How to handle managers who give long winded answers that don't even answer the question

Question

I have a manager who tends to give long speeches even when talking one on one in informal settings (i.e. not scheduled meeting). The problem is I don't get an opportunity to ask questions or give input. For example he was talking about how there is room for upward movement in the company and how the owners are trying to bring our branch more inline with the company value. I would love to get specifics, for example "what company values" are we moving towards. But he just went on a tangent and talked so long everyone had to get back to their other responsibilities without any time for questions.

I'm not sure if he does this intentionally to deflect questions or giving specifics. Any advice on how to make a conversation more two way with people who tend to talk without stop?

Is there a specific workplace dynamic that makes it harder for you to interrupt him or ask your questions? If you're after advice to deal with people like this in general whether at work or elsewhere your question might be more at home on [interpersonal.se] instead. — Lilienthal, Sep 15 '20 at 07:54
Does this answer your question? Dealing with verbose colleagues politely — gnat, Sep 15 '20 at 10:22

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 15 '20 at 11:30

informal settings (i.e. not scheduled meeting)

For your own good, consider all the interactions with your manager as formal, even if you meet him when buying potatoes at the market. Additionally, consider all interactions on the premises of the company as formal - regardless of who is present and why.

there is room for upward movement in the company and how the owners are trying to bring our branch more inline with the company value

That is pure propaganda. Speeches done by bosses to show their employees how bosses they are. Trying to really understand what they say is not a good idea. "Forcing" them to actually explain what hey mean, and do it in a way that is understandable - well, you better swallow a live grenade (figuratively speaking).

I had a similar situation. Our direct manager informed us about some organizational changes. Among other, we were informed that was promoted to "DP" (or whatever meaningless letters). Trying to be proactive and involved (the way you want to be), I asked what is "DP". You cannot imagine the hate I received from my direct manager as a result - the hate being expressed especially by the mimic of the face. The only answer I received was: "But you do not know until now what "DP" is?" Of course, nobody knew, the title was just invented for that person. Colleagues (kissers up) of course followed, expressing their horror that I do not know what "DP" was.

So, out of 30+ people, nobody knew what was going on, but somehow I was the only "idiot" for not knowing.

But he just went on a tangent and talked so long everyone had to get back to their other responsibilities without any time for questions.

This only comes to confirm that whatever he said was a propaganda which he had to deliver, and that questions are not welcome or needed.

Bottom line: when your manager just serves propaganda, do not ask questions, just pretend to be positively surprised.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 15 '20 at 10:10

It is probably intentional. If he had some specific request to make he would make it.

Beware, this could be preparation for something, laying the groundwork for complaining that people are not doing the unspecified thing he was talking about. Vague terms like this are a warning sign.

Alternatively he could just be covering himself or responding to some vague criticism from his boss.

Polish your CV and hope it's nothing. Don't bother trying to ask for specifics, there aren't any.

How to handle managers who give long winded answers that don't even answer the question

2 Answers2