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Original poster

Not up to new high powered job

11 replies

Shoelacesundone · 22/04/2023 09:31

Every day I think I'll be sacked. I've been in role a month.

I've been good in previous, similar roles but prior to me starting there was a huge drop in sales. I'm expected to turn that round instantly when the issues are years and months of low activity, no investment and bad decisions.

The pressure is such that I worked 80 hours last week. I feel dreadful...no time to eat, exercise, clean...

I don't want to leave as for various reasons have done a series of short roles (never sacked just contract work).

How can I handle the pressure better?

OP posts:

AinmÁlainn · 22/04/2023 09:55

Can you arrange a review with your boss setting out what you think of the role, realistic 2,4,8 week goals now you know the position better?

Original poster

Shoelacesundone · 22/04/2023 10:02

Thanks. I think I've been too focused on strategic stuff and need to pull some quick wins.

Another problem is my boss really rates me but HIS boss hates me.

I've far exceeded my own boss' requirements but he and his boss have a bad relationship and in fact I think my boss will be for the chop.

I have VERY limited opportunities to speak to the BIG boss and I think I'm just realising that instead of trying to use my own analysis to prioritise, or my boss' I need to keep the big boss happy if this hourly fear of being sacked is going to go.

I think I'll use your idea of the reviews but align them to sales data rather than the metrics we were using.

OP posts:

AinmÁlainn · 22/04/2023 10:07

Yeah, that clash between the higher ups sounds very stressful. I know I'd be second guessing what I thought and did in light of it, but realistically all you can do is your job in the best way you can. Good luck!

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Stupidpeoplesuck · 22/04/2023 10:41

Not so much advice, but just remember that these circumstances seem extreme, and if a senior manager dislikes you, it’s not really related to you or your ability. Office politics can be horrendous!

Even if you do end up leaving this job, remember how competent you are, why you got this job in the first place, and don’t let this knock your confidence.

Whataretheodds · 22/04/2023 10:48

Have you played back your assessment of the SWOT of the department based on your findings so far, and your plans for the next couple of months? To your boss's boss as well as your boss? You have a window of time to articulate the systemic issues that predate you.
Have you identified any quick wins?

Whataretheodds · 22/04/2023 10:49

Ps, if they sack you in the first 3 months it looks like they fucked up in hiring you.

Original poster

Shoelacesundone · 22/04/2023 11:16

@Stupidpeoplesuck thanks. I feel my confidence is draining away but your words are helpful. Ultimately I think big boss dislikes my boss so I'm being seen as "another bad decision". Politically I need to be seen as a separate entity from my boss (who I do like).

I have got some quick wins. Though big boss idea of quick is a day. Whereas my idea of quick is 3-4 weeks. I have a meeting with him next week so need to use that opportunity to showcase these ideas and my sense of urgency.

@Whataretheodds my two predecessors were both sacked in under a month...so they have form....

Feel a bit calmer today. Need to get on top of my stress and anxiety and focus on a few, quick, big ideas.

Thanks for support.

OP posts:

ChateauMargaux · 22/04/2023 11:16

In the first month you cannot nail anything strategic or even pull off any big wins. You also cannot fix a dysfunctional relationship between other people.

Get the basics done, delegate and review where you can. Work out why your predecessor left. 80 hours per week is the work of 2 people ir at least 1.5.. work out where that extra work should be done or where it can be cut.

If everything is a priority and there are no additional resources then this is an unwillable race and you have to decide how to run it.

Original poster

Shoelacesundone · 22/04/2023 11:35

Thank you @ChateauMargaux there's a lot there to think about...

Fundamentally I can't meet expectations that are unrealistic and that no previous post holder ever met.

I can do my best. And that doesn't come from 80 hour weeks. I need to but more structure in and prioritise with team more rigorously.

OP posts:

ChateauMargaux · 22/04/2023 12:00

Just read that the two people previously in this job were sacked in less than a month.. you have lasted longer them which sounds like a big win.

You know if you leave or are sacked that it is down to the organisation and not down to you. Remind yourself that on a daily basis!! Walk around with the knowledge that if they sack you as well, then they will be in a worse position than without you.

Everything you achieve, not matter how small, is more than they can achieve if they sack you and have to hire someone else. Their expectations are unreasonable and not possible to meet, so set your own and achieve those.

Take time to breath, reduce your adrenaline levels, put your armour on before meetings, set out what you want to communicate beforehand, follow up with realistic actions afterwards, with timelines, if things shift, communicate the impact on previously agreed actions.

Nounoufgs · 22/04/2023 12:06

Organise.
create spreadsheets. Where things were, where they should be.
As you say implement any quick wins.
Look at where things were before it went wrong. I would be trying to win back previous contracts but I don’t know what industry you are in.
Show no weakness, keep your game face on.
Visualise problems being resolved, then actualise.

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