New boss doesn’t meet minimum qualifications…?

Anonymous

July 6,2022 at 10:47PM UTC

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New boss doesn’t meet minimum qualifications…?

Recently, someone from a different group was placed as my group’s new boss and she has no experience (and doesn’t even fit the qualifications as per what was listed on the job description). To make things more interesting, she didn’t even apply for the role or interview for it, so it was more of a political move of the larger manager. I think she feels guilty about it, but hey, she accepted and signed the offer letter.

A team meeting is being held in a few days (a Q&A), so what are some good questions to ask this new manager (without sounding salty).

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AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 11:19PM UTC
First ask the agenda includes a round robin intro of each team member, title and 1 line of overall duties. Ask new boss what she foresees as touch points for the success of the team and her strategy.
AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 12:20AM UTC
Don't ask anything except perhaps her favorite color. Keep your head down, take notes, laugh when she cracks a joke and nod appreciatively when she says how much she will enjoy working with you all.
She obviously has political capital and I bet she is full of confidence that everything will be just fine despite her lack of qualifications.
SLTJuly 7,2022 at 1:42AM UTC
Wow -- regarding the situation!
I thought MY work place was crazy! Lollll!!
I have no constructive advice other than to nod, say little, be decent, take "notes" and ask about bullet points of success. "I look forward to working with you!"
What water are managers drinking these days???!!! (Asking for a friend!)
AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 11:48AM UTC
Yeah the rest of the team is in disbelief! I’m not sure what the angle is but I guess we will see what what is said. If not, I think a lot of people are dusting their resumes off
AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 7:12PM UTC
A lot of companies these days - it seems - are running on the day to day and not thinking.
Thos is one of them.
I like the response where a poster said to be careful on how much help.
AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 3:51AM UTC
She doesn't have to do or know anything. This job was a gift.
Be helpful and volunteer to assist. This is extremely common.
AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 11:36AM UTC
I suggest listening to what she has to say and determining from that how you should proceed. As far as helping her, be careful if that's the path you decide to take. It may be extremely common to be helpful since only 18% of people in management positions are qualified for their jobs, but do not allow yourself to become a doormat. Nor, should you put yourself in a situation where you are doing her job for her while she gets the credit and the paycheck as you take the blame for her failures. More interesting info is below.
"Gallup has found that one of the most important decisions companies make is simply whom they name manager. Yet our analytics suggest they usually get it wrong. In fact, Gallup finds that companies fail to choose the candidate with the right talent for the job 82% of the time." The rest of the "great" news is here, https://www.gallup.com/workplace/231593/why-great-managers-rare.aspx#:~:text=Nearly%20one%20in%20five%20(18,companies%20than%20average%20managers%20do.
Julie Chatman, MBA, CISMJuly 7,2022 at 8:33PM UTC
I'm not sure how the question relates to the backdrop. The person is your boss. Ask questions about things you'd want to know about from your boss.
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 11:38AM UTC
Since this is your team, and your new boss (regardless of how she got the job, or her qualifications - you don't know the backstory), I'd suggest doing your best to make your entire team shine. She may not have all the particular job description qualifications, but hopefully she has some really great ones that can bring you all together and lift you all up.
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 12:52PM UTC
Okay, I see why you’re unhappy.
But your role is now to support your new manager and clue her in.
Let her ask the questions at the team meeting. Be genuinely helpful.
About the only thing you can legitimately ask (and this is best done privately) is: “The way I reported to former boss was XYZ. Would you like to see any changes in that?”
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 7:01PM UTC
I totally get your annoyance. Unfortunately, in alot of professions some people just float through life based on their connections. It is what it is. This is why many elites pay the big bucks to get their kids into IV league schools. Its about the connections they build to secure an elite job where you have to know someone just to get in.
If she will be your new boss, to be salty amongst a group of colleagues is less than smart and depending on her level of influence (since she got through politics and nepotism) might put you in a bad place, so I would take a humble approach and tread carefully if I were you. If you cannot think of anything nice or pleasant to ask, don't at all.
Spend more time observing and learning about her as a leader and find genuine opportunities to build a rapport with her 1 on 1. She might be your gateway to your next promotion. She could be your blessing in disguise, and you don't even know it. For ex, David as small as he was in stature managed to kill Goliath with a rock. Samson, tearing apart lions with his hands, he was not built like Fabio.
Change your perspective, rethink your approach to be more selfish about what you want in your career not what someone else is lacking in theirs.
Karen KazmierczakAugust 1,2022 at 3:18PM UTC
Sorry this happened but now is the time to be part of her team. Ask questions without the attitude. Since this is the first time meeting her ask about her expectations of the team, 1 on 1 meetings with staff and team meetings. These are all questions that would benefit the whole team.