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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hate being a line manager?

28 replies

Ezlo · 22/11/2024 18:12

I line manage a few people. I'm still fairly new to line managing and one of my direct reports is great and enthusiastic, but her enthusiasm has had me telling her she can't do things a few times now. I think she goes head in without thinking about it properly sometimes and as we don't work in the same location, I can't always keep an eye on what she's doing and she doesn't run everything past me. It's now causing issues because it's causing me more work to have to pick things up when she has been over enthusiastic and the consequences haven't been considered. I guess this is just a rant.

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 22/11/2024 18:29

YANBU to dislike being a line manager,But it's very difficult to progress without being one. I know one person who avoided it, but technically she was of such high quality that the company were prepared to go to great lengths not to lose her. Not many people can pull that one off.

What's nice about being a line manager is a) you can get so much more done if you have staff to share the work b) guiding people and seeing them take to their wings and fly.

Teateaandmoretea · 22/11/2024 18:24

You need to identify what she needs to develop and discuss with her. I don’t think all your direct reports running everything past you is what you want either. But they need to be able to judge when it’s appropriate to do so.

SleepToad · 22/11/2024 18:21

You've forgotten the important word...manager...you manage her. So you nicely, but firmly take her to one side and tell her to stop. That she's doing a good job, but she needs to run things through you. If she doesn't you involve hr. You are not her friend. You are her boss.

Yes it can be a pain but sometimes you need to be firm and even heartless