I came upon a situation and I'm looking for advise on how to, or if I should respond.

16 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 4:12PM UTC

   Stay out of it. You were not brought into the meeting and only are privy to the information because you overheard it. I would stay in your lane.

2. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 12:33PM UTC

   I’ve held senior marketing roles and I can tell you that as a marketing assistant, unfortunately, you don’t have a say. The CEO and the Growth Strategy Manager are planning next steps to build and improve certain aspects of marketing. That’s part of leadership, and it may also mean that the president could be on the way out. Stay in your lane.

3. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 12:51PM UTC

   This is a tough spot. Your experience, tenure at the company and your boss's previous reassurances are reasonable motivations to speak to your boss, and to your boss only.

   Speaking to your boss is not like absolutely necessary; you aren't obligated. But if you're leaning toward bringing this up, then that's reasonable.

   You could ask for a brief, private meeting with your boss. During the meeting, stick to the facts of what you happened to overhear. Then mention that you' re sharing because those facts differed from what your boss shared, express your support for your boss and the company. Then pause, wait for your boss's reaction. Follow your boss's lead. If you feel it's appropriate, reaffirm your support of the boss and company as a whole. Then carry on with work.

   If you share with your boss only, stick to the facts, and express support of both boss and company, then that could be helpful. But, again, you're not obligated to do anything about this situation.

   Oh, and also, don't share with your boss any speculation about what they do and don't know. Stick to facts (ie. I overheard a conversation between ceo and GSM. They stated _____. I wanted to bring to your attention because you discussed _____.) No speculation, no fear mongering.

   For your concerns about your own role, consider leaving that for a separate conversation with your boss.

4. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 1:35PM UTC

   From one Admin to another - here is how I see it. Story time... you can ask for a meeting and speak to your boss and ask to clarify your position since they don't know what to do with your role. Let them know that it seems this is a crossroads moment, and you want to be that strategic partner with a seat at the table and show them all that you have done in the marketing arena and that you are looking for more responsibility and to transition from that Admin Assistant role. Ask them to give you a shot, at least in the interim. If it works out great - if not, then revisit the discussion of bringing in an outside firm. Let them know you have ideas, and you can make a contribution. (i.e. this is what I have done - this is what I can do) You have experience and since you have been at the company for 6 years you have a wealth of knowledge about who your customers are and what they want from your company. Let them see you outside of your Admin Role, put together a portfolio of accomplishments in your marketing area. Gather some feedback from customers about things you have done for them or provide them resources that you can, in fact, back up what you are saying. Sometimes leaders are so busy with their own day to day they have tunnel vision, and they can't see what is right in front of them. Consider this as an opportunity to take the blinders off and shed some light on the subject. I hope this is helpful. Thanks

5. Tami L CannizzaroMay 21,2025 at 3:08PM UTC

   Tough situation; I'm sorry. Yet at the same time this is an opportunity for you to speak up about how you want to progress in your career. Do you want to be a marketer or an admin? This is the conversation I would be having with my boss, something that speaks to how much I enjoy working for the firm, data to support how my work/ideas improved outcomes for the organization, and because of my success in this area, I would like to focus this role going forward. I understand I may need to cover both bases for a while (happy to do so), yet how do I advance toward this goal? OR something like that. Bosses don't know what we want unless we tell them. Plus, this new CEO may see you more as an Admin vs. a Marketer, and this could be why you were not included in the discussions about the outside marketing agency.

6. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 3:39PM UTC

   Step up. Have the conversation directly with the CEO about the solidity of your skills and where you excel. Keep in mind as an Assistant he/she will not likely hand you the whole pie but will perhaps if they seek to retain you in that role will add you into the conversation. Stay humble but let them know what you want to do or you will be relegated to the role of Admin instead. Let them know how your value and experience can add to what they want to do and that the things you don't want can be rolled under a new underling if they can move you more directly into the marketing side 100%. If this is not doable and they remove you from all of those things then it might be time for you to move on where you can be a pure marketeer with a growth and career trajectory. Don't sit silently there because if you do you will not be able to control your own destiny and direction. Worst case they say no and you know what you have to do. Don't bash the GSM person during these conversations because that won't help your cause. Come into the conversation prepared with a written plan and show them why you are the one who should help steer some of these objectives.

7. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 5:13PM UTC

   I can't tell who you report to. The outgoing president is now the CEO but there's a current president you work with. Who do you work for?? That's who you meet with. Sounds like they are reorging and they don't know what to do with your role. So step up, ask questions of your boss, and market yourself. Do you have the skills they are seeking? If they are using an outside firm, less likely you will be able to take on their role. At the end of the day, what do you want? Then ask for it, or at least ask for the direction they are going and ask how do I fit this new directive? Seriously, ask them. If they don't know, get your resume ready and seek work elsewhere.

8. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 11:56PM UTC

   The Growth Strategy Manager was having an online meeting with the CEO ... in the kitchen? And you don't want to leave this company? I would feel free to mention to my boss, The President, "Oh, I overheard X talking in the kitchen with Y and they are going hire a firm to redo the website. Do you have any details? How would my role change?"

9. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 12:56PM UTC

   How are you SURE That the current president, Your boss, Doesn't already know about these plans?? Regardless, I think you need to keep in mind two very important things. Firstly, If you work in an at will state, Your job is never guaranteed. I lost my job one month after A perfect performance review one month prior, Because the company was going under and the company president had informed no one, Not even my manager (who was the vice president.).. So a month later , I walked Into a meeting and was given severance papers. The fact that your boss has given you assurances that you would keep your job does not necessarily mean anything if the CEO Makes other decisions.

   And this leads me to my second point. I would discuss the conversation that you overheard.Privately with your immediate boss ,The President.... And then, I would say no more about it. The person who is discussing this in the employee break room should be fired for having such an important conversation in a public setting.But that's not for us to decide. Just inform your immediate supervisor of what you heard and say no more... Let this play out.

10. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 1:04PM UTC

    I would document the conversation in the kitchen, then talk to your boss (not the CEO or the Growth Strategy Manager) about what you saw and heard with the documentation. Ask your boss to clarify your role. If he says that your job should continue as is, I would ask him to set up a meeting with you, him, the CEO and the Growth Strategy Manager so that you can be part of the ongoing marketing of the company and your work is integrated with their plans. Otherwise, I think you need to give serious thought to your professional future and decide whether you want to remain at this company.

11. Patricia Osborne RandolphMay 22,2025 at 1:48PM UTC

    Maybe being open and transparent about your concerns may help reduce your possible anxiety about this situation.

12. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 2:37PM UTC

    I'd ask your boss directly for clarity. From what you've said, it sounds like they're rethinking marketing, which impacts your role. Bringing it up in the break room feels intentional.

    If your gut says something’s off, it probably is. I'd update your resume as soon as possible. Discussing this in a break room about using another marketing provider suggests they’re either changing your role or phasing it out.

13. Claudia AhrensMay 22,2025 at 4:19PM UTC

    I suggest bringing it to your boss. Objectively and accurately.

14. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 8:02PM UTC

    Thank you Claudia. Objectively and accurately is the key. No drama.

15. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 8:03PM UTC

    WendyRM, we should go for coffee! I think we'd get along fabulously. It does seem that we're in twin roles with our companies and I really appreciate your input. I'm thankful/sorry you understand my situation so well.

16. AMBAR PICONMay 23,2025 at 6:31PM UTC

    I would bring it up to your boss as a I heard this and curious if you can tell me more about it.

    Sometimes leadership gets pitched about outsourcing and it's just informative. Doesn't mean the CEO is 100% on board or that this is deep into the process where they've left you out.

    However, since you heard what you heard, worth getting a pulse on what is being considered. Then if you really want to be part of it, show initiative. There is also the other case that you start considering other roles within the company or elsewhere.