My boss often gives vague instructions and expects employees to take initiative. Recently, I was assigned a new task with minimal details. When I asked clarifying questions, I was told to “use my judgment” and that others don’t need this much guidance.
One example is: The task was to create a full social media campaign for an upcoming launch, including a content calendar, post designs, copywriting, and suggested ad targeting. My boss gave me only a very brief outline: “Plan a campaign for next month’s launch,” without providing brand guidelines, target audience details, tone preferences, or key messaging. I created the campaign based strictly on what little guidance I had and submitted it on time.
I might be the asshole if someone thinks I should have figured out exactly what he wanted without asking, but as a new hire with almost no guidance, I feel it was unreasonable for him to expect me to anticipate all the details.
So I completed the task based strictly on what was written and submitted it on time. The result met the instructions but didn’t match what my boss had envisioned.
He criticized the outcome and said I should have thought more creatively and taken initiative like my coworkers do. I pointed out that I followed the instructions given, and he said I was being “too literal.”
AITA for doing the task exactly as instructed instead of guessing what my boss wanted?
Maybe if you describe the task and what you did, it might be helpful.
I think you need to provide more context before we can answer. We don’t know the task or what you needed to do.
INFO: Without specifics, it’s hard to rule. Your boss is using terms like “creatively” and “initiative” doesn’t bode well for you in most tasks that I can imagine being given to someone.
YTA. You’re hiding behind “instructions” to avoid thinking. Grow up.
I agree with others, need more info.
I would also suggest speaking to coworkers to establish the process. You say you didnt know brand guidance or key audience – is this something your colleagues would typically research to find out or are they given this information? Understanding the parameters is important but then so is creativity in what sounds like an advertising job
NTA if you’re brand new to this position, but if your job is one where creative problem-solving or completing projects autonomously is expected, this may not be the career path for you.
As a manager in a white-collar field, I can say that having to micromanage and basically do the all the thinking work for anyone on my team is a sign that it’s not working.
Mild YTA. Ask for the creative brief and brand guide. That should have all the information you need. It sounds like this might better fit in at r/maliciouscompliance based on what I’m assuming you turned in based on the response. If you’re doing in house marketing, it’s literally your job to familiarize yourself with the brand you’re working for.
YTA.
If you want to keep that job, that’s not how you go about it. You might feel like you “outsmarted” your boss and get satisfaction from doing so, but that’s not what makes you a valued employee.
It doesn’t sound like you’re particular interested in this job, and it also seems like they expect a highly motivated employee – if you would like to have a more “malicious compliance” type mind set, you might enjoy working in jobs where there is less expectation of personal creativity/input on projects. If you want to stay in this industry, you will likely need to either change your attitude or get used to be annoyed lots.
It sounds like the OP was either straight out of school, or straight out of a job with a completely different work culture.
I have had bosses who give a vague description of what they want, but have a very specific notion of what you are supposed to deliver.
Actual creativity would involve doing things not match the expectation that they have been keeping secret (or maybe they do not possess the skills to express). The boss would then throw out most of the work done, and require one to redo the job, almost from scratch. It may take months to find out what they really want, if indeed it is possible.
YTA. Unless you’re planning on getting fired. Use your common sense. Come up with a couple of alternatives and get some feedback, whether from the boss or your co-workers. It can’t be that hard to source other completed projects that he signed off on.
YTA. So you want to be micro managed?