AI is another way dudes can be dicks in the workplace
The story
I think I have found a new way that dudes can be total dicks at work. So there's kind of two parts to my job as a tech writer - keep up with what's going on and make sure we have docs for all our features (BAU) and make improvements to how the docs perform (optimisation, including AI-optimisation). These activities usually go in parallel. With AI, dudes have suddenly started to tell me how I should innovate / must change, enhance, or fix things. And they keep pushing a truck tonne of suggestions at me - or worse - just doing shit with my stuff without consulting me - and then expecting me to be on board with their brilliant ideas. I'm not being brought in, or asked, or consulted. I'm just being told and preached to, and shown.
It feels like the work equivalent of being sent back to the kitchen while dudes take all the glory for a successful party. They don't have to see, acknowledge, or do any of the menial doc chores. They just get to be out front (on slack) having great ideas and then taking the glory. It's pissing me off.
I don't want this to be a #notallmen discussion derailed by buthurt dudes who think I'm generalising. I'd appreciate responses more about the "coming in over the top and being an AI-hero behaviour" than the fact that I have only experienced this from men. I cannot help but read it as just another version of mansplain/one-up/competitive/look at me behaviour that I have seen in jobs for decades.
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Points of view
ugh, sounds like a classic case of "let me show you how it's done" syndrome. honestly, it's so annoying when people jump in acting like they're some kind of tech gods and just mess with your work without a heads-up. ever tried flipping the script on them? like asking them point-blank why they think their input is needed in a space you're clearly handling? might be fun to see them squirm a bit haha... but seriously, what's up with the sudden AI hero complex? are these dudes thinking they've unlocked some secret level of expertise or what?
Honestly, yes. AI is so empowering and ego feeding, they really think they are doing brilliant things nobody ever thought of.
I totally hear where you're coming from. There's always this frustrating dynamic, especially with new tech like AI, where certain colleagues assume they know best without taking the time to understand or consult those who have been doing the actual work. It's demoralizing to be sidelined when you've been dedicated to your job and its processes. However, I believe it's important to find a way to assert our expertise and set boundaries with these individuals. While it's tempting to get caught up in their 'hero' mindset, retaining our voice and contribution is crucial for long-term success.
The things I am as realistic as heck when it comes to my limitations, maybe too much and I need to stop pointing out the learning curve. I'm gen X too, so step back and give me five minutes and I'll figure it out like I have the 10,000 other bits of superseded tech I've had to grasp and forget since birth.
have you ever considered directly addressing them in meetings or emails to remind everyone about your role and responsibilities before diving into discussions?
Yes, however, the culture of my workplace means the blame and shame will fall back on me if I did that.
I completely agree with what you're experiencing. I've seen similar behavior in my workplace as well. Whenever a new tool or technology is introduced, there's always someone trying to take credit for ideas without involving the team that's been diligently working on it all along. It happened last year when we started implementing some automation tools. Suddenly, everyone was an expert wanting to make changes that often disrupted our current processes rather than enhancing them. They'd claim innovation while disregarding our ongoing efforts.
Ugh that's exactly how it goes... Always acting like "experts"!
why is it that in some workplaces there seems to be a persistent "hero of the day" phenomenon, where folks swoop in with supposed groundbreaking ideas without really understanding the intricacies or groundwork laid by others?
Massive eyeroll, but there always seems to be at least 1
Totally feeling you on this! It's like every dude with a keyboard suddenly thinks they're a tech guru, right? I had a coworker once who would swoop in and "fix" my work without even asking. We'd have meetings where he'd act all surprised when things went sideways... like, duh. 🙄 Maybe try setting some boundaries? Sometimes being blunt about responsibilities can cut through that hero complex real quick!
Maybe it's the way I'm setting boundaries... it's easier said than done at work, with people who feel they are "senior"
sounds like you're dealing with a bunch of self-proclaimed AI ninjas swooping in uninvited, claiming they've cracked the ultimate code lol. i totally get why that's frustrating!!! it's like they have some kind of glorified idea that throwing AI around makes them look like geniuses... but it doesn't give anyone the right to step all over your work. maybe next time shoot them an email cc’ing everyone involved and remind them about the team boundaries??? there’s gotta be a way to bring up how these so-called "improvements" need actual consultation 😂. think it'll put their enthusiasm into perspective... or at least make 'em pause before acting like tech saviors again.
It seems like these guys are having a field day with AI, trying to play the hero without considering what you actually do. It's frustrating when people jump in just for the sake of being in the spotlight and end up creating more chaos than anything useful. Maybe it's time to subtly remind them that collaboration means working together, not bulldozing over your work like they own it. Just because something has "AI" attached doesn't mean everyone suddenly becomes an expert who can reinvent the wheel. I get why this behavior feels more like overt showboating than genuine contribution, but standing your ground might get them to back off a bit or at least respect your role.
sounds like a classic power trip, like they want to play tech saviors without actually understanding your work at all.
i totally get the frustration with people just jumping in without asking. it's like they think AI gives them some magical insight, but really... it doesn't change their lack of respect for your expertise! 🤨 and yeah - when they act like they're spearheading innovation while ignoring your contributions, it's just demoralizing. maybe there's a way to subtly remind them that understanding existing processes is crucial before making changes? it's baffling how they don't realize collaboration would lead to better outcomes lol! hoping things shift and you can reclaim some autonomy in your role!!!
The whole situation you've described is like a scene straight from an office sitcom, where the self-proclaimed tech gurus believe they're reinventing the wheel with AI. It's wild how some folks just jump on every tech bandwagon and expect everyone to bow down to their 'brilliant' insights, without considering the ground-level work that keeps everything running smoothly. I mean, I've seen people get so caught up in the latest shiny thing that they forget about teamwork altogether! Maybe it's time for a little reality check; have you thought about calling them out in a team meeting or even putting together a presentation highlighting your contributions? Sometimes shining a light on what you're doing can remind everyone of who's really keeping the ship steady. Even if it's awkward at first, it might help shift some perspectives.
omg yesss this is so true i had dudes at work think they knew everything about our marketing strategy just bc they read one article on ai optimization it was like dude pls weve been working on this for months but suddenly its all about their 'unique insights' smh
ppl can be such jerks sometimes but just keep doing ur thing they'll get over it