Am I overreacting at this situation at work?

[Scotsgirl80tto]

Would really appreciate your thoughts as I'm going through something at work and I can't decide if I'm being over oversensitive.

A bit of background. I am the deputy head of a team (accounting). The team lead left and the role to lead the team (on an interim basis) was given to another colleague who doesn't work in the specialism of my team. Even he seemed a bit shocked to be asked and keeps on saying 'I'm not an expert in this area etc and I'm relying on you to lead operationally etc. I was a bit bemused at not being asked to lead the team (even on an interim basis) - but tried not to make too much of it and to just get on with the job.

A few weeks into this arrangement I noticed that another team member who is more junior to me (by a level or so) started to be overly critical of my work and approach, cutting me off in meetings and generally undermining me in front of other colleagues. I can see that she is trying to get closer to the new team lead to shape the team and work on strategy etc - and both seem to be (to me at least) joining forces and slowly but surely to take control. Everything I do and say seems to be 'not quite the right approach' etc

I deliver my work to a very high standard and am regarded as a high preformer. I'm highly experienced and skilled in my practice. I'm confident in my abilities - and to be honest I've never really had this situation before.

I've been reflecting on it over the past few days and I just can't understand what I've done or what's going on here. I also keep thinking that I'm overreacting .

But it still feels like something is going on here..and that I being pushed out.

Would really love to hear your thoughts.

That sounds awful, op!! It sounds like your face no longer fits. Could the team lead have left negative feedback about you? Would you consider leaving?

This is tricky to comment on. There must have been a reason he was asked to lead the team and not you. And just because these people have different opinions it doesn't mean yours is right and theirs is wrong, and vice versa.

She’s just getting in with the person that she feels is more senior and it’s possible your stock went down in her eyes when you didn’t get that position.

In terms of what you do about it? She needs to be put back in her box quickly. She wouldn’t be undermining me in meetings for any length of time without me bringing her into a meeting with a couple of examples and asking her why she thinks it’s appropriate.

Sorry. Didn’t realise this was days old. It was in Active!

It could be any number of things. Do you have a trusted colleague/mentor at work who you can have a confidential conversation with?

Really critically reflect on your abilities and performance. It could be that you are a fantastic deputy but not leadership material. Your junior colleague may be ambitious and have a lot of potential.

When you were passed over for leadership did you tell anyone that you would have liked the job? If not you might have unintentionally signalled a lack of ambition.

However, it could be sexism/agism/any number of other-isms. What is your workplace culture like? Are people generally treated fairly?

Think you need to go back to whoever decided the other guy should be interim team leader rather than you and ask for feedback on why you weren't chosen.