Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa answers a listener question about a manager who keeps asking different people the same question until he hears the opinion, number, or client story he wants. The episode explores why this behavior damages trust, undermines expertise, creates ethical risk, and teaches teams to go silent. It also offers practical steps for documenting patterns, responding with clarity, protecting data integrity, and escalating concerns when necessary.
Key Takeaways
• Shopping for answers is problematic for a business and for a team
• Ignoring expertise in favor of a wanted-for answer means teams start to shut down
• Employees should respond with documented, source-based answers and keep a record of repeated overrides of facts or numbers.
• If the behavior creates compliance, ethics, client, or reporting risk, it may need to be raised beyond the manager.
Additional Resources
Berthet, V. (2022). The Impact of Cognitive Biases on Professionals’ Decision-Making: A review of four occupational areas. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 802439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.802439
Hammond, J. S., Keeney, R. L., & Raiffa, H. (1998). The Hidden Traps in Decision Making. Harvard Business Review.
search for easy articles about how to manage a boss who shops around for answers - Google Search. (n.d.). https://www.google.com/search?q=search+for+easy+articles+about+how+to+manage+a+boss+who+shops+around+for+answers&oq
Wietrak, E. and Gifford, J. (2024) Trust and psychological safety: An evidence review. Practice summary and recommendations. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Video Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Listener Question
02:19 Shopping for Answers is a Business Buster
06:20 What to Do When Your Manager Shops for Answers
09:20 Additional Resources
10:59 Wrap Up & Submitting Your Question
11:26 Booking Information
keywords
workplace behavior, management, decision-making, trust, ethics, organizational culture, bias, leadership, workplace challenges
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The Ask Christa! show is designed to provide accurate, reliable, and practical insights into common business challenges and workplace issues. Dr. Christa Dhimo stands by the information she shares and the resources she provides; however, every situation is unique. Listeners are encouraged to use this podcast as a helpful resource while seeking additional professional advice when needed.
As such, the content of this podcast does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for guidance from qualified professionals who can consider your specific circumstances. Ask Christa! and its host disclaim liability for actions taken solely on the basis of the information provided here, especially if taken out of context.
