While there are some who have a negative attitude, too often we get painted with that brush unfairly. Our jobs are to point out the deficiencies of a design or request, to allow for a better decision. If all we are is a "yes man" when people ask us to build something that won't work, we have no value.

Recently I was asked to grant access to something for which we do not have sufficient licenses. Is me saying no an issue? Not at all. It is my job. Their job is to approach management and get budget approval for what they feel they need. If they cannot justify it, then management will have made the decision. All I did was provide information.

Obviously we need to exclude the example where someone comes to us and we don't feel like doing what they want, that is our issue and unacceptable. But when we are following policy, providing the information we are paid to provide, and the people simply don't like the answer, we still get labeled as grumpy, unapproachable, not a team player. As my kids would say, I call BS on that.