Mackey Chandler

Small snippet of Family Law 9

“I do lack experience,” Toby admitted. “I appreciate whatever life lessons shipmates can share.”

“Just be careful. There are plenty of jokesters who will string you along with false stories and think it’s funny. Be skeptical.”

“Do you understand why people do that?” Toby asked.

“I’ve heard some say they must feel they are better than you if they can fool you, but what does it really matter? Once you see them act like that, why waste energy pondering their reasons? Just cut them off as useless for anything and move on. Just be aware they especially like to pull this stuff on new guys.”

“Great, I can’t trust anybody,” Toby said.

“Well, if you suspect that is being done to you, there is another option.”

“Oh?” He had Toby’s attention now.

“Malicious compliance. I knew a fellow in supply in engineering. He was young but nowhere near as green as his new boss thought. The first thing he did was send the fellow off to get a left-hand wrench. There are all sorts of mythical devices to send newbies off to collect on fool’s errands, such as cable stretchers or right-handed screwdrivers. This fellow knew the game and happily said ‘Yes, sir,” and went off. He visited just about everybody in the facility, asked if they had a left-hand wrench with a wink and a smirk. So, he visited and got to meet everybody and ask what they did and who the competent people were. Used his whole shift, goofing off before reporting back that they were out of left-hand wrenches, but the supply master suggested turning a right-hand wrench over. In the end, it made his new boss look worse than him.”

“That’s a dangerous game,” Toby decided. “If it creates ill will with your new boss from the start.”

“Gibson shrugged. “Anything worth doing has risks, but if you run into orders that don’t make sense, call me. Be careful to tag the message private first, and I’ll try to tell you the straight stuff.”

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