Hi Everyone —

Anonymous

November 24,2022 at 4:54PM UTC

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Hi Everyone —

My department is currently going through a reorg as a result of a new executive joining the company. They posted two senior level roles early on for my team and another similar one which were open for months.

Earlier this month she told me that she had hired someone for the senior role and that the person would start next month. This person will be my direct manager. In addition to that, she also posted a role which was supposed to be my backfill as I was recently promoted to a Director but they will now report to my new manager. I only found out that the role was posted because a few colleagues reached out to refer people thinking the role reported to me (b/c they posted the JD that I wrote for it months ago).

While I don’t feel concerned that I’m being laid off, it’s rather off putting that this new executive who has little to no interactions with me, and when we do speak always tells me the wonderful things she’s heard about me from leaders at our company, is making decisions that directly affect me without informing or involving me in the process. Oh and she has since canceled the other senior role for the other team and they all report to her now.

I’ve provided direct feedback about how I don’t feel welcomed, valued or supported by her and she just blows it off and tells me as a leader I need to be positive in front of others and welcome this new person. I’ve never gotten feedback about development opps or things I need to work on so it’s crazy to be constantly told how amazing you’re doing but then left out of the loop. Heavy gaslighting.

She even connected my new manager and I via email and suggested we connect prior to her start date. It’s a decent gesture but I don’t get why if I’ve been excluded from the entire process.

On one hand, I am grateful for the help as I led my team’s function solo for several years sans a contractor or two. I stood up the entire department, and proposed the team structure that resulted in my promotion only to be completely left in the dark now.

Has anyone ever gone through a similar situation where they hired your direct manager without involving you in the process? Or hired other people on your team without your knowledge? How did you handle it? Should I be concerned at all?

Or am I being a brat here and need to suck it up and do my work and be grateful for the help?

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AnonymousNovember 24,2022 at 10:57PM UTC
I've seen this type of day one (or even pre-start) reorganization where they are "flattening layers" and it's always been a control freak who wants to silo all information so they can control the narrative. My personal experiences with this type of situation have been disastrous. Keep a close eye on what's going on, but consider looking for other opportunities. The last time I dealt with one of these people, I outlasted her, but we're still dealing with significant fallout 2+ years after her ouster.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 8:40PM UTC
Any tips on outlasting her? I’m beginning to understand that a reorg isn’t uncommon for my particular area and advice I’ve been given by other leaders I’ve spoken to about this is to give it a few months and they’ll be gone. Sadly.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 11:57PM UTC
I didn't have to directly answer to her. She ran off a number of senior people, some of whom were long past needing to go, but others who were a big loss. Her main deal was to quash communication so nobody was sure what was going on. I would advise sticking tight to your contacts outside of your direct reporting line. Be very careful about bucking direct orders, but continue to cultivate your relationships. Tread very carefully with the folks she's bringing in. Even if they weren't with her previously, they are often picked for loyalty to the new leader. She may also be coming in with orders to shake loose deadweight. It's accepted that there's likely some collateral damage and you lose some solid performers as well, so you need to stand firm if you are sure you want to be there to pick up the pieces afterwards. Good luck.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 8:44AM UTC
It happened to me and I just started my job seach immediately. I know your feeling and I'm very sorry that you have to go through this. you definetly deserve a better workplace.
My advice is to let go, stay calm and search for another opportunity. focus on your self and your future and never underistimate the importance of your mental health and your inner peace. Stay strong my dear!
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 2:22PM UTC
I write this comment respectfully: you're creating an impossible list of tasks for this new boss to execute on to secure your approval. A few things come to mind as I read your post.
-There's a new sheriff in town. They have the support and backing of your executive leadership team. They do NOT need to seek your approval or buy-in to execute on their vision. They're making changes in the hierarchy and shifting open roles. While it would be nice to check in with you and get your opinion, realize where you are in the pecking order. Please consider ways to adjust your expectations on this.
-You can be upset that your new boss didn't include you in the leadership transition plan but is now trying to facilitate an introduction to your new boss...but you won't win this battle. Agonize about this for the next ten minutes then bury your negativity, put your big girl pants on and start to establish yourself as a trusted advisor to this new leader. You have tremendous opportunity in front of you.
-You likely won't get the recognition for your previous leadership (leading your team's function solo) that you're seeking so figure out if you can get over this.
If this were me, I'd suck it up and plot a path forward. If you can't get over this new leadership team and reporting structure, time to start looking for a new job. Best of luck in your next steps.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 8:17PM UTC
I appreciate this perspective so thanks for responding. I don’t agree that by asking to be involved in the process of bringing people to your team is an impossible task. I think it leans into leading with emotional IQ vs not. The decision on this is of course hers and I respect that what I don’t understand is her approach. Which again she clearly doesn’t need my approval on. But please understand that I am a trusted leader at this organization as well and have credibility with our executive team.
I’ve already received the recognition for my work, hence me being promoted in under a year so I’m not seeking any recognition at all. And that’s not how I operate regardless. I just don’t feel she’s going about this the right way so I wanted other’s experiences with this and again, appreciate your perspective here as well.
She is the new sherriff in town and I respect management’s decision in bringing her here. I have to go with my gut in terms of how she’s handling things as I’m sure many of us have seen similar situations like this play out before. So ultimately my decision is if I would rather wait it out understanding that things will most likely change in six months or so or do I save my sanity and wellbeing and find a better opportunity elsewhere within the organization that I do love being apart of.
AnonymousNovember 27,2022 at 3:12PM UTC
Unfortunately, when there is a new leader it sometimes resets your work currency "clock". They weren't there to all the work and you have to re-prove yourself. It ducks but it happens. I think you need to decide if you are willing to put that work in again.
Donna LaPointeNovember 27,2022 at 5:03PM UTC
Yes it's all about what can you do for her now vs all the great stuff you've done over the last year. Even if you do everything right going forward, there's no guarantee she won't bring in someone to replace you. Been there and done that. It sucks but that's how corporate America works for quite a while now.
JulieNovember 27,2022 at 3:15PM UTC
Why would you be involved in a hire that doesn’t report to you? They didn’t have to introduce you two at all ahead of time. You got the hierarchy you wanted for your promotion. As long as you aren’t demoted in title or money, what’s the issue here? If you want to be in on hiring decisions then you need to work to be the boss. Just because you suggest a great idea doesn’t mean they have to follow it to the letter.