How many bosses does one IC need?

Anonymous

October 25,2023 at 2:30PM UTC

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How many bosses does one IC need?

This is a rant! My team is getting very lopsided. We have repeatedly lost individual contributors. At this point, there are 2 of us doing the job that 8 used to do. To make matters worse, they have brought in new people who are not actually doing the work but are supposed to be "providing feedback" and "facilitating" as seniors on the team. Of course, what they are actually doing is adding stress on the ICs because they don't actually know the product or worse, instructing us to do things that we know we should not be doing, but can't say anything because they have made it clear they have been brought in to "fix stuff."

It is a mess! Any advice?

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AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 2:48PM UTC
I was there in my first job. Management brought in an independent consultant to do an audit of my job. Because he did not know how our particular organization implemented things, he evaluated it against a "boilerplate" system, which looked nothing like ours. Therefore, the recommendations he proposed had no basis in how our organization worked, and only one in ten of them showed any likelihood of implementation. It was a pure waste of money and resources on the director's part, and worse, he was hired to manage our team after our boss left because of the report.
IMO, bringing in outsiders to "fix" an organization without full disclosure of processes and procedures upfront is a waste. My suggestion would be to start looking elsewhere, as things are only going to get worse, not better.
AnonymousOctober 25,2023 at 5:30PM UTC
OP here: This 'feels' very much like what I have been going through. I have already started to look and have an interview today. I was wondering if I was overreacting but now I am going to focus on interviewing and realizing that that is my goal.
AnonymousOctober 26,2023 at 4:08PM UTC
It sounds like you need to either hunker head down and just GSD (get sh* done) or look for something new. If you are getting direction that does not work or just is counterproductive or adds more busy work to things that just mean nothing, then it might be time to speak up and say no. No doesn't mean you lose your job it means push back when needed. Good luck.
maria roseOctober 26,2023 at 5:53PM UTC
If you are that frustrated with the way your company has decided to create a more efficient workplace environment by making you multi task work over 2 individuals versus 8 individuals, then start looking for a new job with less demands on the number of tasks you are expected to do. Companies today want the most amount of effort they can get for the wages they pay their employees.
AnonymousOctober 27,2023 at 1:08PM UTC
I wouldn't blame you for wanting to leave - this sounds unnecessarily stressful. But in the meantime, I'd say document everything. Every single "suggestion" next to what you would propose to do instead, with the reason for product functionality. Even if you end up having to follow what the IC is proposing, it's documented for what should have happened. I would also highlight any times where extra work/help was needed for the client, vs. "providing feedback" and "facilitating." If you can highlight how this is not in the best interest of the client, and thus harming the business. You might be able to get in front of someone who will listen and understand, and correct, or you might not. But it's documented nonetheless and covers you.