Odessa

...unless you (1) want to do it for me or (2) have a suggestion I haven't thought of. At the end of a meeting yesterday I basically said (2), and would have liked to say (1).

I've been doing my job a long time. Sometimes we have to do something we have never done before. I am trying to get some information that another seemingly uncooperative party has. I realize that sometimes the key is asking the right person. My usual contact has been no help, so during a teleconference meeting I was asking an outside party for the names of people they have dealt with. Suddenly one of the folks from my office mutes the phone and says "I don't feel comfortable with this, we shouldn't be asking these people for help." I told him: "I have hit a wall and if you have any suggestions I'm listening."

Frankly I care less if the party on the other end thinks I don't have enough connections. Frankly I don't care if someone who tried my job and failed epic-ly thinks I am doing something wrong. Frankly I don't care if he thinks I'm "bad mouthing" a party when I make factual statements (unresponsive is unresponsive). What I do care about is getting the information I want and as long as I don't harm any innocent parties doing it I consider it no harm no foul.

Fact is he can't do my job. He's proven that fact and that is why he is doing the job that he is doing now. I guess he does his current job OK and I really don't care as long as my piece is done right. I've been tasked with getting certain information and I will not give up until I have exhausted all leads or I or someone else gets it. Even if some might consider my methods unconventional, I don't easily give up.

So, don't tell me how to do my job unless you are capable of doing my job and you are willing to do it. I would be more than willing to turn it over. Help or shut your pie hole.