When your manager asks you to add to a slide, do you follow the format when he is super anal about format anyways?

Anonymous

July 17,2023 at 5:19PM UTC

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When your manager asks you to add to a slide, do you follow the format when he is super anal about format anyways? He told me to just add the accomplisments of a projects and he will add context. He has parts of the powerpoint done. I'm asking for reassurance here because when I ask him, he snaps at me.

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AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 5:26PM UTC
Yep! Always follow the current format. His context may just be verbal when he gives the presentation. Also, it will make him confident to speak if the slide is the same, otherwise he may be shocked and not able to verbalize what he wanted when he sees and "out of place" slide.
Alexis GladstoneJuly 17,2023 at 7:23PM UTC
I agree withe Carrie to follow the format of what is already there. We all create PowerPoint slides differently. Some people like a lot of context and others just the bullet points.
Follow his lead. If you think it will help to give him notes on the context, you can do that in a follow-up email or document.
TinaJuly 17,2023 at 8:02PM UTC
You (she) can add notes to the notes section on the slide so all data is together.
Alexis GladstoneJuly 18,2023 at 12:43PM UTC
Great idea Tina, assuming her manager uses that feature.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 17,2023 at 8:23PM UTC
As opposed to what? Coming up with your own format? I would recommend you follow the format your manager is already using.
AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 10:47PM UTC
When your boss has a preferred format, you use that format. I had a boss who HATED shaded spreadsheets/tables. All cells had to be white, all borders black. So all data was provided to her in her chosen format. Cause if it wasn't it was sent back anyway.
AnonymousJuly 18,2023 at 10:50AM UTC
If there's already a presentation in motion and you're asked to add to the slide ,yes, follow their format. Easy. Looking for content is not taking over their creation.
Liz MilneJuly 18,2023 at 9:48PM UTC
Personally, I'd use the format of the existing slides (easy enough to 'copy slide retaining format') and if he asks why you did it, say it was easier to use existing slides than insert a new unformatted slide?
But, it's not your manager's job to snap at you: good management means ensuring everyone has the skills and confidence to do their work... If he's always tetchy, time to a) do something about it by standing up to him or b) finding a new place of work...
E CJuly 19,2023 at 1:13PM UTC
I had a manager like this once. Beyond the organizational branding standards for slides, there were the "Karen standards" (that was actually her name). And yes, she would come to my office and literally throw up her hands in disgust over a "wrong" font. I did it her way to save my sanity, but it was an early clue that she was a micromanaging control freak. I got out of there.
AnonymousJuly 19,2023 at 3:54PM UTC
Ask him, if you don't ask you won't know. Let him know you want him to have to do the least amount of revisions there after you add to it. Whenever you get unclear information from an anal manager definitely fine tune what you need to know before proceeding.
Cindy GrossJuly 19,2023 at 6:16PM UTC
What about the format he wants (or quite likely that his boss or audience has dictated) doesn't work for you? Does your alternative fit what his audience needs and meet accessiblity standards? What's the clear benefit to changing it that would outweigh the time and potential argument to try to get a change in the format?
Lily GalarneauJuly 20,2023 at 12:31PM UTC
Yes, follow suit, not because he is "super anal" but for consistency purposes. And although you say he is "snappy" perhaps mention what you would have done differently if this was YOUR presentation. Good luck!
Julie EJuly 20,2023 at 6:23PM UTC
I would just use his format and not even ask. I know with the company I work for PowerPoint presentations follow brand standards. If your company has them use them and turn it in. He’s probably just looking for the content and will tweak it as needed. Not a good sign that he’s snappy though.