very similar question to my last one but this time with management, not a coworker.
Similar because she keeps pestering me with what to her seems to be an important issue. She doesn’t seem to understand that I’m there to work and not to socialize. On our last conversation she told me we’re a big family and that I’m welcomed to be sincere with her with a big smile, to me a fake one.
So many red flags I wanted to run, but I still have to articulate it in office speak so she stops pestering me.
Context is an exit interview management is going to use to try and convince me to stay, but I don’t want to work there anymore, too much drama and cattiness over dumb crap.
If you’re leaving what’s the issue exactly? There are countless people who are incompetent at being a proper boss or client. You can try to educate them. If they’re power tripping it’s best to find something new.
Regarding communication I think the most important skill is to actually say what you want to say. What your needs are. It sounds obvious and easy but once you consciously try it you’ll see that it takes a lot of practice.
The issue is that being indirect or expecting people to just get it just doesn’t work. There aren’t many people out there who are that sensitive and insightful, and they’ll just keep filling in the gaps with their own perspective again and again. Even when you are being direct they will, but at least it gives someone the opportunity to think about it and possibly adjust. Most people mean well.