PA and Secretary Community - Deskdemon.com

There is a real good article on being set up to fail by a manager.  I found it interesting.  It is at

http://www.joanlloyd.com/articles/open.asp?art=1111.htm

chevygirl55

I almost thought that this was from me, except some of the details were not quite right.  But the overall message is the same - I feel that my manager is out to get me.  Luckily, she's lightened up a bit for now, but I know it's only a temporary reprieve and probably only while she attempts to gain more ammunition for the next battle.  In the meantime, I'm keeping my eyes open for any position that may provide me a challenge and change of scenery from this office.  Sometimes there just isn't a whole lot that we can do in these situations except do out best, stay professional, and work on gettting out.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

That was very interesting. In some ways, it sounds like what happened to me in my last position (and yes, I got that "not a good fit" speech!) I did not feel like my manager was setting me up to fail, per se, but the high expectations of the company, especially the CEO, made it difficult to succeed. They assigned me to figure out complex computer software problems for which I had little or no training, and for which the IT guy (who himself was juggling responsibilities of IT support and survey management for the entire company) had no solutions. These responsibilities fell to the admin/word processor because there was noone else around to do it. I didn't mind the challenge; I just wished I had a little more help with it.  

I was also providing word processing support for the entire company of about 40 engineers & surveyors, and maintain a high level of accuracy (although that wasn't quantified). It wasn't overwhelming most of the time. In fact, some days there was too much to do but some days there wasn't enough--and at those times I was of course expected to keep busy or else look busy or they might think they didn't need me. (That's one thing that bugs me--in a company where they know the workload fluctuates, they're worried about getting rid of you if you have a slow day here and there!) But on days where it really was crazy, or I was juggling my usual duties plus filling in for the receptionist or other admin, yes, it got pretty stressful. The constant threats of them letting me go didn't help my confidence any, either.

Anyway, bottom line was that yes, it was a poor fit--for ME. As Joan put it, to "find a better place to work, where a talented administrative assistant is truly valued for the valuable asset they are" is my goal, or perhaps even move on to a different career path altogether.

That sounds like my experience before finding this position.  I knew within the first month it was a "bad fit" and pretty much struggled through the next five months living a nightmare every day.  I was pulled into my supervisors office more times than I can count.  She wrote me up for every little thing I did and wouldn't accept responsibility when she made the very same mistakes or worse.  It was such a blow to my self esteem.  I am still amazed that I let her beat me down like that, I usually have a very health sense of self worth and confidence.  She beat me at every turn.  When finally given the option of resigning or being fired, I resigned.  That was two years ago May 22nd, yes the day still sticks in my head.

I took the summer off, hung out with my nieces & nephews while kind of looking for a job.  In September of 2003 I started my job search in earnest thinking I would have no problem finding a position that would fit my skill level and needs.  Boy was I wrong!  It took me until April of 2004 to find and accept a full time position with a company that I liked and thought I would be happy with.  

Today is my one year anniversary with my current employers and I know every day that I am blessed.  I work for a company that values it's employees not matter which position they hold.  I work in a department that is diverse and enriching not to mention  filled with a great bunch of people.  I support the CIO who likes me, respects me, and who is helping me grow professionally.  Her direct report management, who I also support, treat me the same way she does.  

I am happy that nightmare is behind me found a place I can see myself staying and growing with for a long time..  Although I still cringe when one of my supervisors say they need to "speak" to me or say "when you have a moment" .  I attribute that kind of response to a mild case of post traumatic stress!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekends!

jak

ALWAYS keep a diary if you notice any controlling behaviour patterns.  A diary is not really proof that something happened, but it is better than nothing.  Secondly, if you have a control freak as a manager, then keep all the evidence you can - even notes written on a post-it note or a scrap of paper can be your "get out of jail" cards!  

I've worked for a couple of nightmare managers, but my worst was my last boss who, mercifully, only stayed with us for six months.  The trouble is, in my experience, that some managers just can't "manage".  

Raindance