My last three jobs ended due to complicated circumstances...while job searching, I'm trying to learn from mistakes and would appreciate your advice and welcome constructive feedback.

40 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 9,2024 at 5:43PM UTC

   Not sure I can help, but re-reading your post, I think there could be a lot of missing info. Like why were you let go from the 1st company, what was their reason? What happened with the 2nd role? And why did things intensify in the 3rd role? My concern is this, you may be rubbing people the wrong way by exerting your thoughts too quickly. I worked for a company that I was brought in to train the recruiters, but yet, no one wanted to change. I eased my way in and sat back to just listen and observe before any changes were made. It was awful. These people had no idea what they were doing, or how to do better. I did as I was their competition and then came to work there to show them. I did not come in cocky at all, but for some reason, some of the folks didn't like me. In the end, I got recruited out, doubled my salary and had a better place to go where I fit better. My suggestion in all this is to say, figure out what environment you thrive. Imagine what kind of people are you working with, do you like being in leadership or do you follow better? If you are able, take some six sigma courses and get certified, if you are not already, to show at the next job, you are fit to understand processes and like to help make change, in due time. If you walk in and demand people change immediately, people will revolt and people get asked to leave. A previous boss got so frustrated she left after barely 1 year on the job. Slow the roll to make change, observe, sit back, bond with people, and remember, you can't control everything. Being unemployed is a time to reflect. What could you do better, how can you be perceived as a good, hard worker?

2. AnonymousJuly 9,2024 at 6:52PM UTC

   Thank you, Anonymous and appreciate your feedback. To summarize your questions: Role 1, issues that were dealt with previously that were used out of context six months later. It was addressed before I was promoted and never spoken of again as the situation was defused. There was confusion over an email issue that someone didn't receive and was found in their Junk folder the week later. It wasn't a big deal but was used as I didn't inform a senior leader of a change in procedure but it was overlooked due to the junk folder. The SVP thought it was funny that he had it all the time so this was addressed and squashed months prior.

   I was able to defend myself, provide email proof and the company offered severance. I'm still connected with senior leaders from the organization and a few are references.

   Job 2, We had a tragedy befall the company and the leader I spoke highly of was killed. That was a few months after I joined and was still getting up to speed. In the midst all the turmoil, I didn't have any one to report to and the parent company enforced its leadership with different expectations and requirements.

   Departments closed, staff were let go and I lasted long longer than most before I was out of a job. While I wonder what would have happened if she lived, I'm moving forward.

   Job 3, The situation intensified as I addressed the issues, requested priorities and met with senior members due to HR's advice. I wanted clarification regarding my job and what was expected. That action made things worse with the team and the director.

   Looking back, I would have stayed rather than resigning to continue to work with the director to see if we could get on the same page. SLT was requiring changes done by August so that's why I was pushing but that didn't align with his plans. I was brought in to hit goals by x dates or I would have been glad to as in other roles, waited to implement.

   Going forward, I'd be more upfront regarding what's being requested from SLT and make sure I'm on the same page at the team level. I realize in the last role, I rubbed people the wrong way as they didn't want the changes that I was hired to make. I'd spend more time listening and make sure we were on the same page regarding plans and timing. They had five people in my former role within two years so in my resignation letter, I addressed the issues to hopefully set expectations to avoid others being caught in the same situation.

   I appreciated your advice and you've given me a lot to consider. I'm glad to hear you're in a better position!

3. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

   Hi! Hopping in here to agree with the above feedback and add something else. Plus I can read you are open to suggestions, feedback and critiques.

   One thing I think you should do is ask a question in the interview process about how would the team/department feel about being open to change or areas of opportunity since it seems like you try to implement the better for companies. Then listen to the way they respond and their willingness. Sometimes the interview process we as candidates want the job but it’s you that needs to make sure you are interviewing them.

   ok one more suggestion- in the interview process ask what their goals are and what it is that they are expecting of you to help meet those goals. How can you support, motivate and benefit the company.

   You might already do these things but sometimes asking some tough questions upfront can hopefully give you an idea if you’d be a good fit for them. I do like the tip when hired to observe and get as feel before jumping in with both feet. Making waves too quickly can cause people anxiety and stress about making too many changes so fast.

4. AnonymousJuly 9,2024 at 6:29PM UTC

   Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciated your advice. I'm an ideas person and have learned that I need to hold back regarding pushing changes. I try now to understand the environment, have meetings with team members and other departments to find out what's working, not and are opportunities for the future. I use that feedback in order to make 30-60-90 and forthcoming plans. Keeping your notes in mind when landing a new position.

5. AnonymousJuly 9,2024 at 8:30PM UTC

   It sounds like people are hiring you to change things in organizations that failed to develop an internal succession plan. Sometimes that’s a good job for a consultant. Have you thought of consulting?

6. GirlBossanova934974July 10,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

   Outside of the first role where the VP took all the credit for your work, you have found out the hard way what happens to most CHANGE AGENTS. I have lost 3-4 jobs in the last 15 years being the CHANGE AGENT. Truth is that most employees HATE change and they take it out on the CHANGE AGENT whom they feel is going to cost them their job. So you have two choices. AVOID jobs where it appears that you are being hired to be the CHANGE AGENT or only hire in to be the CHANGE AGENT if you are reporting to a senior executive or have an employment contract. I have been successful as a CHANGE AGENT in 2 companies. I was reporting directly up to a senior executive who provided the proper motivation to the employees who refused to change aka get with the program. We had a name for those folks. We called them the TURTLES. The TURTLES in most cases always run for their shells when asked to change. In my last company where I didn't succeed, the TURTLES were busy day and night on the company's ZOOM platform with all sorts of unplanned meetings, doing everything they could to undercut me. For the last year, all I ever see from that company on LINKEDIN is a never ending supply of jobs being posted aka people are leaving left, right, and center............

7. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

   Sounds like you spend a lot of time believing that people are this strategic and have all this time to think about you. Your post is so corporate as far as your language goes. Sounds like you over analyze and worry about covering your own butt and not trusting others. That can make you unlikeable. I don’t really understand what your job is. I do know when you’re spending so much time in HR there’s a problem. HR is not your friend. They are there to protect the company and not you. They do not solve problems in most cases they remove them. I have worked with excellent HR departments and have worked with horrible ones. Unfortunately lately I’ve not seen the good ones. The one I’m working with now started out as great but has turned to the dark side. It happens. Spend less time wondering what everyone else

   is doing or if they have an alterior motive. Do your job and stay in your lane and out of HR.

8. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 1:22PM UTC

   I don't have any advise, but I empathize. I have been going through very similar situations. I was in Quality/Performance Improvement roles and I got a lot of push back from healthcare workers who were already stretched too thin. One job I was directed by corporate to make immediate changes, but the CEO at the facility level did not support me. I know it is best to start slowly and build relationships with teams, but there never is time for that. Now I have several short term employments on my resume, so interviewers are skeptical of me. I accepted a role three months ago providing clinical services (rather than in management) and now I'm the one being asked to do the impossible in terms of work productivity. There is so such pressure on companies these days to meet performance metrics or make money that it seems nobody is happy.

9. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 1:42PM UTC

   Trust and hone your instinct. Advance your skills. You're not doing anything wrong. Continue to be you. Take whatever position you need, but I urge you not to play small or dim your light. I'd suggest you look into harnessing your power and influence so you can seek positions and people more likeminded.

   The world of the workplace has been changing (mostly under our noses) for the last 20-30 years. It's very nuanced right now. There's also a focus on the right fit, playing the game (with rules changing). Roles and work responsibilities do not necessarily equate to success or promotion. The ones who are "safest" are the ones making the rules, then the ones willing to do anything to please the rule-makers. Everyone else rides the tide or is washed out.

   Taking stock of your recent experience is important. Reevaluating patterns (perhaps with a counselor or professional and seasoned career coach) can also help. Doing so can help you identify areas to focus if you wish. Also, try not to focus too much on digging into the past. You may just need a new fit for yourself.

   As you search, manifest the people/environment you want. Speak it aloud to yourself and in interviews. Be unapologetic about it. You may find a job and fewer people mess with you. You may find yourself getting weaned out in the interview process. Either way is ok. Dodging bullets as they say. Another route, you may find yourself starting your own company.

   It sounds like you've been working in environments that take advantage of your nature/philosophy of good work. You probably also don't participate in office politics. You are collaborative and many office dynamics - while saying they're collaborative- could really be competitive.

   A tip someone gave me is if you're ruffling feathers and not intending to -and being punished for it- it means you're upsetting the applecart of the norm in that environment. The person with that kind of influence (without a powerful position) may find themselves getting exiled.

   FWIW, consider reading Designing Your Work Life by Burnett and Evans. The chapter about influence and power could be a great place to start. Good luck.

10. AyianJuly 10,2024 at 2:19PM UTC

    There are many roles that are not good for healthy individuals. Ask questions about the culture of the company, work style and personality of your boss, and if possible, to meet the team before you start to feel them out in advance, even asking them what improvements they would like to see to the role, the team, and department in a perfect world so that you know what those wants and needs are from their perspective, prepare them for the idea that you might be changing things up, and can tell in advance if they are stuck in the way things have been. This can help you identify those red flags more quickly in the early days or even before you start.

    Otherwise, there's nothing to do here but move on sooner rather than later. Teams that are open to change will do so without balking. If you're brought in for that, you need support of your immediate supervisor and anyone else who thinks they are (similar HR issues with the one who thought she was my superior but the president of the company didn't want to tell her that I wasn't).

    Keep being you, there's a place out there that actually needs your help and wants to change for the better. <3

11. Rebecca Sullivan-EhnertJuly 10,2024 at 2:44PM UTC

    I have had similar experiences. It's nice to read this and know that there are others sharing this struggle. It's hard to not take it personal. I have had 3 roles where I was suddenly let go. One only 6 months. And, my experiences seem very similar to you. In my next role, I am avoiding "digital transformation" type of roles because these roles are everywhere but they are consistently unclear in the job responsibilities and accountability of the role. The asks constantly change. The leaders demand working nights, weekends, are never happy even when their leaders are happy. It's an odd world out there right now. Stay in your lane, stay out of HR, take IN information in first 6-9 months more than making big moves (although then they will say you're not changing things quickly enough as a change agent leader). Avoid job descriptions that are unclear and where you're being pulled in to give your leader a scapegoat. And, realize - it's not you! Stay positive, and don't discount your abilities because of these horrible experiences.

12. TkJuly 11,2024 at 12:31PM UTC

    "Stay in your lane, stay out of HR"

13. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 3:06PM UTC

    I would consider counseling. It’s difficult to see what is going on and a stranger can be very helpful to talk things through. I did that years ago and it helped me immensely- I have never had issues at work since doing the counseling. I was able to learn things about me and also had some healing occur of things I brought into the work place. I was in an upper level position and there is no shame in this. I actually found this psychiatrist through another co-worker and so glad I took the advice. Having an upper level job or really any job can be stressful and it’s so nice to be able to work through things in a productive and safe space. . Years later and things are still smooth at work. . It was a gift to myself- wishing you the very best-

14. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 1:30PM UTC

    Great post and yes, it's a great gift to give yourself. I recently chose to do subconscious work with an organizational psychologist. It was worth the time and money I invested , similar to costs of psychiatrist. We hear we need to be clear and that we need to know what we want to progress. What you think you want on the surface may be in conflict with what you want subconsciously. Our response may not be exactly what we think it is with change. Best wishes to you.

15. AnonymousJuly 10,2024 at 5:29PM UTC

    It sounds like a mixed bag of unclear expectations and also coming into things where you can't be a part of change. Okay so here is how to fix it. Reset your expectations, make a list of what you want and don't want in the next role. Take the time to be as honest as possible and from that list craft well drafted questions that will net you the answers in your interviews. Interviews are 2-way streets never forget that. Also add in a question about why the role is open. If it is a replacement dig into why the last person failed. If it is a new role dig into how well defined the first 30-60-90 days are and the details of what they want this person to do. If the role is an addition to an existing team dig into the dynamics of the team, how will they carve off the extra work for the new person and how will you train up to sync in. Find out about the roles that daily connect with the role you are seeking. Also find out what their onboarding program looks like. Take the first 90 days to soak up all that you can about working there once in the door and don't try to make changes or improvements unless it is in your job description to do so. Take direction from your manager and set expectations in your first 1-1 on how you take corrective action and feedback. Good luck and take the time to really figure out the formula for what makes you happy at work.

16. SophJuly 10,2024 at 9:25PM UTC

    I feel like I would need to be a fly on a wall to get a sense of what may been happening. The only thing that's clear is that there's a disconnect happening.

17. Taylor PetersJuly 11,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

    It sounds like you are being put into leadership positions you don't have leadership skills for. You have talent, you have ambition, you have the intelligence, but you don't know how to implement them in a way your teams will follow. You need to stop seeing people as challenges or a some type of machine and just see them as people. Sometimes it is what it is. Sometimes just getting the team some donuts in the morning or having a chat outside of a meeting is enough to boost moral. You are getting pulled in too many directions and instead of vocalizing core issues you are fighting for everything to appease people. You need to know what to give a hard no and what is worth bringing up for the best of everyone. It will lead to more respect from having more success than failure in your teams eyes.

18. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

    I just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your honest, constructive, and valuable feedback. Your insight truly resonated with me, and I am committed to applying your critique in my own professional endeavors.

    Your assessment and interpretation of the OP's story are incredibly valuable. I believe you've shared valid solutions.

19. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:37PM UTC

    OP: I appreciated your constructive criticism and I'm asking the tough questions now as I want to avoid any missteps I'm making. I fully admit I'm not perfect and check myself from moving things too quickly. I like to get things done and try to make things better and change can be jarring.

    To combat that, I hold regular team meetings, one-on-one sessions to receive feedback and the ability for more reserved team members to have a chance to discuss what they need instead of in a group setting. I brought in sandwiches, breakfast food, closed the department a few hours early on Friday to express appreciation for everyone's hard work. I've tried to make things better and work with senior leaders to provide more help for the team, streamline workflows and bring in interns and freelancers so overworked team members were able to take some of the pressure off their plate while providing an opportunity for them to receive management experience. I've had tough discussions and had to step up to lead when unexpected deaths befell our company. I enjoy working with people but I'm finding issues before I'm started and then try to overcome them. Thank you again and I'm taking a hard look at each point and evaluating my approach.

20. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

    There is a lot of good advice here. I have found that even if you ask all the right questions during an interview, once you are hired, it can still become what you were trying to avoid. Why is that, you ask?

    I’m going in another direction here. I have found that we are presented with life challenges to learn from them. If we continue to be presented with the same issue, it means we have not learned the lesson yet. Understanding that lesson is the challenge but worth doing.

    In my own circumstances, I have come to realize that I never truly face issues head on. I often avoid conflict and even run when I’m faced with it. I also always assume the worst going into a new job because of my past experience. The latter is setting me up for failure, the former is treating myself poorly.

    Dig deep to try to get to the source of what’s going on with you and then try to work on that. It is said that once we acknowledge the lesson and learn from it, these circumstances will go away.

21. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

    Interviews give you only a small sampling of the role and doesn't show the personalities that you will be working with on a daily basis.

    It's not until you are in the role that you see what's going on in the company, the politics, the agendas and what's really happening. There's nothing you can do to avoid future problems, it's how you manage them and the people behind them, how you communicate with them. I've tried contract to hire roles so we could mutually see if there would be a good fit. There's a downside to that however, often as a contractor one is seen as less experienced than a full time employee, but it is an option to see what's out there.

22. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:44PM UTC

    Thank you, Anonymous. That's what I'm discovering during interviews. I feel that I'm asking the right questions, finding out about expectations, team dynamics, what's needed and about why the position is open. The last company lied about all the above. I was told what they wanted me to hear and then found out the real situation once I started working. I even asked about the programs that they used and found out that was a lie as well. I was shocked as why would you claim to have these programs and foundations in place just to get someone hired as they'll find out the truth? Thank you for the contractor tip and I'll consider that type of role as well.

23. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

    Thanks for sharing your story. I've had similar situations. I had to take a deep dive into each situation. What part did you play? It's not uncommon to be brought in by a leader who wants change but did not express this to others in the company on why you are hired. I think this is a misstep by the leader and company. It's also not uncommon following a management change to not fit in with the new management.

    I recommend reading Triggers and Rising Together. Both touch on situations that may be triggering communication or body language that may not be supporting you. We cannot control what others do or external situation changes, only our response to them.

    It sounds like you are doing your due diligence during interviews. Perhaps talk with people who worked there before. Read reviews online from people. While it's only one viewpoint, you will quickly see culture patterns and then decide if you move forward.

    Good luck to you in your search. I am sure you will find a great fit.

24. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:38PM UTC

    Thank you, Anonymous. I've added Triggers and Rising Together to my list and appreciate your advice. All these suggestions are so helpful and I'm appreciative. I like the idea of talking with people who've worked there previously regarding their experience. I am asking questions but sometimes I feel that the real situation is disguised, I'm told what they feel I want to hear and then upon joining the company realize it isn't that situation. For my last role, I was told my associates in other department that I needed to brush up my resume and make an exit plan my first week. That didn't bode well but I still tried my best but soon realized that they were telling the truth. I appreciated your best wishes and I'm sorry you've been in similar situations!

25. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 1:49PM UTC

    I know this isn't a particularly helpful answer, but in my experience, toxicity and dysfunction is the rule at companies versus the exception. And, a lot of toxic managers keep their jobs and get away with abhorrent behavior while the people below them suffer and end up leaving the company either voluntarily or they are forced out. I have gone through similar and just wanted to say you aren't alone in this.

    I feel like we can try to ask all the right questions in the interview process/before accepting a role, but companies/HR/managers can easily say what people want to hear and pull a bait &amp; switch. This happened to me with one particular job where the woman who would be my boss came across sweet as pie in the interview process, and then turned out to be a complete bully (not to mention totally incompetent). I think companies are also aware of how bad the job market is currently/how many people are desperately looking for work, and they're taking full advantage because they can.

26. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:14PM UTC

    Thank you, Anonymous. I've noticed a decline in company culture and support since the pandemic. While there's always been difficult companies, I feel employees are being used and then forced out after taking advantage of them. They are put in impossible situations with workloads that previously were handled by multiple associates. The feeling that everyone is replaceable seems to be prevalent rather than an exception.

    I agree regarding asking the right questions during interviews. I did my due diligence especially for the last company. They pulled the bait & switch and also lied about past employees, teams, programs and what I'd face when joining the team. I hate that this is the new normal and I'm trying my best to remain positive and psych myself up to find a new role while not bring past experiences into a new position. I appreciated your advice and support!

27. AnonymousJuly 12,2024 at 7:38PM UTC

    I agree that interviewers can put on an act in the interview then turn into completely different people once you're hired.- very Dr. Jekyll/Mr. or Ms. Hyde. Getting former employees' perspectives discreetly is optimal to enter into the interview process with eyes wide open!

28. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 1:56PM UTC

    If you had a good relationship with VP from that first position, it might be worth reaching out to them now that some time has passed. Ask if you can meet for coffee or hop on a call. Approach it like a mentoring situation and ask for feedback and guidance. From the sounds of it, it may not have been their choice to let you go and now that the dust has settled, they may be willing to be more open about the reality of the situation.

29. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:08PM UTC

    I had a good relationship with the VP but that was before the pandemic. I left the area and started over in another city. I appreciated your suggestion.

30. Esther WormanJuly 11,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

    Go with your gut. I once stayed at a job where the supervisor, all of 22, could have been the head cheerleader for the Good Ship Lollipop. I knew in my gut that I wasn’t right for that job and it wasn’t right for me. If I had listened and paid attention to all the signs, it would have prevented me a lot of trouble

31. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 4:06PM UTC

    Thank you, Esther. Jobs 2 and 3 had a bad omen right from the start. In one role, I dealt with clashes between two leaders in different countries each wanting different trajectories including me. The second one, that I had to deal with on a daily basis made it evident that he did not want me there and wouldn't support any of my actions. The third job, I could tell I was brought in to be used as a scapegoat from the start. The amount of projects piled on me that needed to be done now, I found out the director had two years to address and never handled. It wasn't possible to get everything done and he was telling everyone I was handling and also for other staff they didn't need to listen to me. It was such a stressful situation from the start that despite my efforts in getting things accomplished, I could tell the department was a sinking ship and for my sanity, I wasn't going down with them. After submitting my resignation, I didn't even receive a response or follow up regarding ending dates, health benefits, 401K etc. It wasn't even acknowledged so I knew I made the right decision.

32. Sarah BordersJuly 11,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    I am so sorry for everything you’ve gone through. The trauma of being laid off when you had no reason to expect it is a major blow to your confidence. What I learned after being laid off last year is that it wasn’t personal. My job and the work I was doing (and, in fact, the work of my entire team) fell below the red line, and that’s the only reason I was let go. Sometimes, layoffs are performance-based, but yours was not. You did nothing wrong in that situation, and you have to make peace with that before you can truly move on.

    From there, it sounds like bad luck followed you to these other roles, where you were used to play the role of “mean mommy” and became a scapegoat. Honestly, I feel like I’m talking to The Ghost of Christmas Future here, because your first two situations sound a lot like my own, and I am also searching for my next role.

    “I joined a company at a lower level than my previous role to avoid the stress from the past position.” I have thought about doing that, but let’s interrogate the idea, for both of our sakes. Was the level of responsibility the cause of your stress? No. Was it the toxic environment and/or team dynamics? Yes.

    You have to do your best to discover toxic situations during the interview process. Consider how everyone engages in the interview or in communication around the process. Look for signs of disorganization or off-the-cuff comments that just don’t sit right with you. Ask why the position is open. Ask current employees and your potential manager about the culture and values at the company. Ask about work/life balance. Don’t take note of just their answers, but also their body language as they respond and what they’re not saying. Trust your gut.

    Above all, I want you to remember that you are good enough. You don’t have to settle for less than you deserve because other people got you wrong. You know what you can do, and you will find the right fit!

33. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:58PM UTC

    Thank you, Sarah. Since the pandemic, I've taken roles that weren't the perfect due to needing a paycheck. I've found your 'mean mommy' approach telling. I'm brought in to make changes, have tough conversations and used scapegoat in the second and third scenarios. Both roles had high turnovers within two years. My last role had 5 people in that role in two years. During the interview, I asked why the role was open and was told it was a new role instead of the truth. Jobs here are few and far between so when a job comes up in marketing, there's a scramble for people to leave their current role to get into a better or higher paid position. I'm finding roles where I can tie in my experience but not a 'dream' roles due to lack of opportunities. This time, I'm looking into remote roles to widen my search options. Thank you so much for your advice, best wishes and support!

34. Erica LanyonJuly 11,2024 at 2:30PM UTC

    I have been fired or pushed out in my last 5 jobs. 5.

    I learned each time and was less and less culpable.
    Let me know if you'd like to talk.

35. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

    Thank you, Erica. I'm sorry you've been through similar scenarios. I go in each time wanting things to be different and find the same situations despite changing my approach. I've tried understanding the environment before making changes but then I'm tasked with the 60 day implementation so I have to balance expectations and requirements. Hearing everyone's feedback makes difference and I don't feel so alone in this situation. I appreciated you sharing your story and feedback!

36. Dr. FeeJuly 11,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

    May I ask what field you work in?

    Organizational dynamics can be very tricky, during an interview many leaders are just looking to fill a role. To counter this look up the organization and know for yourself what makes them tick. It has been my experience that if the direction is not connecting to your career path…don’t join. You will not be happy and those vibrations can easily be felt by others.

    Look for an organization that aligns with what YOU want, remember you are amazing and they will benefit from your presence.

    Best of luck!

    Dr. Fee

37. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:24PM UTC

    Thank you, Dr. Fee. I work in marketing and appreciated your advice.

38. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 3:48PM UTC

    Thank you, Anonymous. OP here and that's why I'm asking the asking the questions. I recognize that I need to check myself as well. While some situations were out of my control, I'm evaluating what I might have misread or would have handled differently now that I'm out of the situation.

    I recognize that I like to take action and try to make things better. While I see the end goal, change sometimes creates more work in the interim. Staff are not always receptive to new ideas especially if they've been promised before and then management can't follow through with actions. That wasted their time and I found that happening in the second scenario.

    I was working with operations to automate certain processes that would streamline their workflow. In the meantime, they needed to fulfill operations requests and that took time away from their projects. The end goal was too far ahead of them understanding the extra workload. I learned from meeting with team members that projects were always taken up to the line but never finalized so they were weary of any new ideas. The senior leaders didn't feel they needed extra help and could always take on new work without being able to delegate projects.

    I need to work on understanding team's pain points while managing senior leaders expectations. Communication is key but also realizing the office dynamic and how they team feels regarding change and overpromises. I appreciated your feedback and everyone's ideas. My goal is to make my next role a better fit and that includes understanding any issues that I'm causing!

39. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

    You didn't share your title/role but sounds like you are in some type of change management or coaching.

    Here's what I got from what you shared:

    In your first example, you did the thing that the company needed, you helped them achieve the change or goal, so it stands to reason that due to your superpower, you essentially set them on track and gave them the blueprint. You had inside advantage on that job since you spent time there, so you knew the inner workings and that gave you an edge.

    On the 2nd, it sounds like they had ulterior motives and bringing you on to basically do a hard reset, left you without an inside champion. That just hurts, especially since it involved a relocation for you.

    But on this 3rd one, I think you're spot on. You've learned a thing or three and saw the red flags going up right away. You were able to recognize that there was a disconnect. The top didn't set you up for success, the local team likely felt blindsided, maybe even insulted. That's not on you.

    Have you ever thought about consulting/contract work? It has it's cons, but based on your experiences it could be a less hostile approach for what you do. With this approach, leadership has to take an active part vs. hiring someone internally and letting them loose in the barn.

    Take your experiences and mold them to your advantage. You are the expert, the professional that will make the changes they need, but you also have to challenge the leadership to meet you at the door.

    Someone suggested reaching out to your first role's VP, I think that's an excellent idea that's worth exploring! Maybe share that you're considering setting up your own consulting firm (great guise, either way) and that you'd like to pick their brain. You could put together some open ended questions, gain some insight from the top down. This allows you the freedom to ask tough questions. Just use care to not make the conversation about you and what you did/didn't do. We're rooting for you!

40. Annetta MosesJuly 11,2024 at 7:55PM UTC

    For this job search, I strongly encourage you to network. Ideally, you will know people at the company before you interview and have a sense of the company culture fits with you.

    Good luck.