Is it clear? Is it authoritative?

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Nov 21, 2016

Let’s imagine that I’m your boss, and I summon you to meet me at my office tomorrow. Since you haven’t been here, I send directions. You find them confusing, so you ask: “Should I turn right or left as I come off the highway?”

I reply: “My directions are clear.”

You (being a polite person), write back: “Yes, I follow the directions, except at that one point. Should I turn right or left?”

I don’t reply.

When you tell other people that you’re having trouble with the directions to my office, I complain that some people never stop asking questions, and wonder aloud whether you have psychological problems. Meanwhile my receptionst sends out a memo scolding you for questioning my authority, since it should be quite obvious that I know where my office is.

Two questions:

1) Do you now know whether to turn right or left as you come off the highway?

2) How do you feel about working for me?