New COO

Anonymous

April 16,2023 at 8:00PM UTC

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New COO

We have a new COO that believes that reassigning tasks consistently within the organization is a good thing.. This is his management style.

He has been there for only a few months and he has reassigned duties within and between departments. He is very impatient, reactive, impulsive, etc. that makes me very nervous and uncertain about my future with the company AND the future of the company. He is a dictator and his responses can be very childish at times. i.e. he would say things like this must happen, I don't wanna (more like want to but sounds like wanna) do it that way, that was not my decision so it is not my fault, etc.

He has shuffled tasks including mine and also suggested that my assistant assume some of my responsibilities. I am the manager. I am feeling uncertain and don't feel that he even knows what he is doing. He takes direction from a rogue HR Manager who also doesn't know what she is doing.

I really loved my job, but his style is so crazy. I forsee people leaving in droves.

I am 63 years old and feel that it is going to be tough for me to find another job at the salary I am at. I have been with the company for 11.5 years. I almost feel that he and the HR Manager are trying to come up with a succession plan for me and trying to phase my position out by reducing my responsibilities. Every time he does that, I create more tasks for my department. It seems like I am playing chess but how long is this sustainable?

Please provide me with any insights you have.

Thank you.

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Stephanie ButlerApril 16,2023 at 8:51PM UTC
I would suggest the “ask vs. tell” approach. If he’s open to it, request 30 mins to meet with him to better understand the type of leader he is, share some wins from you directly and your department, along with where he sees the future of operations. That way, you are clear and can make a decision from there. I’m really big on focused feedback and do better when there are no grey areas. Not sure if this is the best approach but rather my recommended approach.
AnonymousApril 17,2023 at 10:48AM UTC
Sounds like our new area manager. He is quick tempered, picky, and has deep seething anger. He also targeted me because I’m the least obeying and mindless person there. So…. I just do my best. He has a reputation throughout the company and it’s not good.
Mare LevineApril 17,2023 at 1:23PM UTC
I agree with Stephanie to reach out and talk with him. Ask, 'How can I support you?' After your talk, send out notes to confirm the discussion and the priorities. Then use this as your hit list--every week (or two, depending upon the cadence he prefers) you send him written updates of your progress, and ask if there are any new priorities.
On the surface, it looks like you are the amazing employee of 11 years doing what you can to support a new COO. Beneath the surface, you are also creating a paper trail that shows you 1) met with him 2) followed his list of priorities 3) that you're making progress on them per your reports. This may help smooth things with him--but it may not. What it will do is to help protect you if they (COO + HR) come for your position and try to unfairly oust you. At this point, you may need to talk with an employment law specialist to find out what your options are.
If he changes your priorities every week, it's frustrating for you, but it reflects on him. Weak, chaotic decision-making skills and poor people skills are not going to make him valued. The rest of the c-suite will be watching his behavior and you may discover he departs on his own power or with some help--just like Anonymous posted about the new manager at her work. Or they may just keep him for reasons that make no sense to the rest of us.
I am 61 and I am job hunting right now because of a sick family member and a need to move to another state. Is it fun to be older and looking for work? Nope, but it's what I need to do for me and my future.
Ask yourself what you need for your future. If you don't want to try and outlast the COO, then you need to polish up your resume, your LinkedIn profile, etc. and start hunting. Good luck to you on whatever you decide is right for you.
AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 12:32PM UTC
I agree with Mare - she provided excellent advice! In this climate, instead of worrying about age, consider your experience because you will be happily surprised when you see that your value has gone up! I keep my brain fresh with trainings, watching industry news, creating relationships at work to ensure I'm considered valuable to the right people. I went into contract consulting when I was offered a VP role at a major organization because I didn't want that kind of crazy...and it has been the BEST decisions I ever made! Don't let negative self talk sabotage you - you are going to be valued and make sure you don't sell yourself short, whether you stay or go!
Stephanie ButlerApril 18,2023 at 7:33PM UTC
I hope everything works out for you!
AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 12:24PM UTC
Seems like this COO is lazy and wants to collect a phat check and get everyone to do their job.
Marcia SmithApril 18,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
agree 100%
GirlBossanova934974April 18,2023 at 1:31PM UTC
First question that I have is are all these changes resulting into any POSITIVE change? Financial results, operational results etc etc? Has there been any PLAN discussed or mentioned that we are moving this task to so and so in order that such and such can better do this other task? Are things moving better? Getting done faster? Cheaper? etc etc? If you are still searching around for answers and cannot come up with any quick responses aka there IS NOT a win out there, then it may be time to conclude that this is just moving around the deck chairs on the Titanic! In my career, I have seen this go both ways. The people who really know what they are doing are going to tell you up front what they are trying to accomplish with various changes. The clueless just shout orders. You have to decide here. If your answers are not positive, I would look for another job. THE JOB MARKET is changing. Experience is wanted!
Marcia SmithApril 18,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
Start looking for a new job NOW - there are positions and ways that you can reduce the impact your age will have on your job hunting process. What you describe sounds like a LOT of stress and impending disaster. Don't wait until there is a bigger problem.
AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 3:41PM UTC
I agreed with most people on the comments that you can start by trying to build a closer relationship with him and ask for his feedback and expectations. If you realized that after awhile he's just not the right leader for this company and your position is being jeopardize, then you should start looking for a new position immediately.
A toxic culture will lead to mass exodus of talents, that COO might not be lasting very long as he's also new to the job.
Try to find someone in your company you can confide in and ask for recommendations for next steps as well.
AbeApril 18,2023 at 5:16PM UTC
Wait until you get your exact point of view to what they are doing
AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 5:57PM UTC
Stay the course and document and bcc your personal email for anything agregious that seems out of whack for what you are paid to do. Start looking and see what is out there just in case you need to fall out fast. If you do find something think hard about stay vs go as you will have to break in new people all over again. I would definitely make sure that you get in writing as much as you can for the near future. Good luck.
AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 12:29AM UTC
I think you should talk to the HR Manger and just see what she says even though she may not know what she is doing just so she can be aware of things. Clearly you have been at the company for a very long time and everyone their should know who you are and your value to the table. If you feel the HR Manger is not going to listen then go to someone above the HR Manger. At least if you went to the HR Manger she can document that you let her know what is going on and how you felt. You have been at company for a very long time so it may be hard for you to let go I think you have some serious thinking to do and I wish you the best of luck. :)