Carrot 13

[Pulpeng]

I like my workplace - I love the pay and benefits etc.

I took (and still taking) the initiative to improve myself (on my own dime I might add) and it looked like it would pay off. I was promised a new position for months. All the while I was getting kudo's from my boss and the CEO etc about my work performance and the skills I had learned. When it came time to appoint someone the job I wanted - it went to another person with no experience or skillset required. I'm sure he'll flounder through it and come out okay. I've even offerred to help him make his way through "for the good of the company". I'm trying to be good about it but I'm seething inside.

Any suggestions on how to quell the disappointment? Or to bounce back to keep trying to perform and get the next oppurtunity.

 

[moltenmetal]

It has been correctly stated above that sometimes, when you help the wrong person, their failures magically become your fault!

If your management asks you to help the new hire, you should- making it politely obvious just how much help he needs and how much of your time it's taking to provide it.

You should NOT volunteer to do this work out of a desire to be a team player. Stick to your own job and do it exceptionally well, because that's what you've been hired to do.

How should you respond to requests for help from the new guy himself? I'd tell him in the nicest way possible that I was busy doing work for my own boss, and that he'd have to ask my boss's permission first before obtaining any help from me- each time he needs it. That's not being obstinate and unhelpful, that's merely putting your boss in the position of determing his priorities for your work- which by definition is your boss's job.

It sounds like you actually like the job and the work and the employer, and you seem to have a positive attitude toward the situation. You seem to be handling your disappointment very well. Keep up the good work- but don't fail to gently remind your boss that you were (foolishly) promised a position- a promise he couldn't deliver on. That should be work some guilt-dollars over the next few pay increases at least. If you start to mope around and hope this will be noticed and dealt with positively to your benefit, think again. You need to initiate dialogue and you need to take responsibility for your own job satisfaction. You can rely on nobody else to be as diligent about ensuring your needs are met than you will be yourself.

 

[frv]

I think moltenmetal has provided you with sound advice.

 

[ajack1]

That is an excellent post from GregTirevold.

Look at why the other guy really got the job. Whilst there are good bad and mediocre managers and owners just as there are in every level ones that consistently make the wrong decisions either go bust or end up out of a job.

People that get on in life generally are very self critical and analysis their own faults or find ways of improving themselves, people that don’t generally just blame someone else, usually those above them.

Not all the qualities of a good employee are written on a piece of paper.

 

[weab]

I am really disappointed with some of my fellow engineers and their cynical attitude. I'm having trouble believing that some say that you should not help out a coworker. It is not his fault that you didn't get the job. In one breath, you should not help this guy and yet not burn bridges - Contradition. That is big time sour grapes, and people will notice!. You can't do his job, but showing the ropes to other coworkers is part of everyone's job description.

Perhaps I'm just lucky. I work in a great place with generally good workers and people in general. Of course, there are some people who are very good and some not as good. But generally (not absolutely), the cream rises to the top. I have found that when you do your work and act as a team player, people notice. They may not say it, but eventually there is an epiphany. Eventually, those who notice and care will get to a position of authority and you will be rewarded.

Is this worth leaving a company for? Only you can make that decision. If you really like the job and there will be other opportunities, consider staying. If this boss truly promised you this position, then get some feedback. Walk in his office, close the door, and talk about it. To me, he owes you this. You need to know if you brought this on yourself unknowingly and if you have a bright future where you are. Don't fight back, let him do the talking. Perhaps it is more of a statement about him that he offered what he has no authority to promise or backbone to fight for.

I think that you are taking the correct approach. Take at least a month or so before you make any moves so that you can evaluation your situation.

Good luck.

 

[jmw]

Weab,
Within the scope of information and context, I think the way the OP is going to commit to making this guy's job a success is risky.

If management decide the guy needs help and task him to help out, or if the guy realises he is in trouble and asks for help, then fine, go ahead and help to the extent asked, and to the extent it doesn't impact on his own job.

I think there is a big difference between being ordinarily helpful as we all are, and what is suggested here.

The guy has accepted a job he is not equipped to do. The OP suggests this could cost the company millions.
I would suggest that management will necessarily keep a very close eye on the situation to see he does cost them money and act the moment there is any risk of it, if they are any good.

He didn't have to take it and if he and management recognise his weaknesses then they will need to plan to take care of it.

Management, well actually the other boss, not the OP's own boss.

The OP says:

I have a meeting with the other boss today to identify opportunities to help make it all work.

By the "other boss" do we assume the boss who appointed the new guy?
I'd really like to know what he says and what the OP's own boss has to say about it all.

The OP's boss could be himself concerned that the other Boss has made a bad choice which gives us the further possibility that the he doesn't want the guy to succeed because it will put the other boss in bad.

So how does it help the Op to mix in with management politics?

There are too many ways to go wrong here from and initiative like this.

Making an issue of this could mean that the other boss decides he will recruit someone with the skills to support the new guy .... just so many scenarios where it all turns bad.

Help out in the ordinary way when asked, sure, if it is safe to do so.

Step 1: Talk to your own boss.
Step 2: do what he says.
There is no step 3.



JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com