At my last job I was in a role for years with management that knew how to manage me. When my boss and boss’s boss moved on, I knew I would not survive the next round of layoffs. Once you lose aircover, it’s over. My new manager was a colleague with less experience with me who had just gotten promoted - well deserved. But he had little management experience. It showed in our first meeting when he tore into the way I did things and outlined how we wanted me to work from now on. I did not push back. To me there was no point, I just did what he asked until the next round of layoffs to get severance. Could a different scenario have unfolded? Yes. But that requires trust, and he had no idea how to build it.
That sounds like an awful experience! Definitely, if those conversations are basically accusations rather than a two way street it’s really hard to see the point
Yeah, I was once in a position where I got promoted over a colleague and became their boss. Definitely awkward. I handled it by saying - look you do great work, and I respect what you do, so really, just let me know how I can facilitate. She was not happy I got promoted and ultimately left. It's definitely one of the most awkward situations on both sides.
At my last job I was in a role for years with management that knew how to manage me. When my boss and boss’s boss moved on, I knew I would not survive the next round of layoffs. Once you lose aircover, it’s over. My new manager was a colleague with less experience with me who had just gotten promoted - well deserved. But he had little management experience. It showed in our first meeting when he tore into the way I did things and outlined how we wanted me to work from now on. I did not push back. To me there was no point, I just did what he asked until the next round of layoffs to get severance. Could a different scenario have unfolded? Yes. But that requires trust, and he had no idea how to build it.
That sounds like an awful experience! Definitely, if those conversations are basically accusations rather than a two way street it’s really hard to see the point
Yeah, I was once in a position where I got promoted over a colleague and became their boss. Definitely awkward. I handled it by saying - look you do great work, and I respect what you do, so really, just let me know how I can facilitate. She was not happy I got promoted and ultimately left. It's definitely one of the most awkward situations on both sides.
I’ve been through this transition more than once. The isolation and second-guessing you describe are real. You captured that well.
Thanks, Andrew - I can’t say that I envy that experience! More than once sounds like a lot of heartache.
35 years, the feeling never changes you just get better at dealing with it :)