? I know there is little to no chance of them firing me as they need me more than I need them. I think the issue is that I'm still young at 27 and he doesn't take me seriously sometimes.
Click to expand...
No talk to him and touch base. IN fact you guys seem like you have it pretty good and understand where you guys see fit. My boss and I have got into some serious knock down drag outs but she always leaves stating that she understands that I am just showing them different ways to do thing.
As long as you know WHEN to argue, its ok to argue.
 
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