I’m looking for some sanity savers.

Anonymous

June 19,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

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I’m looking for some sanity savers. I’m a deputy Director in a state agency in a job I love and that the likelihood of finding someone to replace me (it’s very niche work) is low. Additionally I’ve cultivated a loyal and dedicated team I adore. My issue is my Director. He’s a political appointee, he had literally no experience when he started 3 1/2 years ago and still has failed to grasp key aspects of the job. He strolls in late multiple time a week, leaves early, takes half days without taking leave and calls it all telework because he can be reached on his phone if someone happens to call him. His behavior has tanked moral in our administrative section of the agency, including mine as my job is extremely hard and I lead my team by example - e.g., being here if they need to be there. We won’t know if he will be staying on until after the election in November and under the current administration it is definitely a “the devil you know” situation. Any tips on how to cope?

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AnonymousJune 19,2022 at 6:41PM UTC
Smile. He is an appointment, so it really doesn't matter much what you think about him. Be very careful, because he has a lot of power. Now.
AnonymousJune 19,2022 at 6:58PM UTC
Just wait it out.
AnonymousJune 19,2022 at 7:06PM UTC
Recognizing that there are plenty of jobs like this in every sector. They are gifts. The person occuping the position knows there are no real expectations on them and they will still be highly lauded, rewarded and most like fail up with greater rewards.
With acknowledging this fact, it removes this person completely from the equation. Why would you look to this person for guidance, leadership or support. You play at respect, and defer to them when protocols demand you do so.
Other than that, keep working hard and encourage your team to do the same. There is no reason to allow the action of this freeloader to impact your jobs, mood or frame of mind. Focus on the tasks at hand not the people living in a completely different world.
Julie HumbirdJune 19,2022 at 7:22PM UTC
Run against him or recruit someone qualified to. Sounds like it won't take much. "Do nothing" elected officials should be called out.
AnonymousJune 19,2022 at 7:32PM UTC
Unfortunately when you become a deputy director, the long term game is to learn how to constantly adjust to every political employee that comes in for the rest of your career. Change your perception. Focus less on him, take pride in your work ethic and your motivation and drive to do the best in your purview. Continue to set the example, continue to be a resource to your staff bc someone always watching and will comtinue to promote you for your dedication and results driven performance. Keep up your work life balance, pray and get extra exercise if you need to. Don’t let the privileged idiot psyche you out.
AnonymousJune 19,2022 at 10:18PM UTC
Can you call in an anonymous complaint to the appropriate fraud hotline? Leaving and not submitting leave is fraud. If he has the ability to make your life difficult, it's probably not worth doing anything. But if you really want to force him to do work, maybe wait until after he leaves to ask his input for anything/everything. Again, as a political appointee, there's probably not much you can do except work around them and make sure your team knows that you know. Keep being the good example and try to ignore him. Hopefully a new administration will prioritize experience and competence in appointees instead of putting unqualified individuals in charge of entire agencies.
AnonymousJune 20,2022 at 2:24PM UTC
This is the reality of government. Many get into the game for cushy appointments.
Your job as a leader is to teach your team to work around these types of appointments. If they want to stay in this type of work, the sooner they accept these types as part of the landscape without allowing it to color their experience the faster they will grow and succeed. He is a fixture now and there will be others right behind them. Your team should learn to adapt to these types. You can certainly be a coach in that regard.