There's 2 junior architects in our office. I am the one with the best technical skills (took several internships while at school). The other guy is better at front end work, sketching and concept visuals. I usually do the heavy software work. However, now the boss wants me to give the other guy (my competitor) software training. I wonder what the boss' motive is. Is it about getting both of us juniors at the same skill level or perhaps looking to replace me? Obviously I don't want to train the other guy to do my work. I am afraid that if I refuse I 'll make a poor impression and encourage the boss to get rid of me. How can I avoid this while still appearing a team player? How would you deal with this? I think I ll send out a few CVs just in case.
JLC-1
Jan 24, 18 2:44 pm
you have to let go of your constant paranoia - If I was asked to do something like it, I would assume it is to see if the guy can get to your level, because he is not there, so you have a high hand. Train him, do it well, but at the same time improve yourself in areas that can't be taught to the other guy.
LITS4FormZ
Jan 24, 18 2:50 pm
As you move up in the ranks, training/mentoring others will become an increasingly valuable skill that is never taught in school or really fostered in practice.
Demonstrating mentoring and teaching abilities will show that you are ready to take on more responsibility in your current firm. If you move on from your current firm, this would be a great talking point in an interview and again a rare experience for a junior architect to have.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 3:06 pm
You establish your authority and value by sharing what you know not keeping it to yourself. If I found out that one of my employees had this sort of mentality I would be looking to off load them, quickly.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 4:40 pm
You should think of it as freeing yourself to do greater things.
Bloopox
Jan 24, 18 3:18 pm
The problem is apparent in your thread title. You certainly won't appear to be a team player if you look at the other guy as your "competitor". You won't appear to be a team player unless you can actually look at your coworkers as teammates and work with them that way.
Your boss sees your skills as valuable, and something that would be useful for both of you to have. He sees you as competent to train someone. These are good things. So there are two possibilities: 1. Your boss wants both of you to have your skills, because they're useful enough skills that it would be good to have 2 people who can do them at once, or so that he can be more flexible in assigning each of you to project tasks/phases. Perhaps the other guy also has skills that your boss will later ask him to train you in. Or 2. Your boss wants you to train him so that he'll have your skills and they won't be missed when you're let go.
It's more likely to be Reason 1. But even if it is Reason 2, it's not going to help you at all to be difficult about it. Do a good job and at least you can leave with a good reference.
null pointer
Jan 24, 18 3:33 pm
Ask for a raise. It's like you guys don't understand basic economics/finance.
If you ever need to work for the enemy, or someone who could pose a risk to your status, you need to price in the risk.
Simple
zonker
Jan 24, 18 4:09 pm
don't do it - I did, and now, i'm reporting to someone with 1/2 my experience and now im told my job is on the line
archietechie
Jan 24, 18 4:27 pm
^ Always refreshing to hear the contrarian POV.
null pointer
Jan 24, 18 4:52 pm
Yeah, but you like it. Learned helplessness is learned.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 5:41 pm
Xenakis, thank you. It's common
gebr
Jan 24, 18 5:42 pm
Xenakis, thank you. It's common sense isn't it?
bowling_ball
Jan 25, 18 11:52 pm
No, it's not common sense. Look at it this way - if you're a junior architect (not sure what that means) and you're seen only as your software skills, your employer sucks and you don't want to work with them anyway. On the other hand, this is a totally normal situation and the paranoia isn't going to do anybody any good.
Non Sequitur
Jan 24, 18 4:27 pm
GEBR, I'd get rid of you in a flash if you see your coworkers are competitors.... it's a team deal and such attitudes are poisonous.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 4:42 pm
Agreed. This kind of attitude more than anything is what prevents teams from getting better.
revitmonk
Jan 24, 18 4:29 pm
Maybe ask your boss if that guy can teach you design and “front end work”?
archanonymous
Jan 24, 18 5:03 pm
if you are on the clock getting paid for this, shut up and do the work you were assigned.
He is your co-worker, not your competitor.
The only people I've ever run in to who treated their firm like this were not nearly as good as they thought they were. The one's who are most open and excited to share, teach, and learn are usually the smartest, brightest, and most motivated people in the office.
bowling_ball
Jan 25, 18 11:56 pm
Exactly. So much. The more open and amenable you are, while following through, the more valuable you are to the firm. Even though at times I've been cynical of the stuff going on around me at the office, I've almost always said yes. It works.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 5:17 pm
Let's get some things straight:
1)I am an architect and was hired in an architectural position. Training employees in software is outside the scope of my services. To me it seems that the boss is a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for seminars or software consultants like all respectable practices do.
2)Contrary to my wish, the other guy is my competitor as he is actively competing against me. I didn't initiate this kind of relationship, but he did. At times he attempted to make me look bad in the eyes of the management and at other times he tried to dump his dirty work on me, when he couldn't finish in time for a deadline. The way it works in my practice is more like every man for himself, rather than team effort. It's very tough and competitive.
3) I am not going to be a pushover and give away hard earned experience without getting anything back. The argument that I am get paid for this is absurd. As I stated above my billable time described I my contract relates to architectural service and not software skills handout.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 5:33 pm
Disgusting. Wouldn't want this kind of thing anywhere near my practice. Sounds like you need to start your own solo practice in a hole somewhere.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 5:47 pm
Yes the real world is disgusting did you just realise?
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 5:52 pm
Mine is not. As an Architect the world is truly what you make of it.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 6:04 pm
An idealist commenting on the internet. How uncommon.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 6:08 pm
I run into a lot of materialist pricks like yourself, they don't last long
gebr
Jan 24, 18 6:28 pm
I think they last the longest. They are called businessmen.
Lackey
Jan 24, 18 8:41 pm
Good Lord JL - we don't know the whole story, you are speculating a lot on GEBR's credibility. Lighten up.
geezertect
Jan 24, 18 9:13 pm
^ Yes, JL, if the world is what you made of it then why don't you clean it up tomorrow afternoon? Start with Syria, maybe.
Seriously, we don't know all the facts and never will. The OP may be paranoid with good reason. Doesn't sound like he's in a good place, at least for him. Maybe the boss senses this and is trying to milk the cow one last time before sending it to the slaughter house.
sameolddoctor
Jan 25, 18 2:14 pm
"I am an architect and was hired in an architectural position. Training employees in software is outside the scope of my services."
This says a lot about you. You are a whiny prick, and not interested in advancing up the chain, as you dont want to mentor or even help anyone. You will remain a lowly draftsman for ever and ever if you dont change your attitude.
Non Sequitur
Jan 24, 18 5:22 pm
^fired. Sour people like you are a dime a dozen. No room for this drama.
thisisnotmyname
Jan 24, 18 5:38 pm
Get another job and leave your current firm. "Every man for himself" offices are dreadful places to work. There are much better places out there.
Steeplechase
Jan 24, 18 6:51 pm
Sounds more like a personal problem than a firm problem.
thisisnotmyname
Jan 24, 18 6:54 pm
Not necessarily, I've been in multiple firms where management thought it was a good idea to pit staff members against each other.
Steeplechase
Jan 24, 18 8:07 pm
I’m not doubting that toxic environments exist, but given the general attitude presented this sounds more like it will be a persistent problem.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 5:40 pm
I don't care if you don't like my stance on this. It seems quite hypocritical actually as if you haven't ever experienced a competitive environment. In any case the guy I am referring to is a co-worker but doesn't act like one, so I am not going to support him.
JonathanLivingston
Jan 24, 18 5:51 pm
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
Le Courvoisier
Jan 24, 18 5:43 pm
^$10 bucks he doesn't tell his boss that.
Good luck with your unemployment and job search.
null pointer
Jan 24, 18 5:58 pm
Yup. If any of my employees came to me with the same complaint, I'd take that hint of malice / competitiveness and figure out whether it's worth cultivating it into a partner or whether I should fire his ass.
mantaray
Jan 24, 18 6:15 pm
If your workplace is really that toxic then why do you stay?
Wouldn't you PREFER to work in a place where colleagues don't view each other as competitors if, as you say, this dynamic is being foisted on you unwillingly?
Sounds depressing as hell. And fitting that Xenakis is the only one who agrees with you... he has a notorious persecution complex.
StephenW
Jan 24, 18 6:18 pm
you've said in previous threads that you think this firm is struggling recently. There have been layoffs and you're worried about your job security. But you think they should spend money on sending your coworker to software camp. If it comes down to spending on that or your salary, which do you prefer?
You said your coworker actively tries to make you look bad. You'll be giving him the ultimate way to do that by not training him.
I'd say, given your feelings about the situation, that you should leave by your own decision, as quickly as possible. If you stay you most likely will be on the chopping block soon as you fear - and with a bad reputation to follow you. Get another job as soon as you can, and quit graciously, then ask for a reference letter.
gebr
Jan 24, 18 6:38 pm
Yes the firm I cheap so I wouldn't expect them to spend too much money on software training. When l asked them for training they said no. I would however expect the other guy to sacrifice his evenings (like all non entitled grown ups do) and learn the software rather than waste my billable time before badmouthing
me once more to the management.
sameolddoctor
Jan 25, 18 8:26 pm
VERY FEW firms spend on software training. Even the large ones will send a COUPLE of their employees to Autodesk University and cal it a day. If the boss wants you to use his billable hours to even take a dump, you do it without whining like a spoilt kid.
bowling_ball
Jan 26, 18 12:02 am
Yes, gebr doesn't see that the boss IS spending money on software training - sacrificing both their and their co-worker's billable hours.
Gloominati
Jan 24, 18 6:30 pm
My bet is that your firm is slow, and your boss is trying to keep you both employed while they try to wait out a slump. He's trying to find something to keep you both busy, while accomplishing something productive. Instead of reading it as a "cheapskate" move, you might consider that it's an expression of optimism - they value you enough to try to keep you while they wait for some newer, bigger, better projects to come in, on which you can do what you're really there to do.
geezertect
Jan 24, 18 9:21 pm
If the firm is slow, the boss is trying to see if he can consolidate two positions into one, i.e. lay off one person. Firms in this profession rarely keep someone on the payroll with busy work if the future looks slow. Hire/fire is the norm.
accesskb
Jan 24, 18 8:35 pm
You have problems. I think we of all professions should realize that we can't make it far on our own. Don't hesitate to teach anyone interested in learning. Don't forget to learn more yourself so you are seen as an asset and not someone who can be easily replaced.
kjdt
Jan 24, 18 11:05 pm
It's difficult to understand what kind of advice you're seeking. First you say you're worried about making a poor impression and getting fired. In a previous post you said you've only been there a matter of months, you know you're not indispensable, a lot of projects have gone on hold, and several others have left that firm or not had their contracts renewed. Overall I'd agree that's pretty thin ice. You ask how to avoid making a bad impression and how you can look like a team player, but then you lash out at all suggestions about how to look like (or actually be) a team player. And you say you're sending out CVs, but you don't seem to like it when others agree that might be a good idea.
So... what is the advice you're hoping for? How about: you should definitely continue to refuse to help the other guy. You're an architect, that's not what you went to school for. Make sure your boss knows it. You've been there a whole majority of a year already - that should be enough dues-paying! All those other people who left made it easy for you: the firm can't possibly afford to lose you too. Go to your boss tomorrow morning with a list of demands. Make sure to tell him how inferior your competitor is, and why you aren't going to train him. That firm is your oyster now.
There. Better now?
randomised
Jan 25, 18 2:52 am
Software knowledge is not as valuable as people think, anyone can go on YouTube and get a hang of it. You picked stuff up at some internships, big fucking deal...it's the front end stuff that makes the difference, that's where the ideas come from and the designs are made and the clients seduced. If you don't have those skills you'll reach your peak pretty soon and reach your plateau while others still grow, develop and learn, and they will become your superiors because they are architects. That's what your boss realised and he is using you to make your colleague a better asset to the firm, you're way more replaceable, anyone can do a couple of internships where skilled seniors show you the ropes, the front end stuff is where it's at...I'd seriously work on those and your attitude or you'll be unemployed pretty soon.
Volunteer
Jan 25, 18 9:12 am
You are really working for the clients of your firm who pay your salary in the final instance. Anything you can do to help them receive a better service from your firm, whether directed by your supervisor or not, is something you should do.
You are also building you own reputation as an employee. Whether that will be as a collegial employee willing to help out when things get tight or as a coworker who only looks out for himself is up to you.
Train the guy and be pleasant and friendly about it. In the unlikely instance you may be let go, thank the firm for the experience, offer to finish any outstanding work, and wish them well. There is no valid second option even if you were recruited by some starchitect over the phone today.
hellion
Jan 25, 18 10:03 am
Do what Emily Charlton did for Andy Sachs. Guess who kept her job?
Wood Guy
Jan 25, 18 11:14 am
Not to brag, but for perspective, I've never had a bit of trouble finding or keeping work. 22 years in the construction and/or design world, never one day without more work than I can take on. I think a key reason is that I have always shared whatever I know or learn freely. Although I'm not licensed, I have outlasted many more experienced and/or licensed architects and designers.
I've never worked at a big firm; I'm sure it can be different, but as a manager it's easy to spot the difference between a team player and someone who hoards their knowledge. Your manager is either testing you, keeping you employed until things pick up, or getting what they can out of you before they kick you out the door. In any of the three scenarios, what's the harm in sharing your knowledge? You may have better luck at another firm, but you should also reconsider your whole approach to the profession.
zonker
Jan 25, 18 12:47 pm
those of us who worked hard at developing BIM, arent just going to give away 8+ years of knowledge to a designer with 1- 3 years exp - they need to pay their dues like the rest of us - nobody rides for free
Non Sequitur
Jan 25, 18 12:52 pm
...and that's why you're constantly looking for work. I'm the go-to BIM/software guru in my office and I make a huge effort to train and explain things to the junior staff... and to add to that, regardless of how busy I am, I will always carve out time to teach or demonstrate something.
Wood Guy
Jan 25, 18 1:28 pm
And you think that it takes more effort to learn BIM than it does to learn about building science, construction estimating, construction administration, client management, or any of the other thousand things an architect or designer should know, and that the less experienced folks in your firm would benefit from understanding? Please. Keep worrying about finding and keeping your next job. I'll keep worrying about how to get all of the projects on my desk completed.
gebr
Jan 25, 18 1:29 pm
When I asked for training on a software package I was not familiar with, the boss said no. I had to spend evenings to get up to speed. Why is the other guy expected to get a software skills handout instead? This is discrimination the least. This is what is happening and I won't sit there and get bullied out of my job by a kid that can only draw pretty pictures.
Wood Guy
Jan 25, 18 1:33 pm
Life isn't fair. We make our own luck. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours of my own time, and thousands of dollars of my own money learning how to be better at my job. I give it away to colleagues for free (or get paid to teach or write about it). Good luck on your journey.
Wood Guy
Jan 25, 18 2:21 pm
Regarding discrimination, if you are in a protected class and the other person is not, it could be a different story.
Flatfish
Jan 25, 18 2:38 pm
When you asked for software training and were turned down, was your office busier at that time? Was there billable work for your to do during the daytime that was more important? Is there billable work now for you to do? If so that will make it easier to attempt to get your boss to give up the idea of you training him. You can try saying you're too busy with [name of project] to spare the time.
If, on the other hand, there's nothing much billable to which to assign you right now, then you might need to look at this as an alternative between training him and hitting the street.
Do you know whether there's some good project on hold right now, waiting in the wings, with good odds of coming along within a few weeks or a month or so? If so then your firm's probably just trying to maintain a holding pattern and keep you busy. If this is expected to be a short slow-down, up to 6 weeks or so, then it's more cost-effective to keep you doing busy-work than to hire someone new and start from scratch in training them, and you'll be better able to hit the new project running than a new hire would be. That may be your firm's thinking.
StephenW
Jan 25, 18 4:51 pm
He's in the UK. The protected classes and legal processes differ in some ways.
StephenW
Jan 25, 18 5:07 pm
He could, but he's a recent grad with a few months of experience, coming from a 40+ person firm where until recently he was exposed mostly to one phase of their work. He's a self-identified introvert who doesn't like to interact with others. He's in a somewhat down economy for architects in his location. The whole package doesn't really point to setting up shop as a sole proprietor being the best move at this moment in his career. He'd probably fare better and be more interested and comfortable in a job in another large-ish firm.
zonker
Jan 25, 18 12:59 pm
Non Sequitur
I used to work for a large big name firm, and I did exactly what you did, they didn't like it - they wanted everyone to learn on their own, then I got laid off - 1 year w/o work? and its been a struggle ever since - sorry
Non Sequitur
Jan 25, 18 1:17 pm
I can understand that. Thanks for the follow-up. A large local firm in my market is 25 people... and I think there are only a handful of players at that scale. Everyone is expected to pitch in and contribute.
zonker
Jan 25, 18 1:28 pm
That being said, I teach everyone what they need to know about Revit - 3/4 of what my office does us front end - I'm strictly production - I know I will never be a designer here - not having aspirations is great - and I'm freed up to teach - but I do t really need to anymore, because everyone gets their Revit knowledge from the net and Revit kid - so, between that, outsourcing, and very bright kids, I've become a "archi-Dotard" redundancy - "back on the road again"
christianpepper
Jan 25, 18 7:19 pm
Your coworker is not your competitor, end of discussion.
arch76
Jan 25, 18 10:12 pm
All of life is a risk. On one hand, you have been handed a unique opportunity to demonstrate and teach your considerable skills, and get paid for it. On the other hand, you could be training your future consolidation candidate/replacement. I trend toward the more optimistic replies upthread, and I try to be a valuable contributor and giver to the cosmic architectural karma around me whenever I can, because I feel like I have taken so much from it. Its worked for me, so far. Hedge your risk, but realize you participate in, and ultimately make the reality around you.
hkhk
Feb 11, 18 11:17 pm
After reading through these comments I'm going to suspend some unhelpful snark and say embrace the chance to develop a skill of teaching on the job. This will likely make you more marketable than a hoarded specific software knowledge ever will. Also, find a therapist because that the attitude you're showing in this thread, while possibly "acceptable" in the current office will make you virtually unemployable in many cases and could be really damaging if applied to other relationships.
There's 2 junior architects in our office. I am the one with the best technical skills (took several internships while at school). The other guy is better at front end work, sketching and concept visuals. I usually do the heavy software work. However, now the boss wants me to give the other guy (my competitor) software training. I wonder what the boss' motive is. Is it about getting both of us juniors at the same skill level or perhaps looking to replace me? Obviously I don't want to train the other guy to do my work. I am afraid that if I refuse I 'll make a poor impression and encourage the boss to get rid of me. How can I avoid this while still appearing a team player? How would you deal with this? I think I ll send out a few CVs just in case.
you have to let go of your constant paranoia - If I was asked to do something like it, I would assume it is to see if the guy can get to your level, because he is not there, so you have a high hand. Train him, do it well, but at the same time improve yourself in areas that can't be taught to the other guy.
As you move up in the ranks, training/mentoring others will become an increasingly valuable skill that is never taught in school or really fostered in practice.
Demonstrating mentoring and teaching abilities will show that you are ready to take on more responsibility in your current firm. If you move on from your current firm, this would be a great talking point in an interview and again a rare experience for a junior architect to have.
You establish your authority and value by sharing what you know not keeping it to yourself. If I found out that one of my employees had this sort of mentality I would be looking to off load them, quickly.
You should think of it as freeing yourself to do greater things.
The problem is apparent in your thread title. You certainly won't appear to be a team player if you look at the other guy as your "competitor". You won't appear to be a team player unless you can actually look at your coworkers as teammates and work with them that way.
Your boss sees your skills as valuable, and something that would be useful for both of you to have. He sees you as competent to train someone. These are good things. So there are two possibilities: 1. Your boss wants both of you to have your skills, because they're useful enough skills that it would be good to have 2 people who can do them at once, or so that he can be more flexible in assigning each of you to project tasks/phases. Perhaps the other guy also has skills that your boss will later ask him to train you in. Or 2. Your boss wants you to train him so that he'll have your skills and they won't be missed when you're let go.
It's more likely to be Reason 1. But even if it is Reason 2, it's not going to help you at all to be difficult about it. Do a good job and at least you can leave with a good reference.
Ask for a raise. It's like you guys don't understand basic economics/finance.
If you ever need to work for the enemy, or someone who could pose a risk to your status, you need to price in the risk.
Simple
don't do it - I did, and now, i'm reporting to someone with 1/2 my experience and now im told my job is on the line
^ Always refreshing to hear the contrarian POV.
Yeah, but you like it. Learned helplessness is learned.
Xenakis, thank you. It's common
Xenakis, thank you. It's common sense isn't it?
No, it's not common sense. Look at it this way - if you're a junior architect (not sure what that means) and you're seen only as your software skills, your employer sucks and you don't want to work with them anyway. On the other hand, this is a totally normal situation and the paranoia isn't going to do anybody any good.
GEBR, I'd get rid of you in a flash if you see your coworkers are competitors.... it's a team deal and such attitudes are poisonous.
Agreed. This kind of attitude more than anything is what prevents teams from getting better.
Maybe ask your boss if that guy can teach you design and “front end work”?
if you are on the clock getting paid for this, shut up and do the work you were assigned.
He is your co-worker, not your competitor.
The only people I've ever run in to who treated their firm like this were not nearly as good as they thought they were. The one's who are most open and excited to share, teach, and learn are usually the smartest, brightest, and most motivated people in the office.
Exactly. So much. The more open and amenable you are, while following through, the more valuable you are to the firm. Even though at times I've been cynical of the stuff going on around me at the office, I've almost always said yes. It works.
Let's get some things straight:
1)I am an architect and was hired in an architectural position. Training employees in software is outside the scope of my services. To me it seems that the boss is a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for seminars or software consultants like all respectable practices do.
2)Contrary to my wish, the other guy is my competitor as he is actively competing against me. I didn't initiate this kind of relationship, but he did. At times he attempted to make me look bad in the eyes of the management and at other times he tried to dump his dirty work on me, when he couldn't finish in time for a deadline. The way it works in my practice is more like every man for himself, rather than team effort. It's very tough and competitive.
3) I am not going to be a pushover and give away hard earned experience without getting anything back. The argument that I am get paid for this is absurd. As I stated above my billable time described I my contract relates to architectural service and not software skills handout.
Disgusting. Wouldn't want this kind of thing anywhere near my practice. Sounds like you need to start your own solo practice in a hole somewhere.
Yes the real world is disgusting did you just realise?
Mine is not. As an Architect the world is truly what you make of it.
An idealist commenting on the internet. How uncommon.
I run into a lot of materialist pricks like yourself, they don't last long
I think they last the longest. They are called businessmen.
Good Lord JL - we don't know the whole story, you are speculating a lot on GEBR's credibility. Lighten up.
^ Yes, JL, if the world is what you made of it then why don't you clean it up tomorrow afternoon? Start with Syria, maybe.
Seriously, we don't know all the facts and never will. The OP may be paranoid with good reason. Doesn't sound like he's in a good place, at least for him. Maybe the boss senses this and is trying to milk the cow one last time before sending it to the slaughter house.
"I am an architect and was hired in an architectural position. Training employees in software is outside the scope of my services."
This says a lot about you. You are a whiny prick, and not interested in advancing up the chain, as you dont want to mentor or even help anyone. You will remain a lowly draftsman for ever and ever if you dont change your attitude.
^fired. Sour people like you are a dime a dozen. No room for this drama.
Get another job and leave your current firm. "Every man for himself" offices are dreadful places to work. There are much better places out there.
Sounds more like a personal problem than a firm problem.
Not necessarily, I've been in multiple firms where management thought it was a good idea to pit staff members against each other.
I’m not doubting that toxic environments exist, but given the general attitude presented this sounds more like it will be a persistent problem.
I don't care if you don't like my stance on this. It seems quite hypocritical actually as if you haven't ever experienced a competitive environment. In any case the guy I am referring to is a co-worker but doesn't act like one, so I am not going to support him.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
^$10 bucks he doesn't tell his boss that.
Good luck with your unemployment and job search.
Yup. If any of my employees came to me with the same complaint, I'd take that hint of malice / competitiveness and figure out whether it's worth cultivating it into a partner or whether I should fire his ass.
If your workplace is really that toxic then why do you stay?
Wouldn't you PREFER to work in a place where colleagues don't view each other as competitors if, as you say, this dynamic is being foisted on you unwillingly?
Sounds depressing as hell. And fitting that Xenakis is the only one who agrees with you... he has a notorious persecution complex.
you've said in previous threads that you think this firm is struggling recently. There have been layoffs and you're worried about your job security. But you think they should spend money on sending your coworker to software camp. If it comes down to spending on that or your salary, which do you prefer?
You said your coworker actively tries to make you look bad. You'll be giving him the ultimate way to do that by not training him.
I'd say, given your feelings about the situation, that you should leave by your own decision, as quickly as possible. If you stay you most likely will be on the chopping block soon as you fear - and with a bad reputation to follow you. Get another job as soon as you can, and quit graciously, then ask for a reference letter.
Yes the firm I cheap so I wouldn't expect them to spend too much money on software training. When l asked them for training they said no. I would however expect the other guy to sacrifice his evenings (like all non entitled grown ups do) and learn the software rather than waste my billable time before badmouthing me once more to the management.
VERY FEW firms spend on software training. Even the large ones will send a COUPLE of their employees to Autodesk University and cal it a day. If the boss wants you to use his billable hours to even take a dump, you do it without whining like a spoilt kid.
Yes, gebr doesn't see that the boss IS spending money on software training - sacrificing both their and their co-worker's billable hours.
My bet is that your firm is slow, and your boss is trying to keep you both employed while they try to wait out a slump. He's trying to find something to keep you both busy, while accomplishing something productive. Instead of reading it as a "cheapskate" move, you might consider that it's an expression of optimism - they value you enough to try to keep you while they wait for some newer, bigger, better projects to come in, on which you can do what you're really there to do.
If the firm is slow, the boss is trying to see if he can consolidate two positions into one, i.e. lay off one person. Firms in this profession rarely keep someone on the payroll with busy work if the future looks slow. Hire/fire is the norm.
You have problems. I think we of all professions should realize that we can't make it far on our own. Don't hesitate to teach anyone interested in learning. Don't forget to learn more yourself so you are seen as an asset and not someone who can be easily replaced.
It's difficult to understand what kind of advice you're seeking. First you say you're worried about making a poor impression and getting fired. In a previous post you said you've only been there a matter of months, you know you're not indispensable, a lot of projects have gone on hold, and several others have left that firm or not had their contracts renewed. Overall I'd agree that's pretty thin ice. You ask how to avoid making a bad impression and how you can look like a team player, but then you lash out at all suggestions about how to look like (or actually be) a team player. And you say you're sending out CVs, but you don't seem to like it when others agree that might be a good idea.
So... what is the advice you're hoping for? How about: you should definitely continue to refuse to help the other guy. You're an architect, that's not what you went to school for. Make sure your boss knows it. You've been there a whole majority of a year already - that should be enough dues-paying! All those other people who left made it easy for you: the firm can't possibly afford to lose you too. Go to your boss tomorrow morning with a list of demands. Make sure to tell him how inferior your competitor is, and why you aren't going to train him. That firm is your oyster now.
There. Better now?
Software knowledge is not as valuable as people think, anyone can go on YouTube and get a hang of it. You picked stuff up at some internships, big fucking deal...it's the front end stuff that makes the difference, that's where the ideas come from and the designs are made and the clients seduced. If you don't have those skills you'll reach your peak pretty soon and reach your plateau while others still grow, develop and learn, and they will become your superiors because they are architects. That's what your boss realised and he is using you to make your colleague a better asset to the firm, you're way more replaceable, anyone can do a couple of internships where skilled seniors show you the ropes, the front end stuff is where it's at...I'd seriously work on those and your attitude or you'll be unemployed pretty soon.
You are really working for the clients of your firm who pay your salary in the final instance. Anything you can do to help them receive a better service from your firm, whether directed by your supervisor or not, is something you should do.
You are also building you own reputation as an employee. Whether that will be as a collegial employee willing to help out when things get tight or as a coworker who only looks out for himself is up to you.
Train the guy and be pleasant and friendly about it. In the unlikely instance you may be let go, thank the firm for the experience, offer to finish any outstanding work, and wish them well. There is no valid second option even if you were recruited by some starchitect over the phone today.
Do what Emily Charlton did for Andy Sachs. Guess who kept her job?
Not to brag, but for perspective, I've never had a bit of trouble finding or keeping work. 22 years in the construction and/or design world, never one day without more work than I can take on. I think a key reason is that I have always shared whatever I know or learn freely. Although I'm not licensed, I have outlasted many more experienced and/or licensed architects and designers.
I've never worked at a big firm; I'm sure it can be different, but as a manager it's easy to spot the difference between a team player and someone who hoards their knowledge. Your manager is either testing you, keeping you employed until things pick up, or getting what they can out of you before they kick you out the door. In any of the three scenarios, what's the harm in sharing your knowledge? You may have better luck at another firm, but you should also reconsider your whole approach to the profession.
those of us who worked hard at developing BIM, arent just going to give away 8+ years of knowledge to a designer with 1- 3 years exp - they need to pay their dues like the rest of us - nobody rides for free
...and that's why you're constantly looking for work. I'm the go-to BIM/software guru in my office and I make a huge effort to train and explain things to the junior staff... and to add to that, regardless of how busy I am, I will always carve out time to teach or demonstrate something.
And you think that it takes more effort to learn BIM than it does to learn about building science, construction estimating, construction administration, client management, or any of the other thousand things an architect or designer should know, and that the less experienced folks in your firm would benefit from understanding? Please. Keep worrying about finding and keeping your next job. I'll keep worrying about how to get all of the projects on my desk completed.
When I asked for training on a software package I was not familiar with, the boss said no. I had to spend evenings to get up to speed. Why is the other guy expected to get a software skills handout instead? This is discrimination the least. This is what is happening and I won't sit there and get bullied out of my job by a kid that can only draw pretty pictures.
Life isn't fair. We make our own luck. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours of my own time, and thousands of dollars of my own money learning how to be better at my job. I give it away to colleagues for free (or get paid to teach or write about it). Good luck on your journey.
Regarding discrimination, if you are in a protected class and the other person is not, it could be a different story.
When you asked for software training and were turned down, was your office busier at that time? Was there billable work for your to do during the daytime that was more important? Is there billable work now for you to do? If so that will make it easier to attempt to get your boss to give up the idea of you training him. You can try saying you're too busy with [name of project] to spare the time.
If, on the other hand, there's nothing much billable to which to assign you right now, then you might need to look at this as an alternative between training him and hitting the street.
Do you know whether there's some good project on hold right now, waiting in the wings, with good odds of coming along within a few weeks or a month or so? If so then your firm's probably just trying to maintain a holding pattern and keep you busy. If this is expected to be a short slow-down, up to 6 weeks or so, then it's more cost-effective to keep you doing busy-work than to hire someone new and start from scratch in training them, and you'll be better able to hit the new project running than a new hire would be. That may be your firm's thinking.
He's in the UK. The protected classes and legal processes differ in some ways.
He could, but he's a recent grad with a few months of experience, coming from a 40+ person firm where until recently he was exposed mostly to one phase of their work. He's a self-identified introvert who doesn't like to interact with others. He's in a somewhat down economy for architects in his location. The whole package doesn't really point to setting up shop as a sole proprietor being the best move at this moment in his career. He'd probably fare better and be more interested and comfortable in a job in another large-ish firm.
Non Sequitur
I used to work for a large big name firm, and I did exactly what you did, they didn't like it - they wanted everyone to learn on their own, then I got laid off - 1 year w/o work? and its been a struggle ever since - sorry
I can understand that. Thanks for the follow-up. A large local firm in my market is 25 people... and I think there are only a handful of players at that scale. Everyone is expected to pitch in and contribute.
That being said, I teach everyone what they need to know about Revit - 3/4 of what my office does us front end - I'm strictly production - I know I will never be a designer here - not having aspirations is great - and I'm freed up to teach - but I do t really need to anymore, because everyone gets their Revit knowledge from the net and Revit kid - so, between that, outsourcing, and very bright kids, I've become a "archi-Dotard" redundancy - "back on the road again"
Your coworker is not your competitor, end of discussion.
All of life is a risk. On one hand, you have been handed a unique opportunity to demonstrate and teach your considerable skills, and get paid for it. On the other hand, you could be training your future consolidation candidate/replacement. I trend toward the more optimistic replies upthread, and I try to be a valuable contributor and giver to the cosmic architectural karma around me whenever I can, because I feel like I have taken so much from it. Its worked for me, so far. Hedge your risk, but realize you participate in, and ultimately make the reality around you.
After reading through these comments I'm going to suspend some unhelpful snark and say embrace the chance to develop a skill of teaching on the job. This will likely make you more marketable than a hoarded specific software knowledge ever will. Also, find a therapist because that the attitude you're showing in this thread, while possibly "acceptable" in the current office will make you virtually unemployable in many cases and could be really damaging if applied to other relationships.