© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Confusion
I started a new job 3 wks. ago as an accounts payable manager. The office is closed so I'm working remotely.
Week 1 I reached out to my boss to see if there was an onboarding plan and what I needed to do outside of the HR onboarding documentation, but I got no response to the phone call or e-mail. I decided to reach out to the team I'm responsible for managing, and set up time to virtually meet them and shadow some of their tasks.
Week 2, I signed up for a few webinars the co. was offering, reached out to the team and asked if there was anything I could help with. One co worker responded and said that he'd touch base w/ me next week and that he appreciated me asking and my enthusiasm to jump in.
So week 3 I get a meeting invite from my boss. I accepted the invite and asked him if there was an agenda. No response. I got on the Zoom and he stated that this is my show to run the department the way I see fit and that he just wants me to send him a weekly e-mail detailing what I'm working on.
I'm just a little confused because it's like some magic trick. He was M.I.A. for weeks w/ no communication, and now he's here and oh by the way what am I working on. I'm not really sure what I should be working on, but I'm here to assist is what I told him. He repeated that this is my thing to run. Okay cool, but I've reread my job description and it's vague; it says setting and facilitating the achievement of dept objectives, building and maintaining internal and external relationships, hiring and motivating staff, and other duties as assigned. I my boss what were some pressing tasks and goals in the next 60-90 days. He stated closing the financial books in 6 days. Okay, then I asked my boss if there was an org chart. I figure I can look up a few people on the org chart that directly interact with the dept, introduce myself, and try to get a lay of the land. He couldn't tell me if there was an org. chart.
I want to succeed here and I'm not going to send blank weekly updates of what I'm working on, but there needs to be better, more direct communication.
mcasterlloyd
Dallas EA; Writer, Artist, Graphic Designer
52
08/24/20 at 1:53PM UTC
I would focus on process improvement with your team.
KhadijahHaleemah
323
08/23/20 at 5:58PM UTC
They don't tell you what is expected of you and just leave you swinging in the wind. I would be as confused as you are. Sounds like a really "hands off" type management.
Jen CSoftware Sales Lead and Coach
40
08/23/20 at 1:07PM UTC
I am as confused as you are! That isn’t a way to welcome or onboard an employee.
Anonymous for a day
449
08/22/20 at 10:01PM UTC
I feel for you. Starting a new job right now is very difficult with not being able to physically meet your coworkers. I would ask for the names of your direct reports from him or if he doesn’t have them from HR and then set up Zoom calls with them to introduce yourselves. Ask them what challenges the department is facing and what are some of their victories.
Anonymous
08/22/20 at 3:54PM UTC
I took over an office and basically my new boss had the attitude it's your shop.
I didn't even meet him for 7 months and that was pre covid. He wasn't entirely engaged but as long as morale and goals were meet I was left alone. He and upper management could have been
more supportive though.
Once a week I submitted a weekly report of what was transpiring in the office.
I ran it as I saw it best and got good reviews. I think sticking it out is best but I would plan for another organization in the long run.
Heather Isley-SalazarAdm. Assistant in the Chicago-land area
193
08/22/20 at 3:17PM UTC
Congrats first on the job! With the freedom to make it own is empowering, not knowing what a completed project looks like for him appears to be frustrating. With no organizational chart, looks like a great way for you to introduce yourself to fellow employees and make notes for yourself on what this chart would like for this company. I would also recommend asking your boss what a completed project looks like to him. Closing the books in 6 days may mean something different for the both of you. Include in your communications with him opportunities for his input.
Also his question about what you're working on may have been a way for himself to be caught up during his radio silence. I love your responses to this question. It may have left you more confused, but it showed to him you have already taken the initiative and were testing the waters.
Robbie GreenThe Working Mom's Coach
307
08/22/20 at 2:35PM UTC
Definitely keep a copy of his email sent, detailing what you are responsible for. If you are going to stay:
1. Each week in your email, I would list each of them company’s objectives, and state what you are doing/working on each week to help meet those objectives.
2. Set your own KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) for those objectives to give yourself and your team benchmarks to be aware of.
3. Don’t stress. If this is your show to run, HEADLINE IT! I can almost guarantee that your boss will tell you when you are NOT doing a good job; sounds like his style - and again, if you are gonna stay, it is what it is.
Deborah Hannon
13
08/22/20 at 2:32PM UTC
I feel so bad for you but NEVER let them see you sweat! I was in that situation and what frustrated me, ended up making me stronger. I just took over as President of a company with absolutely NO direction from my predecessor (who told everyone she was guiding me...Ha!) I ended up saying FINE! I took the bull by the horns and ran the department the way I see fit. I schedule the meetings and request reports.
I built a strong team of VP's that support my agenda. Show your new boss that you are in charge of your team and your team will respect you and look to you for guidance. They don't want to look to you if they feel you are uncertain yourself. You've got this!
Rebecca Lee VOperations Analyst
2.22k
08/22/20 at 1:29PM UTC
How did the meeting with the team go? If it is your show get with them, find out what they are working on and go from there. But I would let the HR department know what is happening.
Anonymous
08/22/20 at 1:12PM UTC
I had this problem when I first took on my current role and was convinced that I was supposed to be doing things only to find I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. What you need to do is take a look at the processes that are already in place and anyone doing a comparable job to you. Take what you like from there and then design what you think is lacking. Focus less on what tasks are in your job description than deliverables. For example, he said the priority is closing the books in 6 days. What do you need to do based on your expertise to make that happen? What do you need from the team?
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