Asked to MC retiring boss's party after being passed over for her role

Highly unlikely they are doing this to help her interview for the job they already gave to someone else.

Just say no,they should get the person who got the job to do it.

When you put it like that, I think say no. It’s a bit insensitive and you’re obviously feeling down and uncomfortable about it….

The MC role is just a personality job not a leadership one. Don’t put yourself through celebrating the send off of someone you wanted to replace, all while the new person is sat there. It’s not going to change anything or get you seen in a new light. CEOs don’t host, they give speeches and presentations.

I’d only MC for this event if I thought it would ensure my retiring boss would definitely write an amazing reference for a new job with a new employer. If it’s not going to make a difference dont do it - CF’s! Your only way now is out (and make sure it’s a much better role). I faced something similar at your age and it was onwards and upwards from then on! Don’t get mad get out!

Respectfully, that’s the kind of ‘Ah, play nice’ thinking that gets women overlooked in the workplace. Of course the OP likes her boss. She can take her for lunch and explain exactly why she won’t be mcing the retirement do, for perfectly good reasons. The former boss is leaving. The OP is staying on. It’s considerably more important she not establish herself as someone who can be passed over for promotion and still asked to plaster on a smile and do organisational gruntwork. The ex-boss, if she has average workplace instincts, will get it.

Do you like your soon to be ex-boss? It's for her not the company.

Their loss not choosing you. MC for your friend and shine, hold your head up, talk about the organisation and how important it is for all to grab their opportunities, enjoy what next and smile. You know your worth, never undersell yourself or be used. Let's see if the board made the right choice. I got offered a role, a year secondment, in a museum, then they decided to employ a friend, when it was my research and expertise that had led to the role being created. They told me this around the meeting table, introduced the new chap and said could I send everything to him, eh nope, no contract signed yet and work done in my own time, so I went back to my existing role. I walked out of the room and then ignored the multiple calls for the research, being told it was no longer any good to me, but I told them not there to facilitate jobs for the boys or sell my expertise for no return! Shine, smile and don't be used or abused by the incumbent.

I can't help feeling I've become less valued since not getting the role.

Op, this is the wrong way around. You didn't get the job because they didn't value you enough. I was reading something recently about how this goes in organisations that are no longer a good fit for you. You work extra and go above and beyond without anyone noticing because the environment itself is wrong - not you. Your demotivation reflects where you're probably at on your burnout ladder - one step away. It will only get worse. When you feel like this, it's time to move on. I know because I've been there - only I reached burnout before I realised.

Personally, I'd be saying that you feel it would be more appropriate for someone else to lead the event. No excuses, just that. The boss's boss usually does this sort of thing, you wish your boss well and would like to attend (if you do) but you don't believe it's appropriate that you're MC.

And then get busy finding a job somewhere else, an environment that suits and nourishes you, and people who value the skills and experience you bring.

Good luck.

Also when new CEO starts don’t help train them for their new role. If you aren’t good enough to do the role you’re obviously not good enough to show them how to do it.

I'd do this event to give your Boss the best retirement send off ,
Then reign it in and do F*All after this .

They think they can call on your organisational skills in future
No,except in your contracted duties .

I would MC the event . Afterwards I would just do no more or less than I was paid for . If the new hire asked you how to do stuff then you say I’m not sure and I don’t want to show you how to do something and for you to get into trouble if it’s not right . Don’t train this new hire . Time to slowly take your foot off the gas .

I was going to say no until i read this , part of me says yes show em what they're missing !! other part says fuck em and go on holiday .
Either way i think i would start looking around , sounds like they have messed up, i certainly wouldn't be going over and above for them any more .
Good luck.
I don't think you sound bitter at all, i would feel the same.

I'm petty so it would be a complete absolutely fucking not from me, I once was in the same position as you but they asked me to train the guy who got the job, this guy purely got the job because of who he knew and openly admitted it, I pretty much told them all exactly what I thought of them and then went sick until I found a new job..honestly fuck em! But as I said I am petty.

I hope you are looking for a job elsewhere!?

This and go on holiday with your Mum too. You do not have to do all the extras you used to do. Stop working late, stop offering to do the extra bits. So done else will be paid to do that so make the new person earn their money. Don't do their job for them. Look around and see if you can find something else.

If you are a CEO who isn't on top of finance, then your FD is the real CEO; it's so important. I would go and do some training and take this on the chin. I was chair of governors at a school where the deputy presumed she'd take over; she was so far behind the appointed candidate on lots of bits we couldn't possibly appoint her. A couple of years later, she is head of a school, which is a great fit for her. There are a couple of emerging CEO courses at Bayes and ACEVO, and Bayes even does an MSc in Charity Management with one path on charity finance, and you really don't need to be a finance specialist at the start, but it's very good. I'd do it, leadership can be about sucking it up at times, and it's not impossible the new CEO doesn't pass probation, and they come back to you, and if your attitude was seen to be wrong, they won't. Similarly, they may only be using it as a step and be gone in a couple of years. But do build up your understanding of charity finance if leadership is the path you want. Cipfa also offer some courses and qualifications on charity finance.

I do think part if my wants to do it to show all what they are missing??

Don’t
&
They won’t.

I would go with, I don’t think I am qualified to do that role. Why not the Xxx (the one taking her role) or a member of the board who have a better understanding of what to say.

Not a chance in hell. Stop being a doormat if you want to get promoted.

I wonder if your boss asked you to do it because she doesn’t trust the rest of them. Regardless it’s a big ask in the circumstances and I would discuss privately with her why you won’t be doing it.

Oh and doing a good job of managing an event is not going to demonstrate that OP is boss material. If anything it shows she is good at organisation and administration- virtues normally completely overlooked by senior men because it’s something women do invisibly.

I worked in a senior role for a charity for a year, it was the most toxic environment I ever encountered, far worse than financial services.

Unfortunately if you share your big vision, you will not benefit in the least. All they will do is take your good ideas and credit someone else. There is no poetic justice in business and that is why you should always be honest and trustworthy in your role but not loyal in a personal way because as we all find out at some point in our career, we are all of us replaceable. Whether or not the business makes a major mistake (which I suspect they did here) is beside the point. Boards fuck up every day.

The new hire gives them the best of both worlds OP.

Your vision and commitment- plus the new person's financial expertise. It's a win-win for them. Plus they don't have the inconvenience of replacing you.

Sorry you are experiencing this, it's crap.

Say no and book a holiday to coincide with the event...

You now know that you will never progress from your current role as the board does not see you as leadership material.

So if you want to progress in your career then you will need a new job with a different organisation.

In the meantime, stop doing any extra duties and ''going the extra mile'' in your current job.

What she said may well be the truth though. She may have advocated well for you but the board didn’t want to listen. Have they hired someone younger and new to the business by any chance? It isn’t uncommon to do this, they want a fresh pair of eyes running the place over someone who will effectively continue the current boss’s work.

I agree with this.
Don’t bother to make up an excuse.
No is a complete sentence.