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Question

My boss is on leave and she has given responsibility with one of my coworker whos been working there longer than me. How do you deal with some temporary authorized power if you think you should be the one chosen by your manager to take care of the team?

Megan Evitts · Answer

Hi Anonymous, 
Your post doesn't specify several factors needed to understand all of the details for your specific situation, so my answer here is based on a few assumptions. Here goes - Since the decision has already been made, I would urge you to follow your boss's directive and report to your coworker. If you feel you are more qualified for that type of task, I would use this as an opportunity to show your boss that you deserve the next challenge/ promotion/ project etc. I would caution you against voicing this concern to your boss or colleagues - it could end up appearing  disrespectful and insubordinate and should you not get the results you expect, could have a negative affect on your career. If this is an ongoing issue/ your coworker is not managing the team well/ or any other situation that could warrant you needing to share your concern - you may need to contact your HR rep to discuss the situation or talk to your boss if you feel comfortable. Good luck, that's definitely a tough situation!

Anonymous · Answer

Hello,

I would tell you that this is a conversation I have had employees reach out with on multiple occasions.  I will tell you what I have said to them. 
-I understand that you are not in agreement in the decision made on who is in interim authority and that makes this period of time without your leader even more difficult
- That being said, the decision has been made so lets focus on what is within your control to make the best of present circumstances. 
-I would encourage you to level set with your interim leader on expectations and your plans to move work forward as you would have done so normally when your leader was here
- Let them know you are ready to support where you can and want to make this time as successful as it would have been otherwise. 
- Keep an ongoing list of accomplishments and milestones you accomplish during this time and ask for a one on one meeting with you leader to review and catch up on work completed in their absence. 
-Remember that your acceptance or resistance in a temporary situation will always reflect more on you than anyone else so do not let it deter you from giving the same level of performance you always have. 
- Lastly, as mentioned, keep focus on this as a temporary situation.

I hope this is helpful.

Anonymous · Answer

The simple answer is that you deal with it graciously and well. The decision has been made and your manager had their reasons for choosing your co-worker. We don’t know the criteria, but they could have included include competency, seniority, and the person best suited to be both team player and team leader in the manager’s absence.  
If you feel are the better qualified candidate then do not let this disappointment compromise the work you produce. And be mindful of expressing your dissatisfaction with the decision. It may be that your peers feel the right choice was made.

Adrienne Taylor-Parham, SHRM-SCP · Answer

I know this is hard, but you must be humble and remain positive. You could look at this as an opportunity to let your skills shine; show you are a team player; supportive of management decisions; and helpful to your colleagues.  Who knows, this may be a test by your boss to see if you are ready to move to the next level.  Since you don't know the reason why you were not chosen don't make assumptions. Just do the best job you can to make things work smoothly during this absence as it may play in your favor later in a big way. I wish you all the best.

Amy Pasquale · Answer

Hi there! I hear your disappointment and can understand it.  Having been 'the boss' who selected a peer from amongst peers to lead a team (not in my absence, but in their bosses absence) I know that for the most part the other peers agreed with the decision, but there was a bit of 'I should have been picked' from one team member.  Here's what I would suggest.  During this interim period be very supportive, respectful and helpful to the interim person.  Your character and qualities will shine through by wanting them to succeed.  Once the boss returns (or if they aren't and another person put this person in charge while that gap is being filled) initiate a conversation that expresses your ambition and solicit some feedback/input about how you might focus yourself (from their perspective) to be the interim person if/when this happens again.  So you let others know you want more and you also learn more about what is being looked for in order to do that.  Hope this helps!

Jessica Virtuoso, MBA, SHRM-CP · Answer

From what little you've given here, I think you're stuck in a place where you need to swallow it. There are political factors at play here that your boss might be aware of, but you might not.

By virtue of you stating this person was here longer but you think you should have been chosen tells me you might have to look deeper at your own assumptions about who YOU are as a team player and what could have motivated her to be selected over you, other than longevity.

Please understand I don't mean this disrespectfully, but it's critical to understand that being a star performer doesn't mean that the rest of the team will fall into place and follow you. In someone's absence, a manager is (hopefully) going to pick the person to keep the team stable and moving forward reasonably well. If that isn't you, show respect for the person currently leading the team. When your boss returns, you can ask about what you might need to consider or improve upon that might have her trust you with greater authority.

Jessica A. Tracy · Answer

First, I agree that you must tread lightly in this situation. Saying or doing the wrong thing can ruin your reputation and your career.

I'm in a similar situation. I am the 'new' girl to my team but have more experience related to our specific area (quality management). Additionally, the more senior colleague does not like to make decisions on her own. I act in lines of how Megan above says and show through my work that I am the more experienced/better fit for leading the department than the colleague that is more senior just because of years with the company. Others outside of our department have already picked up on this and have been regularly coming to me for advice/questions/concerns rather than her. I ensure that our manager is copied/in the loop and just answer their inquires. There isn't much you can do beyond that without stepping on toes.

Chloe Nguyen · Answer

I wonder if the decision was based solely on tenure.  Because if you did get selected to lead the team, it would look weird that there was one person who had been there for longer who was taking the lead from someone less senior.

Elizabeth Ragone · Answer

Agree you must tread v lightly. The decision has been made and I’d make the best of it. However. It’s a great opening to a conversation w your boss when she gets back. “How can I be the person you’d look to take your place if this ever happened again? What do I need to work on to get there?” And listen and reflect on any feedback you get. Good luck!

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