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Subject:RE: Another question I've had for years... From:"Susan W. Gallagher" <sgallagher5 -at- cox -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Sat, 16 Oct 2004 09:54:44 -0700
I agree with Dood on this one - food is definitely not the answer. Learning
to work with the SMEs as part of a team certainly is.
Generally, when someone is difficult to pry information from, there's a
reason. Either the SME is genuinely swamped and doesnt' have the time, the
information doesn't exist yet, or the SME has really poor written
communication skills and is running away from you scared. (Don't laugh. I've
seen it happen)
Sorry, I've lost the original post. Wasn't the question how to handle this
question at a job interview. Well, my answer is that it isn't an "us and
them" situation. I fully integrate myself into the team and get to know all
the members. When they are recalcitrant, I attempt to find the reason and
over come it. It's a lot easier to get info from a SME you've just had
lunch/played ping pong/shared a crossword puzzle with.
My two cents.
-Sue Gallagher
> Jim Barrow wrote:
> > "How would you get information from subject matter experts that are
> > being...difficult? Let's say that they never had the time to speak
> > with you, or they were reluctant to give you the information that you
> > needed."
TCDood:
...
I don't like "rewards" for fostering collaboration... TEAM has to WORK
TOGETHER).
IMO, if you're part of a team, you gotta collaborate...
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particularly in interpersonal communication, conflict resolution,
project management, and leadership.
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