Just don't know what to do - problem boss

jetplane

It takes confidence to employ the best people and understand that they can lift you rather than squash you.

When I left my other role I was given a home made card which reads ' A bad manager can take a good team and destroy it, causing the best staff to flee and the remainder to loose all motivation'

It's on my wall at work :-)

VfM4meplse

amistupid wrote: »

You decided to leave a managerial role, perhaps you're still thinking too much like a manager?

I'm surprised by the nativity of your comment Adey, you can't undo the maturity of thought that comes with experience!

If the OP's manager chooses to ignore the added value brought to the role at no extra cost then it is the business that suffers. Being an effective people manager is a real skill that most don't have, and a few are lucky enough to develop.

[Deleted User]

You're probably right, I can see so many areas that need sorting and it could all be so much better and yes if I was trouble shooting I'd get it whipped into shape in no time however that's not the issue for me , it's the fact I'm not included at all in new tasks or discussions .I feel I'm doing everything they ask results wise but get nothing in return, no interest no involvement at all. It's like he can't interact with anyone with a history and has surrounded himself by real first job youngsters or youngsters from dead beat previous jobs with no expectations and who think any job they're not shouted at is great .

jetplane

I think amistupid has a good point, if you've spent a long career as a manager you don't stop thinking like one. Particularly if you feel you could do it better or were passed over for the post. Like I said earlier I don't know how well I would adjust if I stepped down in my role.

OP remember you didn't want a managerial role or the responsibility that comes with it. So you could have ended up with something else you didn't want. However maybe that's where your true role lies and you may need to move on after all. :think:

fairy_lights

I wonder if the ways in which you feel like you've been supportive to him may have come across as patronising and rubbed him up the wrong way? I'm not suggesting you intended to be that way but that could be how he perceives things.

ognum

OP, this may not apply to you but often does to older managers. There are many ways to manage a situation, a company and staff. Your new manager may have chosen a different way to do it and can feel that you think his way is wrong.

You have decided to step back so just do that and let your manager do his/her job the way he has chosen.

He is aware that you have stepped back this may be why you have not been picked for a particular job or maybe your work style differs with his.

maybe you should have decided to work in a different area from previously. I think you should step back and observe.

justme111

So he does not want your input and it makes you uncomfortable as you want to give that input.. After stepping down you were upset you were not promoted again ..

Raggie

OP some people just don't want to be helped..


When I was a young manager I was very lucky that the second person I ever recruited was a person similar to yourself.. they were a couple of years off retirement, had been around the world.. seen and done things that I could only dream of.. (at that stage)..




But the job I offered them was a large step down in their skill set.. but it was near to their home.. part time.. and fitted with their plans..


I spent the next two years with a member of staff (who reported to me).. guiding me .. helping me.. and giving me the skills I still use every day.. but it took me some time to realise that support was being offered.. and a bit longer for me to accept it.. but once I did. .what a team we made..

This was hard as a young man to do.. taking advice from a woman old enough to be my gran.. but she knew what she was doing.. and wanted to teach those management skills onto someone..

I say this as your "manger" may be fearful of your knowledge.. (I was).. as he probably knows he will make mistakes.. and you will see them.. (I did).. but being offered support is not as difficult as accepting support..

Don't give up on him.. and don't let those skills you have scare him off.. show him your there to support not to take his job..


Just my 2ps worth...


Rags

[Deleted User]

Thanks that Is very true it is easier to offer than accept for some people, I was always like sponge wanting to learn from wherever it came from . I will try and ignore things , at the end of the day it won't be my head on the chopping block if things go belly up.

BarryBlue

The OP said they wanted a job with no line responsibility and that seems to be what they have. Why worry about it all? Just turn up every day, do the job, then go home and don't worry about anything. That was surely the deal they wanted.

It is often the case that promotion within an organisation isn't worth the extra responsibility for a small extra remuneration. This is particularly true in the formality of public sector where many people realise that another grade will just not be worth the extra hassle. For this reason many capable people "stick" and the ones that get promoted are often not up to it. My wife has been asked many times to apply for more senior management positions but simply won't do it.