Ah, the Holidays! They put you in the mood for remembrance. Families get together and stories of past times and lives start pouring out. My grandfather was a brilliant man of the WWII generation. He died when I was a baby. Hence, I cannot remember this myself, but I've been told quite few times about his main pet peeve: he couldn't stand what he called "idiotic" questions. Apparently, I've inherited this familial trait.
His being the times way before the political correctness permanently stifled us, he had the luxury to call things as he saw them. Nowadays, I use more neutral words. I call them nonsensical questions. I even trained myself to ignore stand alone occurrences. However, there are two questions that pervade my professional life. As all pet peeves do, they cause undue frustration.
The first question is consistently asked by my subordinates and peers. You see, unless I attend to a confidential business matter, I always keep my office door opened. I believe it is good for employees' morale to see a CFO working as hard as I do.
So, these people see me all day long attending to my scheduled tasks, addressing issues, solving problems. I am consumed by work. Yet, EVERY TIME one of them needs me and comes to my door, they ask me THE SAME question, "Are you busy right now?" In response I want to scream, "Of course, I am busy. Can't you see?"
It doesn't mean that I am not available to discuss their problem if it is of higher priority, or scheduling them for a later time slot if it can wait. But why do they have to ask that question? At staff meetings, I teach them to approach this situation in a more sensible manner: come, don't ask the damn question, instead state your issue and let me decide if it requires immediate attention. Some learn, but the rest just cannot help themselves.
The second question is similar but essentially different in its nature. It's usually asked by the boss. And, as we already discussed, there is nothing you can do, but to bite your tongue. He has something on his mind, so he comes to your office. Here it comes, "What are you doing right now?"
The involuntary first reaction is, "What do you think? I am doing nothing. Just sitting here enjoying myself." But he does not imply you are not working. This is how their minds work: whatever is on his mind is the most important thing to him right now and in his opinion should be to you as well (even though you don't even know yet what it is). This attitude renders your current preoccupation irrelevant. Now, it is up to you to navigate the situation properly into the safe harbor. Over the years, I've developed an arsenal of methods. I am sure you have too, but if you need my help, please, don't hesitate to email.
The Frustrated CFO 