Workplace jealousy.

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Has anyone experienced workplace jealousy? I've always admired my direct manager because of their extensive knowledge of the role & they way they observe/react & get the job done with great skill. For 4yrs now I've worked extremely diligently, keeping my head down, watching, learning, studying, accepting correction/advice & always striving to do a good job. I am very well liked & I get lovely compliments for the work I do. It's recently been commented that my skills & knowledge are the best in my department by a long way (manager excluded). Over a coffee break I happened to mention to this the manager that I'm really loving what I do and that I've decided I'm really going to put everything into making this my career & lifting up a level. (to do the same as them). I thought they'd be pleased. Their whole body language said it all 'No'. I got the distinct impression they aren't happy with this at all - that they don't want the competition. It was pointed out to me that I'd needs '4 or 5yrs more training' - kind of like a brush off. I got the distinct feeling of them saying 'this is my niche & you can keep off'. My rising up would be a sideways move, I wouldn't be toppling their position. I feel a bit dismayed. It would have been nice to have their encouragement. It was all handled politely, so I have no immediate problems working but I now know my manager relates to me differently & that's sad. Anyone else had a similar experience?

It's hard to say without having been there, but it sounds a rather negative response. I would expect a manager to offer constructive advice and encouragement to someone wanting to progress. If it's true that you need a further 4 - 5 years' training (again hard to comment without knowing your industry) , I'd expect your manager to discuss tasks you could take on to stretch you in the meantime.

The thing about an extra 4-5yrs is not relevant really as our work requires continuous ongoing training to keep abreast of the latest advances.

Was it the delivery that was the problem more than the content maybe? She just might not have expressed very well that to get in that position you need a bit more experience.

I have a colleague who is brilliant at her job, she wants to progress but she doesn’t really do anything beyond her job role to get her that progression, however, she takes her length of service and all of the compliments she gets as a shoe in for a promotion.

In the nicest possible way, a few of us (who have progressed and taken management advice) have told her that she needs to spread her wings a little to get to where she wants to be. She has ignored this advice and continues to apply for senior positions and continues to get knocked back. Each time she takes it a little harder than the last and comes out again with how many rewards she won (she asks for) and how complimentary her colleagues are,but fails to get feedback from her applications. She also fails to see that to progress you need to expand your skills, outwith your job role. Just because you’re brilliant at the position you are in, doesn’t mean you’d make a good senior grade.

Maybe your manager was trying to give you some similar advice, albeit haphazardly? Don’t let it knock your confidence though, keep doing what you’re doing.

Yep my DH experienced it. He way made redundant and appealed and won as he was seen as competition to his then boss. He then took a side step and instead of being a regional department manager has ended up with Northern Europe. His previous manager left because he wasn’t climbing the tree.

I'd take this as "information".
They may be right, they may well be trying to keep you in your place.

If your manager has any say in your progression be wary as from the sound of it they may be looking to maintain the status quo (i.e. hold you back). You sound like you've pretty much outgrown your current position, but depending on requirements maybe not.

Easiest way to find out is to look at the job spec for their role and set objectives based on that job with a view to seeking promotion next year.

I’m a manger myself and think this is appalling. A good manager pulls people up with them along the way and does put them down. I fully expect to either be managed by someone in my direct team in the future or at least someone like them (younger than me) because that’s a realistic possibility when people claim up the ladder. Anyway, sorry this has happened to you. Maybe time to use everything you have learnt in the past few years and look elsewhere.

So many possibilities:

1. they want you doing what you are doing now and don't want to have to replace you
2. they think you want to take their jobs
3. they don't think you are capable of moving up

Jealousy is not what I would be thinking. This is fairly typical although and in a perfect world they would support you wanting more. Reality is different. How is your changing jobs going to make more work for your manager?