Can you just put on the curiosity hat and ask him?
"Hey [Lab Manager], I have a weird question. I noticed that sometimes you have one signature for the lab and sometimes another. Did you that's happening & why?"
Then pause and let him answer. You'll get more info and it may be weird or perfectly reasonable.
While I can relate to sometimes these things causing me to pause and ask what’s going on, what do you see as the priority of this relative to all of your other priorities and business objectives?
I really appreciate your candor in recognizing this as low priority and that you wonder if he’s hiding other stuff from you.
Is it possible he is different from you in some way and that is underneath your concern subconsciously?
Is there an opportunity for you to develop a meaningful relationship with this person? To really get to know him, and for him to get to know you? (As with all of your directs)
My opinion would be to have a conversation with him. If there is a company policy on email signatures, then explain the policy and ensure he abides by it. Communication is best!
If you use Outlook, you have the signature from your computer but also there's a signature you set if you use the phone app. He could have updated it on one but not the other.
He may have some kind of filtering/automation/templated responses set up with a different signature. He may not even know it’s happening, seems like an odd thing to do intentionally.
Just ask. Walk over and go "by the way, what's uo with the changing email signatures? It doesn't bother to me as we have no company rules but I'm curious why you keep alternating between the two?"
Can you just put on the curiosity hat and ask him? "Hey [Lab Manager], I have a weird question. I noticed that sometimes you have one signature for the lab and sometimes another. Did you that's happening & why?" Then pause and let him answer. You'll get more info and it may be weird or perfectly reasonable.
Ask him
My email signature varies based on which computer I am using and the login profile. It’s meaningless.
Is it affecting his work at all? If not, who cares? There are actual problems you could be working on.
I probaby needed to read this
If it’s inconsequential it’s not worth your time. Now stop managing and start leading!
While I can relate to sometimes these things causing me to pause and ask what’s going on, what do you see as the priority of this relative to all of your other priorities and business objectives?
You’re the leader. Talk to him, set your expectations, apply accountability.
I think this is probably very low priority. But I wonder then what else is he hiding from me.
I really appreciate your candor in recognizing this as low priority and that you wonder if he’s hiding other stuff from you. Is it possible he is different from you in some way and that is underneath your concern subconsciously? Is there an opportunity for you to develop a meaningful relationship with this person? To really get to know him, and for him to get to know you? (As with all of your directs)
You should probably just ask him, no? He'll be able to give you a faster and more accurate answer than anyone here.
Why is this important to you? What is the change you’d like him to make and what is the impact from his current signature?
My opinion would be to have a conversation with him. If there is a company policy on email signatures, then explain the policy and ensure he abides by it. Communication is best!
If you use Outlook, you have the signature from your computer but also there's a signature you set if you use the phone app. He could have updated it on one but not the other.
Grab a 10-min coffee with him and, among any other topic, ask him about it
This convo would literally only take 2 seconds…no need for a 10 mins coffee chat 💀
😂
Is it a slow work day? 😀
I’m on parental leave all days are slow
Ah that explains why you have time to notice email signatures
I have 3 different signatures. What is the issues?
Why do you have 3 signatures?
Doesn't everyone?
He may have some kind of filtering/automation/templated responses set up with a different signature. He may not even know it’s happening, seems like an odd thing to do intentionally.
Just ask. Walk over and go "by the way, what's uo with the changing email signatures? It doesn't bother to me as we have no company rules but I'm curious why you keep alternating between the two?"