Irritating new manager

[ellie09]

Ive been in my job now for 2 years.

I started during a period where I had no manager, and had to learn the job and take the lead on my own (as a junior).

In general, the structure of the business was a bit of a mess and goal posts always changing.

5 months or so ago, we got a new head of department and had a return of my now direct manager from a long sabbatical period. I was longing for a bit more structure and guidance and also support, so I welcomed this. However, its quickly turning into a nightmare.

Our Head of Department is incredibly overbearing. During meetings, he will talk over people, take the lead on your agenda points, and then call you afterwards to ask why you didn't discuss them.

He has 121s scheduled with me where he "quizzes" me on various topics that he picks for that week.

I enjoy learning like any other person, but when these things can basically be google searched in 2 minutes, I dont really see much point in them, in the grand scheme of things.

When my direct manager came back, we were supposed to be "splitting" our clients, to lessen the workload. I have 80% of the clients assigned to me, and the list of tasks etc and information I need to retain is becoming next to impossible to achieve.

I have started looking for other jobs, as everyday I am becoming less and less motivated to actually work.

AIBU that my drive is actually diminished rather than ramping up and "proving my worth"?

During meetings, he will talk over people, take the lead on your agenda points, and then call you afterwards to ask why you didn't discuss them.

That's an easy one. Presumably your answer was "because you interrupted me and then didn't let me speak"?

As for the rest, weekly / monthly meetings should be as much for you to provide feedback up as it is to receive feedback. Tell them.

There are ways to do this without sounding obtuse. I would frame it that the workload still appears to be unbalanced, can we have a review session. Go into this with a view of your expectation, and solid reasons why the current distribution is unworkable, and a proposal for a different distribution.

We had a great meeting where my female colleague raised her volume and continued talking when a man tried to talk over her. It was really obvious and I so admired her persistence. She didn't even say, "can you let me finish?" but just outdid him. It was fantastic.
Channel Charlie (the colleague) is what I say.

Could you raise your concerns in your next 1:1?

My 121 is with said manager and not my direct manager

Whoever they're with, they're a joint process and an opportunity to discuss your wellbeing and professional development. If you don't raise concerns about his behaviour and your workload either with him or your direct manager, they won't know that you're unhappy.