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Anonymous
08/04/20 at 4:10PM UTC (Edited)
in
Career

Feeling Frustrated

I started a job 2 mos. ago as a finance director and I feel like a fish out of water. I have eight years of finance experience and 10 years of management experience, but my new position is w/ a mortgage co. which is new for me. I was excited about the opportunity because it was a new industry for me though I have experience, and I felt lucky to be able to transition during the pandemic. I was also excited because it fit w/ my personal goals of working for a co. that gives back to the community and I thought I could learn a lot about the mortgage and leading industry especially since I'm looking to purchase a second home that I'll rent out part of the time. Of course w/ the pandemic there are challenges because the office is closed and so my onboarding has been virtual. And regardless of how much experience you have, I know it takes time to get acclimated to a job. I've been constantly asking for things to do, and haven't been getting much of a response from my boss (CFO). When he does give me something or ask me for something it's usually 5 mins. before he needs it and it's not clear what he wants. I've learned in talking to others and being in meetings and overhearing conversations, that this is just how he is, so I try not to take it personal. But to be honest, I take it very personal because my growth and success are important and personal to me. I've had a few one on ones w/ him and have tried to schedule more to no avail. I've asked him what's his preferred communication style and have discussed how I typically communicate because I'm trying to find a match and common ground here. Not having much luck. I went back to the drawing board (the job description I was provided) to see if I could gather what else I'm responsible for and can do. It's vague. The position is also a newly created position. It just doesn't seem like the co. or my boss really has a clear plan of what they need and what the job should be. Fast forward to last week, and my boss asked me to compile notes in one meetings. Okay, fine. He also assigned me the task of sending out a meeting request. I'm not above or beneath any task, but when I do get an assignment, it seems like a task better suited for an administrative assistant, or it's something that he simply doesn't want to do. I guess I should be careful what I ask for, but I don't want to be in a dumping position, and the lack of communication and the manner in which things are communicated is frustrating. I was asked 5 mins. into a mtg to join it only to discover it was an audit meeting. I didn't know we were in the middle of an internal audit. I feel like this is something that could have been discussed in the one on one. Then I was asked to respond to the auditors findings. Well I didn't work for the co. in 2019, so while I've done several audits in other positions, this isn't a task I feel that I can complete. I'm not a fan of mission impossible. I don't know how you assign a task w/ no context or clear expectations. Some days I think I can't do this job and I feel like an impostor, other days I'm just bored or frustrated at the inconsistency. I'm not sure what I should or shouldn't be doing. Not sure what to do at this point.

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Iky
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897
Unlock & Amplify Your Greatness | ikychan.com
08/10/20 at 2:47AM UTC
Congrats on your new job. Lots of great advice and tips here. Getting into a new job is not easy, especially during the pandemic. Please give yourself some grace. I like Lisa’s advice on “The First 90 Days” by Michael Watkins. Think about if it is still worthwhile for you to work with your manager to draft a plan for your next 30-60-90 days, even though you did not get it on day 1. It sounds like you are not given a whole lot of directions or clear expectations on your role and responsibility. If you decide to work out these challenges, below are some questions to think about: What does a comfortable work relationship with your boss look like? How would you feel? What can you do to get there? What can you do to better understand your boss’ ways of working assuming he doesn’t have time to explain to you? Who besides your manager can give you some guidance at work? What about getting a mentor or two? Regarding your assignment on responding to the auditors' findings, besides your boss, who can you ask for more information or help? I have worked at plenty of jobs where I was given little directions or guidance. Every time when I face such a challenge, I remember a lesson in college. At the end of the class one day, many of my classmates, including me, swarmed to the front of the classroom to ask our professor to clarify his homework handout for us. I could tell many students were confused, besides me. I happened to be the first student to ask him a clarifying question. Without really listening to my question, he responded with this, “Who do you think you are? Do you think I would give you the answer to the homework on a silver platter?” As a foreign student at the time, it was the first time I heard about “silver platter.” In the moment of shock, I was trying to understand what he was telling me (My class had nothing to do with cooking. LOL). After that, he left the classroom. I felt unjust because I would have never asked him to give me the answer. Not only was I misunderstood, I was also humiliated in front of the entire class! I did not drop out. Instead, I studied extra hard and got an “A” for the class. Since then, whenever someone is making it hard for me to do my job for whatever reason, I focus on my end goal and become a better possibility thinker. I truly believe you have the strength and wisdom to get through this. When it is all over, you will be able to share your story and advise others on how to succeed when all odds seem to be against you. If you manager did not think you can do the job, he wouldn’t have hired you in the midst of the pandemic or given you the task of responding to the auditors’ findings. He already knows you were not around the company in 2019. Take a deep breathe. You are more capable than you think you are. Good luck with everything. Report back to us how everything goes in a few months. I look forward to hearing good news from you!
Anonymous
08/10/20 at 1:45PM UTC
Iky, thank you so much for your comments and encouragement. And thank you for sharing that story; it put things in perspective. I think I'm just reacting because I'm uncomfortable right now (and that's okay) , and I need to step back (and take a deep breath and pause in that feeling) and rethink somethings to come up with an effective plan. You're right, I will get beyond this moment!
Iky
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897
Unlock & Amplify Your Greatness | ikychan.com
08/10/20 at 2:53PM UTC
When my colleagues and friends come to me for coaching, all of them just want to be understood. Once being understood, they appreciate the different perspectives I offer them. Perspectives are what reset their mindsets so that they can proceed and succeed in whatever situations they are in. I understand that you like to stay anonymous. Please feel free to follow me on LinkedIn. Let me know how I can help! Again, good luck with everything. You've got this!
User deleted comment on 08/07/20 at 5:35PM UTC
Debbie Holbrook
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130
Design itineraries for Cruise Ship Company
08/07/20 at 5:34PM UTC
This has been some really great feedback. Here is my perspective on job responsibilities. I am in an industry affected by covid-19 and it is definitely a different situation. Many of team members have been laid off or furloughed so we have been taking care of many tasks at many levels including data entry, setting up meetings and circulating meeting notes. I was in a meeting last week where our VP took the notes without a hesitation (when technically as manager I was the lowest ranking). Its a whole new world, I would take on the responsibilities you would usually classify as someone else and then in your time there figure out your network and who you can delegate those tasks to moving forward. I suggest reading How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job Hardcover –by Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith we just read it as part of my Lean In Circle and I was able to pull a lot of great suggestions.
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 5:38PM UTC
Thank you for the suggestions!
Madhu
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28
Agile Product Management
08/07/20 at 4:27PM UTC (Edited)
First off, congratulations on your job! It is a tough transition in the middle of a pandemic. Secondly, you’re NOT an imposter. From my lens, multiple factors could’ve put you in this position. You’re right to ask for weekly meetings with the boss. He might be avoiding these, because he could be intimidated (for want of a better word) with your experience, especially if he doesn’t have that many years under his belt. Or he could just be inundated with newly modeled work due to WFH, but that’s still no excuse to not show up for scheduled meetings or respond to emails repeatedly. Some solution options: - I agree with one of the commenters, to use this “downtime” to make projects for yourself to learn. - build valuable connections with staff members who could help with not just the task at hand, but also tips on the culture. - I deal with imposter syndrome too now and then and I find help in webinars on self-confidence, working out or meditation. Self care is important! - provide your boss alternative meeting times and schedules. If your current 1:1s are on Mondays, maybe that’s busy time for him so you could volunteer a different day/ time. Maybe ask for bi-weekly meetings instead. Hope this helps!
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 5:39PM UTC
Thank you for the response and suggestions. I'm looking for some webinars both through my company and independently. And thank you for the self-care reminder!
Lisa
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432
Nurse, Technology Writer, Healthcare Executive
08/07/20 at 4:09PM UTC
I would also suggest checking out the book ‘The First 90 Days,’ by Michael Watkins. This book was recommended to me by a mentor as I transitioned to a new role under someone who is also pretty hands off in giving direction. The book takes you through how to build your own on-boarding plan. It proved incredibly valuable in learning how to work with my new manager. Good luck!
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 5:32PM UTC
Thank you for the response and book, checking it out now!
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:55PM UTC
Thanks for the response. I've searched our network and shared drives for an org. chart, no luck. I then asked if there was an org. chart and was told that they're working on one. The org. is a small-medium co. trying to make the leap to be a big corp. in the mortgage industry. Things seem disorganized, but I'm focusing my attention on my team, and trying to assist them in anyway I can. I've asked to shadow them on tasks and I've been having consistent weekly touch bases with them.
Silver Sage
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33
Program Manager
08/07/20 at 1:49PM UTC
Congratulations on the new position! The scenario you've described doesn't sound that unusual in my experience for independent contributor roles. However, if you have direct reports with their own teams, there may be linkage and alignment issues to identify. In any event, perhaps some iniative on your part may be warranted in familiarizing yourself with the org chart and learning what iniatives your peers are working on to help define the parameters and responsibilities of your role. Perhaps understanding the bigger picture will help replace your frustrations with aspirations in crafting your own objectives and strategies. Best of luck to you... You've got this!
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:25PM UTC (Edited)
I am in the same place, hired into a business process role 4 weeks ago which really is not my core competence. I have worked in banking for over 20 years with experience ranging from retail, lending, audit, workforce planning and risk control. In the conduct of my duties, process improvement was intrinsic to the roles but never solely dedicated to this function. My current manager is still scoping his deliverables as his team is a consolidation of sub-groups that were pulled from the finance and risk areas of the company. The first week was like watching grass grow or paint dry, whichever you think is the more painful of the two. I finally had it and started scheduling twice a week 1:1 with him, suggesting what areas I can help his staff with, like QA (about the most mind-numbing task in any industry!), flow charting in Visio, quick hit analyses, etc. He was very appreciative of my being proactive and taking initiative according to him. On my fourth week now and he has started assigning me to lead initiatives within the group. Understanding the complexity and recent changes in the organization allowed me to explore where my skills and contributions would be most useful. Having actual examples of work you can do helps instead of leaving it up to the manager to think of what he can assign. Not only would you be driving the choice and choosing those that positions you for success, it shows initiative on your part and willingness to do what it takes to get the team moving.
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:44PM UTC
Thank you for the response and ideas. I'll be lucky if I can get my boss to actually stick to our one on ones since most often they're rescheduled, but never scheduled or he shows up late, or when I'm lucky, I get 5 mins. Thank God I learned to talk fast . . . I guess.
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:16PM UTC (Edited)
Given your level of experience, your leader may have assumed that you're independent and doesn't need to be micro-managed, but at the same time doesn't realize you haven't been properly onboarded. I suggest in your one on ones to be prepared with an agenda of what you want to discuss, and tell your leader where your roadblocks are with the audit. Also ask for names of individuals you should be reaching out for information and who may be able to help provide support. This demonstrates you are taking initiative again and again.
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:41PM UTC
Thanks for the response. I definitely don't want to be micro managed, but there's a difference between providing autonomy, but still being available for consultation and being absentee. Our one on ones have been sporadic. Though I have them on the calendar weekly, my boss often times is late, needs to cancel them for another mtg/purpose, or if I'm lucky, I get about 5 min. out of the 30 min. meeting so that's not working. I have sent follow up e-mails and have asked questions and who I can reach out to for assistance. I received a partial response to one of my e-mails.
Anonymous
08/07/20 at 1:14PM UTC
I am in the same situation. New job, new role, new company....and COVID. It's challenging times and I am working hard to be productive but training and onboarding virtually makes things even more difficult-as does meeting all of the staff I will be supporting via Skype meetings. Hang in there!

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