How to cope with bad work situation?

[brewer12345]

Any chance you could provide a link to some of this research? (I am currently attempting to educate my CEO about several issues within our company which desperately need to be resolved.)

Just print out the thread for him.

 

[Westernskies]

Congratulations on the transfer, Brewer.

 

[brewer12345]

And the beat(ing) goes on. They just announcedthe reorg that was promised. They moved out the co-heads of the team and replaced them with a person who is possibly the worst choice they could have made and will actually make things worse. The panic in my colleagues eyes' is unmistakable.

Now it all makes sense, though. The reason I was suddenly given my walking papers is that they had made their choice and she gave me the thumbs down. Well, I hope they are prepared for 100% turnover...

 

[audreyh1]

Wow - you really dodged the bullet!!!!! Congrats!

Audrey

 

[Nords]

Well, I hope they are prepared for 100% turnover...

That's called "building your own team"...

 

[brewer12345]

That's called "building your own team"...

Actually they might achieve over 100% turnover as the few suckers they con into moving into this mess realize what they have gotten themselves into and run for the exits.

 

[CoolChange]

Just print out the thread for him.

I'm not sure I want to educate him quite that much.

Actually they might achieve over 100% turnover as the few suckers they con into moving into this mess realize what they have gotten themselves into and run for the exits.

We just tried to hire a new sales guy from outside the company: He accepted the position; and, we had lots of internal fanfare about finally finding the right guy for the position. But, he changed his mind and decided not to join the company a few days before his official start date.

 

[RonBoyd]

Any chance you could provide a link to some of this research? (I am currently attempting to educate my CEO about several issues within our company which desperately need to be resolved.)

I haven't watched this program but isn't that the premise behind that new TV show, "Undercover Boss"?

 

[Bimmerbill]

You sound a bit like me! I am a specialist and take it personally when my advice is routinely ignored. I'm sure its a personality flaw I have, and am trying to work thru it.

I'm beginning to realize being successful in a job isn't just about technical skills or intelligence. It's mostly about people skills.

That's a hard pill for me to swallow.

I am also having a hard time letting go of the bitterness and resentment. Guess it is simply a product of suppressing it so I could secure my ticket out. I am a specialist wth lots of experience at exactly what this department does.

 

[akck]

And the beat(ing) goes on. They just announcedthe reorg that was promised. They moved out the co-heads of the team and replaced them with a person who is possibly the worst choice they could have made and will actually make things worse. The panic in my colleagues eyes' is unmistakable.

It's like they never learn. It makes you think they take all this input from the employees and then do the exact opposite of what was suggested. They must think you all are trying to pull a fast one. One reason why I never truthfully fill out any surveys (although the current company is not bad, but why break a good habit).

Good that you got out when the getting was good. I bet everyone else is either jealous or hating you about now because of their envy. As I said before (maybe not here though), never expect management to fix the problem. More times than not, you'll be disappointed with the results.

 

[brewer12345]

Actually, they have an employee survey going. My unit has the lowest response rate in the entire organization because people doubt its anonymity and don't believe it will be listened to. I share that assessment.

 

[Brat]

Brewer got the change he needed and were I he I would make a quiet, graceful departure. There is nothing he can do to help his former colleagues at this point, and probably not for a year or so, while he establishes creditability with the new group. The problem manager will crash and burn in due time and the next level manager who set this up ideally will pay the consequences. I would make every effort to stay away from that management chain - don't give anyone an opportunity to spread the blame.

There is no guarantee that Brewer's new group is nirvana and no guarantee that his new peers will appreciate his skills. Focus forward...

 

[freebird5825]

I am also having a hard time letting go of the bitterness and resentment. Guess it is simply a product of suppressing it so I could secure my ticket out. I am a specialist wth lots of experience at exactly what this department does. I should have gone in and done really well, doing a lot of "greater good" in the process. Instead I am limping out with my tail between my legs trying not to spew out of disgust.

This must be what they mean when they talk about the "dignity of work."

I'll throw an engineering style cliche at ya...

It is a well known fact that no matter how powerful the output signal is, a transmitter will never be known to have "sent" if the receiver is not turned on.

Try to put all of this in the rearview mirror so as not to taint your future position with any "look-back".

 

[brewer12345]

Getting there on leaving the wreckage behind. I really have been most fortunate in the transition, and I need to internalize that. The scars will heal soon.

I think the next spot is a really solid opportunity and I am probably the best person in the several hundred person workforce to do this particular job (not exaggeration, just has to do with my peculiar past experience). The new team seems to know this and I could do well. Having said all of that, if it does not work out I will throw in the towel and go back to the Street until I am finally FI.

 

[kumquat]

I sure hope it works out in your favour.

 

[Meadbh]

I'm beginning to realize being successful in a job isn't just about technical skills or intelligence. It's mostly about people skills.

You never spoke a truer word...........

 

[Westernskies]

I'm beginning to realize being successful in a job isn't just about technical skills or intelligence. It's mostly about people skills.

Attitude determines altitude.

 

[Brat]

Real leadership is a combination of knowledge and people skills, but often promotions are based on the job a person is doing, not whether or not they possess the skills for the new role. Remember "The Peter Principal"? Once a person is promoted the organization never demotes, they just fire their mistake.

 

[akck]

Real leadership is a combination of knowledge and people skills, but often promotions are based on the job a person is doing, not whether or not they possess the skills for the new role. Remember "The Peter Principal"? Once a person is promoted the organization never demotes, they just fire their mistake.

I'm more cynical. They don't want to admit to a mistake so they promote this person into a staff position.

 

[Westernskies]

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: 10 March 2010
To: Salaried Employees
From: Human Resources
Subject: Corporate Reorganization

We realize the past few weeks have been difficult for all Megacorp team members, but we are happy to report that our corporate restructuring is now complete.
Our new Executive Vice President of Employee Affairs arrrives tomorrow:

 

[audreyh1]

Update Brewer! How has it been going?

Audrey

 

[brewer12345]

So far, so good with the new spot. Waaayyy less stress and I get to use some background expertise from a past life a LOT and which greatly benefits my new team. I still have a few legacy commitments to the old mess, but most of that is over and by next month it will be completely gone.

As for the old team, they are losing people as fast as they can find new spots elsewhere and I can think of only a few who will stay. Every time I hear about goings-on there I can feel my blood pressure rise.

I am heading off for a vacation next week, which I really need to recover from the mess that I exited. I think the transformation will be complete once I get a break.

 

[audreyh1]

Well, so glad that you are able to de-stress and have a vacation to help really de-stress!

Audrey

 

[Brat]

I was thinking about you too.

Great move all around. There will be natural consequences for the leadership of your former group.

 

[brewer12345]

Great move all around. There will be natural consequences for the leadership of your former group.

Hard to tell. The immediate bosses got put out to pasture, but it is hard to see how the spots they were moved to were any worse career wise than where they were running my team into the ground. Their superiors appear to have had no ill effects whatsoever.