Early in my career I worked for an individual who made "corrections" to everything I wrote. Some of these "corrections" were grammatically incorrect. I took the editing very personally and began to dread preparing a document that would need his approval. I questioned my ability.
Two incidents changed my perspective.
I overheard two other staff members who had been on the team for quite some time laughing about the "corrections" to one of their documents. They shared a marked-up, edited version of the Gettysburg Address, indicating that the "corrections" had come from our boss.
When my boss was on vacation, I submitted a time-sensitive document directly to the Sales VP. It was approved quickly, with no changes and received very positive feedback. When my boss discovered that his boss liked the way I communicated, the "corrections" diminished, my productivity and attitude improved and my self-confidence returned.
AHA! That's just the way he is! It wasn't about me at all.
There are a million different ways to express an idea. Gettysburg Address caliber documents are rare indeed. Feedback is greatly appreciated when it improves the product, but enormously resented when it is just a slightly different way of conveying the same information.
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I suspect the need to edit is often the need to assert control. When the edit is for grammar or clarity, it is welcome. When it is a matter of style, like you, I resent it.
ReplyDeletePatrick J