Hello everyone.

Anonymous

December 7,2023 at 5:10PM UTC

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Hello everyone.

I struggle with some challenges in self-worth based on others perceptions. While i'm working on it - it will be a lifelong challenge.

I was hoping for some insight. I started at an organization that it didn't take long to see that it was a toxic work environment. I was seen as a threat by the sales team, and for the five years I was there, I had my ideas stolen, I was challenged at every turn, thrown under the bus and bullied. But let me say - I wasn't alone. They didn't treat anyone in the organization with respect, and unfortunatley upper management failed to address it.

Anyway - I brought in millions of dollars, and the ownership knew that, even though the sales team did all they could to sabotage the data within the CRM - again, management failed to address it. Fast forward, the company is sold. The new company has its own Marketing in another country, and the new leader has NO idea about marketing or how it works. Even though the prior owner told them Marketing was the secret sauce to their success.

I'm out of a job because the new leader was given incorrect data and not all of the data and she didn't feel it was worth it to keep me around. Never once did she ask for my insight, my thoughts on how to get the new brand off and running. She didn't want to hear anything from me. Mind you I had been given free reign to do what I needed to do after submission of my marketing strategy, planning and budget was approved for the year - the new owner micromanged me to death. But again, I wasn't the only one.

In the six months she had me stop doing what I was doing, sales rapidly declined. In the months following my departure it increased, and she didn't understand why it was so slow I was told. Its been almost a year and there is no newly branded website, the sales team doesn't have business cards, no marketing AT ALL has been done. She did hire a contractor that used to work for me back on a project basis to help refresh the website (basically do what I told her she should do), but the cost is minimal.

Why do I feel so rejected that I was the ONLY one to be let go. After all the abuse I had taken and the success I created, despite being loved by everyone else except the sales team, i'm the only one without a job.

If I look back, I can see where she was setting me up to be let go. So I was on the cutting block since day one.

I have to wonder is it this leaders ignorance, or did the sales team have me ousted and she believe them? The biggest scam artist got promoted. I would think maybe she had influence, but it turns out she's being micromanaged way beyond what I was. The new leader is basically telling everyone how to jump, when to jump and how high. If you don't wait for her direction, there will be hell to pay.

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AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 5:41PM UTC
Sometimes it's personal and no matter what your perspective is, it hurts when people don't see your value.
So my suggestion is to try and move forward. Leave your blow by blow, personal opinions and following the day to day activities of the company in the past. They no longer concern you.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 5:45PM UTC
I'm sorry this happened to you and it seems as if you're still struggling to let go of this experience.
You'll likely never get a satisfactory explanation of what happened and why you were let go.
As to what is happening with the company and its marketing materials and sales today, who gives a shit. Its simply no longer your problem. It sounds like you're still in touch with old colleagues there who are feeding you these updates and complaints. I'm concerned, however, that remaining involved in this drama that no longer involves you, is preventing you from moving on.
Please do yourself a favor and choose to extricate yourself from this vortex. Its negatively impacting you and preventing you from closing this chapter and shifting to other things.
It's clear that your still hanging onto this so consider connecting with a mental health provider to help you process this experience. Best wishes in your next steps.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 6:00PM UTC
I explained about their lack of marketing because it shows she wasn’t concerned about marketing even after I left, so does this show she just didn’t think marketing was important or that I wasn’t important. I guess that was my point.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 6:43PM UTC
I saw this respectfully, but does it really matter that this former boss wasn't concerned about marketing? Again, not your problem or responsibility. What if she runs this organization into the ground...also not your problem!
Suffering is a choice and this seems to be plaguing you more than a year after it happened. I'm glad to see you're seeking therapy and I hope you tell your counselor that you're seeking advice from a bunch of strangers. You clearly have an unmet need to continue surgically dissecting this situation. I also get the sense that you have awareness that you'll never get this question answered. Its easy for many of us to say get over it, but know this comes from a place of concern and not criticism. You're wasting your valuable time and resources agonizing over this issue of yesteryear.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Stop obsessing about the past and move forward. Clearly you have solid skills that another employer could surely use and being a revenue driver take it to the nearest competitor or other in the same space. Don't dwell on things, don't bash the new owners when you interview, don't be negative, talk about your successes and blame lack of alignment on forward direction with new leadership for why you left there. Move on call it collateral damage in your brain for what you experienced but get over it. It doesn't help you at all to keep reviewing what went wrong, new owners, new rules. Onward to your career!!!!
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 6:31PM UTC
Therapy can help you with your thoughts and obsessive dwelling on things that impact your self esteem
Judith SheehanDecember 7,2023 at 6:33PM UTC
Thank you - I am in therapy.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 10:41PM UTC
I worked for a company built on acquisitions from 1981-2003. In the 22 years I was there, I worked in many departments and was in senior management starting in my sixth or seventh year. I was laid off in my 22nd year, mostly because I refused to participate in some unethical accounting behavior regarding altering records to make a product under development look like it was being shipped. Thus, revenue could be pushed forward a quarter. This practice led to a massive bonus for the top three executives, and two of them eventually paid jail time for it.
I'm only relating my experience to let you know that you aren't the only one that things like this happen. I stuck to my principles, and that got me let go. I relish the thought that I did my best and what was right, and I have been living outside the jail cells when they were in them for ten years or so. Karma comes around for people who put their best interest ahead of those who report to them and are responsible for the products and services that provide them with cushy offices, bonuses, and salaries.
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 10:45PM UTC
In addition to the previous comment, I understand that you are hurting and letting this affect your mental health and self-worth. "Getting it over it" isn't an option because it is part of your history. My suggestion is to work with your therapist to see what types of coping mechanisms you can employ to get you through it.