I'm finishing up a contract where I was hired as interim while they hired a VP (new position) who built her team.

Anonymous

June 17,2022 at 4:07PM UTC

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I'm finishing up a contract where I was hired as interim while they hired a VP (new position) who built her team. Typical to my industry where there is a lot of mistrust, she hired people she'd worked with prior, and I wasn't given any opportunity to try for a position on the new team. PLEASE note, I've handled each situation with grace and humility with a helpful, servant's attitude, even if this post doesn't sound like it (I'm venting here). It's been a dysfunctional experience from the start where the old consultant I'd replaced refused to share any relevant information with me, even though leadership told her to. The current, small team and myself each have different strengths and skillsets, however despite me having to educate them on things that someone in that position should already know, I keep getting comments that show a presumption that I am not doing something (in my wheelhouse; not theirs) correctly (e.g. not referencing the most current data published in the professional literature in my field). I feel the presumption could be damaging to my reputation as I seek new clients, and I should clarify that my work reflects the data properly. However, I also wonder if I should just not bother. I've taken the humble route most of the past few months as this new team tries to get up to speed (and keeps telling me they are going to re-do the work that is in my area of expertise (it's like they don't know what they don't know, KWIM?) , but I wonder if I should stand up this one time and reassure them that I'm using the most current, relevant data published to date, and explain that I really do know what I'm doing in that particular area. Thoughts? Keep quiet or speak up with only 2 weeks to go?

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AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 5:55PM UTC
Protect your reputation and earn credibility by being honest and speaking up.
AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 6:43PM UTC
Question if the contract is up in2 weeks? That’s it? You are donE working for them.? If so just count down to the finish line. Some people are just difficult to work with and that’s ok. Continue to try your best everyday, no need to give anyone a peace of your mind, just maintain your peace and shield yourself spiritually with prayer daily and try your best to leave on a good note. Continue to put in for bids elsewhere. Be glad it is just a contract. Can you imagine being there permanently dealing with that toxicity. See the blessings that all shitty things do come to an end, and celebrate once the contract concludes
AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 6:53PM UTC
While I know you fear your reputation but I'm thinking that nothing you have said thus far has resonated with the new team so anything further will fall on deaf ears.
I would draft a final letter to both the new VP and anyone in higher management a summarize what you are leaving the team in terms of legacy work product, methodology and sources used as your basis.
Smack talking former employees is common everywhere and there is litter you can do. I would stand by the quality of your work and work ethics. A letter in the guise of an exit letter outline this will draw a line in the sand.
AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 7:28PM UTC
As the cliche goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you've only got two weeks left, why not speak up and try to make everyone's life easier? What's the harm in standing up for yourself as opposed to taking the humble route? Sometimes what we view as suffering in silence, others view as complacency or complicity -- i.e. she didn't say anything, so she must be okay.
If they still refuse to see things your way, well, at least you gave it your best shot and now you can move on to other projects.
bethJune 18,2022 at 3:57PM UTC
also, it's a low risk way of getting better at advocating for yourself!