Am I Being Touchy for Wanting to Leave My Job?
Hey! I got into my current job 6 months ago as regional manager. My mission was to lead a new department on the regional level. When I got into the company I knew some of the scope of my team's functions would clash with those of another team. From day one I was super open to the other team's manager, and offered to collaborate and work together. Yet, he was not that kind to me, and it was pretty obvious how he undermined me and my team at every opportunity. A few months into the job, my Director was suddenly fired, the area restructured, and me and my team were put under that other manager. Instead of fighting it, I talked to him and offered my support. For a while things went well, his team become far more amicable with mine, and we could actually start to get things done. But about a month and a half ago he called me into his office, and told me that, from then on, I would start to report to another person in the team. Someone who was under him (and beneath me, when I first got into the company), and who had been sort of my peer ever since the restructuring. This guy has far less seniority than I do, and honestly he doesn't know as much. He's a fine guy and I am glad he's getting an opportunity to expand his managing skills. But the truth is, I feel this is like a big demotion, and an undeserved one after I was so accepting of the new circumstances.
I think i made a mistake by not fighting the new circumstances more. But I honestly didn't have the energy or the will to get into a power struggle so soon into my new job. Bad call.
I'm planning to quit, but I'm not sure if this is my ego getting on the way, or if it's the right call to make. What do you guys think?
Posted Feb 24, 2020, 10:23 PM UTC · edited
Did he provide any reasons for the change? For instance, for better service delivery etc I want to make this change, etc? Also, was he promoted to director when the previous director left or is he still a manager?
It’s hard to say if you should stay or go but being there only six months if there aren’t other things keeping you there then maybe leaving is best. You are right to be upset and I would feel demoted too, but is there anything you can learn from your new manager? If I were you I would look at this .org change in the context of the company and if it will still meet my goals and cultural fit. If not then I would leave. By the way, kudos for being a pro from the beginning; you never know who you may end up working for.
Also, maybe most important. What can you learn from what happened and be better prepared if it happens again? For instance, seeing the director getting fired before it happened and the power structure shift. Could you have proactively asked for the job your new manager got? Being there only 6 months it might be impossible to see the signs or go for that promotion but it’s good to think of what you could look for next time.