Help!

Anonymous

March 20,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

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Help! Is it me? Or the company?

Hi everyone, I've been a tech project manager for a veeeeeery long time and was hired into a program manager role just about two years ago. On the first day I arrived, I was told some things that made me feel like perhaps I was just seen as a (temporary) warm body to fill a labor category on a T&M program and that I had no other value to my boss. During my tenure, I've done everything possible (in my mind) to demonstrate that I have skills that bring value to the company and to the program, but I've always felt that she saw me as disposable. I even asked multiple times what I could do to be more of an asset to the company (and was never given any actionable ways). Despite building a really high-performing team, keeping everything on schedule and within budget, and exceeding the client's expectation on a recent delivery, other managers regularly downplay my team's successes and my budget keeps getting cut. Now I've been advised that they are slashing the budget even further and I'm very nervous that instead of finding me another program to manage, I'm being set up to be let go. I don't understand how I can do my best, do everything right and still be the one on the chopping block when there are others who literally have cost the company millions through their inexperience and incompetence but who seem to be "golden children" who can do no wrong.

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AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 3:46PM UTC
In most companies' eyes and today's corporate cultures, employees are commodities and, therefore, disposable. Making oneself indispensable sounds like job security, but it is the opposite. It makes it impossible for you to do anything else in the company.
Have your performance reviews been glowing or mediocre? Have you had raises that reflected your reviews? If they are both on the glowing side, you will likely get another team. If they are more mediocre, it would be good to start looking somewhere that will appreciate what you can bring to the company.
Mare LevineMarch 21,2023 at 1:42PM UTC
I know you have done an amazing job at trying to prove your worth, however, why do you keep paddling a sinking ship? It's been two years of your thinking this company will wake up and appreciate you. They aren't. The fact you have labeled it the 'golden child' means your eyes are wide open.
Start feeling good about yourself again by:
1) Updating your resume
2) Start job hunting
3) Befriend some great recruiters if you haven't already
4) Join and participate in some professional organizations related to your work if you haven't already
5) Save money to float you while you hunt in case you need to give notice, or they finally get around to cutting you
As a grey-haired project manager in tech myself, be prepared that it could be a long hunt, but you are NEVER too old to be happy and respected in your job. Learn from this experience, and if it happens again in the future, redo steps 1-5 after six months there, and don't look back.
You deserve so much better!
Jennifer WeaverMarch 21,2023 at 3:10PM UTC
I feel this to my core. Did we work together? Unfortunately, without "social capital" it is difficult to get "seen" as much as someone who managed to play the game better. To be clear - this is a poorly led org if the baseline for success is whether you are a favorite. But that doesn't really help you. Don't change who you are. Keep doing your job and start the job hunting process on the side. It will be a lot of work in the short term, but I hope something works out where you are valued.
Melissa NobileMarch 24,2023 at 12:20PM UTC
Update your resume and make sure you include all the good things you have done these last 2 years. Find another job and run away as fast as you can. Don’t worry about leaving them to tie up all the loose ends with this project. They don’t deserve you.
AnonymousMarch 24,2023 at 5:03PM UTC
I am dealing with something similar in my job right now. My "supervisor" is a golden child that can do no wrong. She's very young and a first time manager. And she just gave me a negative review. I truly believe she is trying to push me out. I wrote a rebuttal to the review, mainly for myself. Upper management has been silent, which I take as they support her 100% and I am voiceless and have no value.
Upper management has said in meetings that they are terrified she will leave, and they will never be able to replace her because she is such a rock star.
I relocated for this job, and really thought it was going to be the one. What I have learned is that you cannot make people see your value, like your style or appreciate you. It's like the professor that reads your first paper and determines that is your grade for the entire course.
It is heartbreaking. It is unfair. It is like being in The Twilight Zone. Sadly, this job no longer serves you beyond a paycheck until you find a company that can see appreciate what you bring to the table. Do the minimum, and find a table where you truly have a seat and are welcomed. Best of luck.
AnonymousMarch 25,2023 at 2:11PM UTC
Start looking for another role. Your expertise probably threatens this manager and doing a good job won’t fix the issue.
KathyMarch 25,2023 at 2:33PM UTC
A similar thing happened to me. Perhaps you weren't your bosses first choice. Ultimately your boss is threatened by your competence. Time to look for a new position. Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 25,2023 at 4:47PM UTC
Are you being aged out? If you think this is the case look closely and perhaps take legal action. Are you just reporting to a poor manager who really doesn't value their resources? Or are the projects you are working on secondary to the core of the business? No matter what it's clear the message after 2 years is you really don't matter as much as you would like to in their infrastructure. So it's probably a good idea to have a backup plan for considering other options. When you go think about your team and whether any would follow you to the next place.
Crystal HowellMarch 26,2023 at 12:00PM UTC
Congrats to and your team for the successes you accomplished.
Just curious how does the team feel? Your skill set obviously is feeling threatened by your direct report. How long before retirement? You can look for another job and start over, be prepared it will take a lot time and frustration finding one. You can request a meeting with your boss and there boss to see if more funds can be allocated and come with a solution to how to make it work, Good luck.