Have I made the same mistake twice at work?

[TropicanaWiFi]

I am a middle manager in a large corporate. There have not been many opportunities for progression for my direct reports, despite this being a large organisation. There are a couple of ambitious people who I try to give learning experiences and exposure for when the right opportunities come along. Both of them were keen to apply for more senior roles that deep down I knew they were not good enough. I have encouraged them to apply, mainly because I wanted them to feel supported (how can I stop them anyway) and also I have seen so many bad external appointments that the business could do a lot worse than my applicants. Also, I have been promoted myself into roles I was not ready for and learnt by doing.

Both of these people didn’t get the job and handled feedback well.

But I feel like I have failed somehow - that maybe I should have told them to be more realistic? This may have annoyed them, at least we have retained good relationships when they know I support their ambition. There is genuinely nothing I could have done in terms of their on the job learning to prepare them for these roles, as they are new as a result of restructuring, we could not have planned and trained for them.

Should I have handled this differently and how?

‘Twice’ because there were two of them or you’ve done something similar in the same company or elsewhere?

‘more senior’ meaning than your role or between where they are now and your role?

So two people wanted to apply for jobs they weren't quite qualified for. You supported them to do what they wanted to do. They didn't get the job, which isn't a suprise as they're not quite qualified for them. They took it well.

Now you're bestie yourself up about it being your fault they didn't get the job?

I’d have a moment of self analysis on whether I’m the reason they wanted to move on/up. Not that people need to stay as reportees forever but whether it’s my delivery of the managers role which is the reason they wanted out.

People apply for jobs unsuccessful every single day. You encouraged them and acted supportive. What more could you be expected to do? Maybe next time they will get it?

It seems a bit strange to feel you 'owe' them a new more senior role. It's not your responsibility to further their careers.

I’m not sure I agree with other posters. I wouldn’t have encouraged them to apply. I would have worked through the Jd with them and look at the areas where they aren’t sufficiently experienced / competent and worked on those. Or if they were determined to apply then I would have said have had a conversation about it being a longshot and getting them to reflect on why and just see it as a chance/ practice so they were prepared for rejection

It’s a difficult one: if they weren’t ready but were a less bad choice than other candidates I probably would have supported their applications.

On the other hand I do tend to be quite clear with staff about the fact that going faster (in promotions) can sometimes run counter to going further. I have seen lots of people over the years who could have done with two or three more years at their current level but who got promoted early and then got stuck for a long time at the level above.

Well what does encouraging them to apply look like and what would the alternative have been?

Were you building their expectations up unrealistically to avoid a balanced conversation? Or, were you encouraging them to give it a go with their eyes open if they're not likely end up losing confidence in the long run?