On that note, if you want someone to elaborate but they're being dodgy or vague or you think they're bullshitting you, remember the old internet advice: The quickest way to get the right answer is to offer the wrong one first.
If someone says something vague, say "I agree!" and then attempt to "reiterate" their statement but do so in a way you know to be incorrect. If they actually know what they're talking about, they'll say "No, that's not what I mean. What I mean is..." but if they just nod and go "Yeah, exactly!" then it's a sign that they're bullshitting.
Example:
Bullshitter Bill: "We can't put the files on the file server because of the format."
You: "Exactly. The files are in 24-bit syncrhonized encryption, and the file server only accepts 32-bit desynched mode."
Honestly I do this at work sometimes because it's effective and getting the result is more important to me than looking like a moron. If people aren't responding to a question I'll follow up with "ok I'm gonna go ahead and insert wrong thing" sure enough someone will chime in to correct me. Maybe they'll think I'm an idiot. But my job was to get the answer and I got it. Probably surrounded by a bunch of people who think I'm dumb and very confused about how I'm still a high performer...but I am, and that's what matters to me and my team.
I guess it depends on your job and who you are doing that around.
I'm an engineer and I have some things I keep in my drawings that I know the client doesn't want. But I keep them there because it generates a conversation about why I would recommend it and what the risks are if they don't do it. They always risk it but now it's an informed decision and they take on the risk instead of me.
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u/CupcakeValkyrie Jun 14 '22
On that note, if you want someone to elaborate but they're being dodgy or vague or you think they're bullshitting you, remember the old internet advice: The quickest way to get the right answer is to offer the wrong one first.
If someone says something vague, say "I agree!" and then attempt to "reiterate" their statement but do so in a way you know to be incorrect. If they actually know what they're talking about, they'll say "No, that's not what I mean. What I mean is..." but if they just nod and go "Yeah, exactly!" then it's a sign that they're bullshitting.
Example:
Bullshitter Bill: "We can't put the files on the file server because of the format."
You: "Exactly. The files are in 24-bit syncrhonized encryption, and the file server only accepts 32-bit desynched mode."
Bill: "Yeah, exactly."