New member of staff seems overly assertive- espesh in reply to my email

[Liz1tummypain]

So this new person should be capable of the job. Started in July. She's from a slightly different background but that shouldn't be an issue. I'm her manager. We both work 3 days/ week and on Mondays we agree what work she will do on the day she works when I'm not in.

Today is a classic example. I logged on from home early to check emails etc and emailed to ask her to prioritise something, having seen where one of our colleagues' work has got to. Nothing major. Would take approx half an hour, no more. The reply I've just seen is along the lines of my email was "too cryptic for her" . Yes, cryptic. What would you do? I'm not confident that she uses her time well when nobody is supervising her. Various clues I've picked up on. I quite like my work pattern but would certainly consider changing it so our 3 days coincide but that shouldn't be necessary. Just seeking people's reactions. Thanks in advance

I'm not sure what the problem is. I wouldn't have expressed it like that to my manager but she's just saying she doesn't understand the email and asking you to explain, surely?

I'd ring and ask what she meant/what the issue is.

No point second guessing.

I'm not sure I'm seeing the problem from your example, it would appear she just hadn't understood what you want. Did you reply to ask what needed clarifying?

If she couldn't understand it then it was her responsibility to ask for clarification. She's putting the blame on you by saying it was too cryptic.

No, I haven't replied. It's a very small thing. It can wait but this is another example of what seems like a pattern where she chooses what work to do without regard to what I know needs to be prioritised. I can talk about it whne we're both in the office

If she has only been in role since July and from a different background then I assume she doesn't understand the task or how to approach it. Call her and talk it through. If you have a 2 way conversation you can make sure you are both on the same page.

What does “overly assertive” mean?

But she’s not saying she won’t prioritise the work, she’s saying she doesn’t understand what you’ve asked, right?

I had a “cryptic” boss in the past. It was a nightmare & I would find myself asking too many questions in an effort to understand what he wanted from me. It used to really stress me and make me feel stupid.
I was not alone. Others had the same issues.
I can’t suggest a solution but in your shoes, maybe a 1to1 face to face would help? I expect that’s on your management agenda at the end of her probationary? It’s good to talk.

I don't think I understand this either.

But she surely isn't saying she won't do the work, just that she doesn't understand? Obviously I haven't read the whole email so don't really know, but if she's just said "I'm afraid your email is too cryptic for me" that means she's asking you to explain more clearly, not that she won't do it. Reply, for heaven's sake.

She's asking for clarification of what you actually want her to do.

No, she's saying she's not going to do it. I think she feels it can wait whereas I want us to be as up-to-date as we can on this one task.

Just tell her what to do. No dramas

Can you post what she actually said? The bit you've quoted doesn't mean that she's saying she won't do it.

So why were you emailing her on your day off over a very small thing that can wait? Are you a micro-manager? Maybe she's assertive with you because she feels it's the only way of maintaining boundaries.

You clearly have a problem with her.

Me too.
He used to issue tasks with the minimum of explanation, and expect me to mind read to know who/what he was talking about.
It gave me endless anxiety trying to decipher what he meant. When I plucked up the courage to ask, I was met with derision.

It is your responsibility as a manager to ensure the tasks you allocate are clearly understandable.

Did you tell her directly to do the work or were you vague?

Your OP doesn't give any indication that she's refusing to do the task.

If she is refusing, just tell her to do it. If she needs more information, give it to her. I don't see what the problem is.

You're a micromanager no one like that. You're showing you dont trust her, she realises it and is trying to show you that you need to relax, trust her and let her do her job.

But that's not what you alluded to in your OP?

Are you sure you aren't just really bloody vague?

How did you ask her to do the task? I inherited a boss during a merger who would say things like "you might want to think about doing X" - so I'd think about it and do Y, until one of his old team produced a language conversion chart for us newbies.

She’s not saying she is not going to do it

She is saying she doesn’t understand what you want her to do

so set it out clearer for her and let her get on with it

To be fair to your colleague, I think 'cryptic' is the perfect way to describe you from your responses on here!

Given that most people on this thread can understand what the problem is, it might be worth reflecting on whether how you communicate?

It sounds like you might be a little “cryptic” I’m afraid.