Highlights
Question: I work as an engineer in a company where I used to get a good rating on my performance from my boss. However, once he left the company, the new manager asked me to report to a colleague, who competes on projects. The colleague takes all the credit earned on my assignments and gives negative feedback about me to the manager. My manager is indifferent and wants me to treat the colleague as my mentor and sort out the issue with him. The situation has caused me mental distress and has lowered my self-esteem. Ironically, I have been told to keep a good rapport with my team and peers. How should I deal with the situation?
Abhijit Bhaduri replies:
Transitions are a part of every career. You can trigger a transition when you change your employer or even the sector. Sometimes, the scenario changes for reasons beyond control. The change of a reporting relationship or even a promotion may require you to plan for the transition. When the change is not triggered by you, it is natural to feel anxious.
I believe that a transition is like a trapeze act — when a performer releases the bar and is caught by another person, the ‘catcher’, who hangs by his or her knees on another trapeze. After the first performer leaves the trapeze bar and is held by the colleague, for a brief period, the performer is in midair without any support. Transitions are like that ‘in-between moment’. They are scary, but manageable.
Your last performance rating was good. That matters a lot. The new manager has not had a chance to evaluate your performance. Your boss would be hard-pressed to explain why the performance of an employee who has done well in the past drops because the manager has changed. That would reflect poorly on the new manager’s skills and capability. Your new manager would be equally keen to see you doing well.
The green-eyed monster called jealousy — the real issue seems to be something else. I sense some frustration at having to report to an erstwhile colleague. It is but natural. You may have experienced a similar scenario when you have had to manage someone who was once your peer. The organisation is shaped like a pyramid. People’s careers move at different paces. While driving, two lanes sometimes merge into one. Vehicles have to take turns to form a single file. If two drivers try to get into the single lane simultaneously, it would end badly for both.
We accept not getting the same marks as our classmates in school or college. But at work, we expect that we will always be chosen ahead of our peers. Your career will not be judged by the progress that a colleague makes. Your skills and competencies will create opportunities for you and no one can take that away. I am sure your colleagues are watching how you are handling the relationship with your colleague. Handling it with grace will make you stand tall in the eyes of others. Don’t walk away from this opportunity to learn a vital life lesson.
Walk up to your new manager and congratulate him or her. Then state that you did experience disappointment at not being chosen instead. But you are committed to building a strong team where both of you succeed. Your colleague will be pleasantly surprised and will go the extra mile to respond to your graciousness.
Who knows, one day you will get a promotion ahead of your peers. When you notice someone feeling disappointed and disengaged, you know just what to do. Have a candid conversation. Acknowledge the disappointment and address it together. This will be one of the most powerful relationships you can build..
(Abhijit Bhaduri is a digital transformation coach who advises organisations on the Future of Works)
Talk to us:
Are you dealing with a tough boss? Are your colleagues being mean to you? Is your workplace culture hindering your growth? Is there anything that’s bothering you at work, which you’re wary of discussing internally? Talk to us. Our panel of experts will assist you in resolving your workplace related matters. ‘AdWise’ will appear every Thursday to help you with your workplace matters. Write to us at adwise@timesgroup.com
Abhijit Bhaduri replies:
Transitions are a part of every career. You can trigger a transition when you change your employer or even the sector. Sometimes, the scenario changes for reasons beyond control. The change of a reporting relationship or even a promotion may require you to plan for the transition. When the change is not triggered by you, it is natural to feel anxious.
I believe that a transition is like a trapeze act — when a performer releases the bar and is caught by another person, the ‘catcher’, who hangs by his or her knees on another trapeze. After the first performer leaves the trapeze bar and is held by the colleague, for a brief period, the performer is in midair without any support. Transitions are like that ‘in-between moment’. They are scary, but manageable.
Your last performance rating was good. That matters a lot. The new manager has not had a chance to evaluate your performance. Your boss would be hard-pressed to explain why the performance of an employee who has done well in the past drops because the manager has changed. That would reflect poorly on the new manager’s skills and capability. Your new manager would be equally keen to see you doing well.
The green-eyed monster called jealousy — the real issue seems to be something else. I sense some frustration at having to report to an erstwhile colleague. It is but natural. You may have experienced a similar scenario when you have had to manage someone who was once your peer. The organisation is shaped like a pyramid. People’s careers move at different paces. While driving, two lanes sometimes merge into one. Vehicles have to take turns to form a single file. If two drivers try to get into the single lane simultaneously, it would end badly for both.
We accept not getting the same marks as our classmates in school or college. But at work, we expect that we will always be chosen ahead of our peers. Your career will not be judged by the progress that a colleague makes. Your skills and competencies will create opportunities for you and no one can take that away. I am sure your colleagues are watching how you are handling the relationship with your colleague. Handling it with grace will make you stand tall in the eyes of others. Don’t walk away from this opportunity to learn a vital life lesson.
Walk up to your new manager and congratulate him or her. Then state that you did experience disappointment at not being chosen instead. But you are committed to building a strong team where both of you succeed. Your colleague will be pleasantly surprised and will go the extra mile to respond to your graciousness.
Who knows, one day you will get a promotion ahead of your peers. When you notice someone feeling disappointed and disengaged, you know just what to do. Have a candid conversation. Acknowledge the disappointment and address it together. This will be one of the most powerful relationships you can build..
(Abhijit Bhaduri is a digital transformation coach who advises organisations on the Future of Works)
Talk to us:
Are you dealing with a tough boss? Are your colleagues being mean to you? Is your workplace culture hindering your growth? Is there anything that’s bothering you at work, which you’re wary of discussing internally? Talk to us. Our panel of experts will assist you in resolving your workplace related matters. ‘AdWise’ will appear every Thursday to help you with your workplace matters. Write to us at adwise@timesgroup.com
Download The Times of India News App for Latest Business News.
more from times of india business
Business News
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Quick Links
ELSS Mutual Funds BenefitsIncome Tax Refund statusWhat is AssochamITR Filing Last DateHome Loan EMI TipsHome Loan Repayment TipsPradhan Mantri Awas YojanaTop UP Loan FeaturesIncrease Home Loan EligibilityHome Loan on PFTax Saving Fixed DepositLink Aadhaar with ITRAtal Pension YojanaNita AmbaniIndian EconomyRBIAadhaar CardSBIReliance CommunicationsMukesh AmbaniIndian Bank Ifsc codeIDBI Ifsc codeIndusind ifsc codeYes Bank Ifsc CodeVijay Bank Ifsc codeSyndicate bank Ifsc CodePNB Ifsc codeOBC Ifsc codeKarur vysya bank ifscIOB Ifsc codeICICI Ifsc codeHDFC Bank ifsc codeCanara Bank Ifsc codeBank of baroda ifscBank of America IFSC CodeBOM IFSC CodeAndhra Bank IFSC CodeAxis Bank Ifsc CodeSBI IFSC CodeGST
Get the app