Is It Rude for Your Boss to Have You Ask Someone Else Higher Up for Their Opinion After Hearing Yours?

In some professional environments, it might initially seem disrespectful for a manager to ask you to seek the opinion of a higher-level colleague after they have already requested your input. However, this practice is often not as rude as it might appear at first glance. It can, in fact, be a strategic and collaborative approach to decision-making, especially in fields that demand a wide range of perspectives and expertise.

Understanding the Context

In a collaborative field such as engineering, where multiple experts with varying levels of experience and expertise are involved, the process of seeking opinions from higher-up colleagues is quite common. This practice serves a few crucial purposes:

Diverse Perspectives: Consulting senior team members ensures that the decision-making process incorporates a broader range of viewpoints, thereby enhancing the quality of decisions. Company Structure: In any organization, the hierarchy plays a significant role in information flow and decision-making. Delegating responsibility to more experienced colleagues can help manage time and resources effectively. Collaboration and Team Dynamics: Engaging all team members, no matter their level, fosters a sense of teamwork and respect within the organization.

Case Study: Engineering Environment

Working in engineering, where projects often have stringent constraints like budget and schedule, it is common to seek the opinion of senior team members before making a final decision. For instance, in a team consisting of three seasoned engineers, each with over 10 years of experience, the younger engineer may ask for their insights to ensure that the final solution aligns with the broader constraints and objectives.

During these discussions, it’s essential for the boss to clarify the context in which opinions are being sought. A diplomatic boss will make it clear that their goal is to gather as many professional perspectives as possible, ensuring that the decision-making process benefits from the diverse expertise of the team.

A Diplomatic Approach

A boss who requests your opinion and then asks higher-level colleagues for their thoughts is likely doing so for several reasons:

Diverse Expertise: They want to ensure that all relevant information and viewpoints are considered. Objectivity: Senior colleagues can provide a more objective assessment, free from personal biases. Team Morale: Including all team members in the decision-making process can boost morale and foster a collaborative environment.

Understanding that a boss might be relying on your opinion and then seeking additional perspectives can contribute to a positive work environment. In fact, it can be seen as a sign of trust and respect for your professional abilities.

A Practical Example

A few decades ago, the author was a principal engineer in a chemical plant, responsible for expanding the plant to double its original production capacity. During this expansion, the author raised concerns about the flare system's capacity to handle potential safety releases. Despite initial skepticism from his superiors, the author insisted, leading to a comprehensive risk assessment by a third-party firm.

The result of this assessment was alarming, revealing a potential risk that the author had initially feared. This further confirmed the value of consulting with higher-level colleagues and experts. In the end, the plant doubled the flare capacity, addressing the safety risks and demonstrating the importance of diverse perspectives.

The author’s persistence and the pursuit of expert opinions ultimately proved beneficial. It wasn’t seen as rude, but rather as a necessary step to ensure safety and reliability. The experience taught the author the value of methodically assessing risks and considering multiple viewpoints.

In conclusion, asking for additional opinions from senior colleagues after initially requesting your input is a common and often beneficial practice. It can lead to better decision-making, enhance professional growth, and foster a collaborative environment. While it may initially seem disrespectful, it is more likely a strategic and thoughtful approach to navigating complex professional challenges.