thanks for the comments.

Do I have an inferiority complex? Maybe I do. Regardless…

I’ve had a number comments respond in a similar way to yours, and I think what is apparent is that I didn’t communicate the fact that I don’t have a problem with people letting me know that I have confused them per se, but I do if they are telling me in a way to make some other additional, implied point, i.e. “I disagree with you, and so telling you I’m confused makes it like like you’re not making sense”. It’s *that” kind of “I’m confused” that irritates me. If someone disagrees, they should say so and tell me why. I can handle that…

In my post, I should have explained that the ‘tone’ in which “I’m confused” is said carries a message, as does the context in which it is said.

So, where you explain above that my job title confuses you, I understand that the job title isn’t self-explanatory. In this context, I don’t feel you are trying to make any additional point other than ‘I don’t know what that means’ (as well as making the point that people can be genuinely confused). Rather than rehash my job description here, you can read this post where I outlined my role here: http://blogs.msdn.com/alexbarn/archive/2006/03/16/553474.aspx
I hope that helps clear some confusion

As it happens, I actually enjoy helping people understand stuff. If some tells me they don’t ‘get it’, or are confused about something (sincerely), I’m very happy to try again in a different way.

Anyway, thanks for helping me clarify.

Oh, and nice spell checker in the comments interface – picked up two typos in this comment!

thanks,

Alex.

Thanks for the lengthy reply. As for the inferiority complex, we all have a touch…

Your comment here implies that it is not what is said, but the tone with which it is said. The fact that the phrase in question was “I’m confused.” is irrelevant. It could just as easily have been “Great idea, Alex.” It almost sounds like you may have had some bad experiences in a team where straight-forward communication was poor. I try not to be a person who mixes words and meanings, but I can imagine the frustration of being surrounded by people who do exactly that.

Alas, you were a casualty of my blogroll pruning, but I hope you continue to do well at Microsoft. If nothing else you’ve cleared up some confusion for me and the one other person (besides my wife) who reads this blog.

BTW, the spell checker is from Brian ‘Coldforged’ Dupuis.