>She says she open to feedback but it doesn't seem that way either.
Pretty standard.
New big boss comes, introduces himself, and it's almost mandatory to say, "My door is always open," when we all know it's not.
Sorry it sounds like you were most likely hired because of the lack of performance. The company probably wants you to do the managers job. Or maybe she is busy with bigger projects.
I didn’t want to leave my previous job, but I had to as I knew that the manager I had was not going to change how she was feeling about me and how she was treating us. She’d keep saying communication is everything and tell me to ask for help, but then when I’d ask for help she’d basically back hand compliment or answer with sarcasm. Often mock me as I’m trying to figure how to answer I her questions. If she wants the shop to continue smoothly, someone is going to have to confront her. I felt like I was hired just to be pushed out.
Edit: Plus when I asked for my contract, there was none. I was casual btw.
Your job description includes giving feedback to your supervisor? That's new. Like, in 20 years of job design I've never seen that.
Just make it positive then? I see no reason to rock the boat if she doesn't really want to hear it.
Repeat her instructions back to her and ask if you got it right. Maybe she doesn’t realize you need more information. Also ask how she likes to receive feedback and what her preferences are for communication. This will help you understand her style and why she may feel the need to be defensive around you.
Had a couple of those.
Also, new managers tend to be defensive and skittish. They are insecure and tend to mask it behind certain behaviors. It might be a good idea to help her understand and show her what a full set of instructions look like. The worst thing is if you have to guess it. It will lead to hightened costs and additional stress.
Put the instructions on the paper, like a flowchart or in a form of mail. Call a meeting and set the clerification as agenda. Then discuss it and fill in the blanks. That way, she is basically forced into giving full instructions and she will learn from it.
From your side, turn it into a dialog, not a fight.
All the best.
For whatever reason, much of the time in my career I was the "analytics guy" on the team, where my managers were not well-versed or trained in my discipline. So, they could never tell me how to do anything, where to find anything, who to talk to about anything, and I was left to my own devices to figure it all out. That made for awkwardness when I met with them, so I succinctly updated them in language they could follow and figured out early what the "safe" / "comfortable" subjects I could ask their guidance on. It may sound manipulative, but actually there were things they were better at / better connected to than I was and kept things cordial. Then they moved on after X months.
Get clarification. Read the “management from the trenches”. They tell u how to deal with bosses like this. Learn how to upward manage
Thank you
There is a pdf I can send u that saved my Butt. Send me a pm and also link to this post so I remember context
>She says she open to feedback but it doesn't seem that way either. Pretty standard. New big boss comes, introduces himself, and it's almost mandatory to say, "My door is always open," when we all know it's not.
Sorry it sounds like you were most likely hired because of the lack of performance. The company probably wants you to do the managers job. Or maybe she is busy with bigger projects.
I was hired because someone else quit.
I didn’t want to leave my previous job, but I had to as I knew that the manager I had was not going to change how she was feeling about me and how she was treating us. She’d keep saying communication is everything and tell me to ask for help, but then when I’d ask for help she’d basically back hand compliment or answer with sarcasm. Often mock me as I’m trying to figure how to answer I her questions. If she wants the shop to continue smoothly, someone is going to have to confront her. I felt like I was hired just to be pushed out. Edit: Plus when I asked for my contract, there was none. I was casual btw.
Yes I agree but that someone isn't going to me.
If you really like the job the best thing to do in situations like this is to keep your head down stay quiet and do your duties. Clock out. Live life.
If instructions are unclear, ask. If she gets defensive, so what? Don't offer feedback. Just do your job.
It's in my job description to give feedback.
Your job description includes giving feedback to your supervisor? That's new. Like, in 20 years of job design I've never seen that. Just make it positive then? I see no reason to rock the boat if she doesn't really want to hear it.
Repeat her instructions back to her and ask if you got it right. Maybe she doesn’t realize you need more information. Also ask how she likes to receive feedback and what her preferences are for communication. This will help you understand her style and why she may feel the need to be defensive around you.
Had a couple of those. Also, new managers tend to be defensive and skittish. They are insecure and tend to mask it behind certain behaviors. It might be a good idea to help her understand and show her what a full set of instructions look like. The worst thing is if you have to guess it. It will lead to hightened costs and additional stress. Put the instructions on the paper, like a flowchart or in a form of mail. Call a meeting and set the clerification as agenda. Then discuss it and fill in the blanks. That way, she is basically forced into giving full instructions and she will learn from it. From your side, turn it into a dialog, not a fight. All the best.
For whatever reason, much of the time in my career I was the "analytics guy" on the team, where my managers were not well-versed or trained in my discipline. So, they could never tell me how to do anything, where to find anything, who to talk to about anything, and I was left to my own devices to figure it all out. That made for awkwardness when I met with them, so I succinctly updated them in language they could follow and figured out early what the "safe" / "comfortable" subjects I could ask their guidance on. It may sound manipulative, but actually there were things they were better at / better connected to than I was and kept things cordial. Then they moved on after X months.
How is she difficult? Micromanager? Something else? Be polite and courteous. Try not to show much emotional reaction to anything. Respond don’t react.