A reader from suburban New York City writes…
Several years ago I landed a job with a great company making a very good salary. I was one if the initial employees in this new start -up department. Over one-and-a-half years our department added ten more people. My territory was quite large as well as filling in for vactioning/out on leave employees in that new department. When it came time for ‘senior’ to be added to my title I was overlooked in favor of a person with less time in the department & co., much less territory & case load. I let it go. I had been mentally & emotionally jumping through hoops to please this boss & accelerated this behavior assuring myself next time you will definitely get the raise.
Well, it didn’t work. Same results. That did it! I refused to sign the evaluation & requested a mtg with the boss from her assistant. I did hear a ‘gasp’ come out of her and she remarked, annoyed; “It will take weeks before you get an appointment.” “So be it,” I said .
What a sense of freedom came over me to have finally spoken up. Nothing I could do would have ever made the grade with her and calling her, this BULLY,(as she was to a couple of other people in our department) on the carpet I figured my days were numbered. I no longer asked ‘how high’ when she said ‘jump’. We had our meeting within days and and 2 mos later she stated she was resigning. This woman had a fabulous paying job, why would she jeapordize it by acting like an idiot? No managerial skills, highly insecure. I just didn’t get it !
About a year later several ‘reps’ approached me to say she had been asked to leave, had lied to them & took credit for many of their ideas. I did not offer any comment to these remarks but was actually surprised. As it turned out when we relocated to a new office, her former boss provided me with an ‘office with a window’ (we only had desks). Believe it or not I think about this woman from time to time & think how foolish she behaved & feel somewhat sorry for her. I hope she learned her lesson. And still today I don’t fully understand these kind of people & the reason for their behavior.
Oh yes, shortly thereafter I did receive my title of ‘senior’ which included a healthy raise.
What do you think? Why do bosses sometimes promote seemingly less qualified people while ignoring the potential superstars?