Client says my memory is poor, and I'm too slow

[sbakoola]

Bring in a set of unsorted cards put 12 down on the table in front of the boss, photograph them with your phone camera put them back in the pack, re-shuffle the pack and say to him "now find the cards in the pack and place them down in the same order that I presented them to you" ... and immediately and irritatingly say things like .. "too slow... ... your output is not good enough and poor memory" .. as you watch him falter.

[vetran]

I do, mostly. I keep a todo list listing details of current tasks.
Trouble is they have these daily "stand-up" meetings first thing, and when I get in my recall of what I am working on is normally OK, but never perfect.
And sods law means that the one thing the PM says to me in passing one afternoon doesn't go into the list, and he'll refer to it two days later...

don't accept things in passing. say "that's a good point, can you send me a task / email with that in?". - you know what my memory is like.

[MicrosoftBob]

Write an app to calculate how much money you're making during every tulip and try and aim for the longest tulip ever

That should be enough motivation for a while

[Platypus]

always, always, write things down

then try to remember where youse wrote them

^ this

Get a notebook so that it's easy to remember where you wrote them.

[pjclarke]

Dang, why did I come in here?

[Platypus]

Record the stand-up with your smart phone?

[wonderboy]

He told me today that I was working too slow, and that my memory was poor, such that he had to remind me of what had been discussed. He said if I didn't improve I'd be out.

I sympathise because this guy is clearly not competent. A competent leader would never speak to you like this - it is unnecessary and counter productive. That said, I am not surprised, given that leadership positions are awarded not on merit but length of service, smooth talking or more typically, because the individual lacks the ability to actually do the job itself (i.e. being in a position of management is an actual filter for manipulative incompetence).

These people are at their nastiest when they feel out of their depth and they are flailing around issuing "random" commands and comments, thinking mainly about power plays and concealing their incompetence with little thought as to the impact on subordinates. Given this guy is new to the job, that might apply here.

Google for Michael O'Church's blog for some reading material to make yourself feel better.

I would look for a way to remove myself from the toxic manager, but failing that I'd ostensibly toe the line and quietly subvert.

[Mich the Tester]

I sympathise because this guy is clearly not competent. A competent leader would never speak to you like this - it is unnecessary and counter productive. That said, I am not surprised, given that leadership positions are awarded not on merit but length of service, smooth talking or more typically, because the individual lacks the ability to actually do the job itself (i.e. being in a position of management is an actual filter for manipulative incompetence).

These people are at their nastiest when they feel out of their depth and they are flailing around issuing "random" commands and comments, thinking mainly about power plays and concealing their incompetence with little thought as to the impact on subordinates. Given this guy is new to the job, that might apply here.

Google for Michael O'Church's blog for some reading material to make yourself feel better.

I would look for a way to remove myself from the toxic manager, but failing that I'd ostensibly toe the line and quietly subvert.

WHS * 1000

[doodab]

Get a notebook so that it's easy to remember where you wrote them.

Leuchtterm or the Oxford International ringbound ones are my favourites. Staples do some nice modular ones with movable dividers and refills of different kinds of paper in, they are good but they weigh a ton.

One note is good as well and integrates with outlook. You can use it online so no need to install.

[original PM]

I do, mostly. I keep a todo list listing details of current tasks.
Trouble is they have these daily "stand-up" meetings first thing, and when I get in my recall of what I am working on is normally OK, but never perfect.
And sods law means that the one thing the PM says to me in passing one afternoon doesn't go into the list, and he'll refer to it two days later...

don't accept things in passing. say "that's a good point, can you send me a task / email with that in?". - you know what my memory is like.

60-80% of a PM's job is communication - and that does not mean mentioning things in passing.

If you want to communicate you do it in writing making your requirements clear and concise so as to leave no room for ambiguity.

So yes as other people have said you have a ***** wit whose sole interest is making other people look bad so he looks good.

He has already made you question your abilities --- how long have you been contracting for?

But also if you are bored and cba just go get another contract.