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Original poster

Advice on reinforcing hierarchy

31 replies

WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:01

I have a direct report who, from Day 1, has clearly been resentful of being junior to me. I can't be certain why but my best guess is, because she's very ambitious, she is resentful that someone the same age as her is two job titles above. She did NOT apply for my job and started around the same time as me, so there's no clear reason for her to feel entitled to be 'equal' to me in the hierarchy.

I thought I had figured out a way to manage her. For the last few months I've had no hint of attitude or resentment when giving her tasks. Yesterday I found out that's because she's been working on other senior managers in the department and trying to maneuver herself into a more sideways position to me, even trying to get herself a new line manager. I have spoken to those senior managers and put a stop to it.

I'm now thinking of ways to reinforce the team hierarchy - making it clear I'm in charge of the team - without outright sitting her down 1:1 and laying down the law. With her personality, that will not go well and has to be my last resort.

Any advice on how this could be done?

OP posts:
SavBlancTonight · 23/03/2023 15:12

I'm not sure I understand the problem. She's doing the work you allocate to her and doing it without complaint? But she's also trying to get herself promoted/into a better role? So unless she's trying to undermine you/get you fired, why are you so anti her?

AlisonHalligan · 23/03/2023 15:13

She's doing her work and aiming for a promotion- I don't see the issue. Hoping to be promoted to be on the same level as you is fine as long as she's working well in her current job.

Custardbanana · 23/03/2023 15:14

Why would you want to restrain someone who is trying to progress?

Reugny · 23/03/2023 15:15

Help her to move to a position that is out of your hair, and get someone else who wants to do the job for a year or two.

People outgrow jobs with inflexible criteria.

mumonthehill · 23/03/2023 15:19

Do you listen to her in your 1:1s, do you support her professional development? Your language is quite forceful so I am wondering if you have reflected on your own management style. I would discuss with her, find where the issues are and if needed support her move.

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:24

It sounds like she needs support, not managing.

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:25

Is this a case of you being proud of being a young person in your position, and you don't want anyone else your age being at your level, because it means you're no longer the special one?

Original poster
WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:39

Well I messed up that post, didn't I! She isn't trying to take on a new job role or title; she's gone to other senior managers and asked for me to be removed as her line manager. She wants to do her current job and progress but without reporting to me, the head of the team.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:40

WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:39

Well I messed up that post, didn't I! She isn't trying to take on a new job role or title; she's gone to other senior managers and asked for me to be removed as her line manager. She wants to do her current job and progress but without reporting to me, the head of the team.

What's the reasoning she's given for not wanting to report to you?

Keepitrealnomists · 23/03/2023 15:44

Why does she not want to report to you? Honestly you sound rude. Hierarchy is all BS, we are all just people juat doing different roles with different responsibilities.

XelaM · 23/03/2023 15:46

You sound like a terrible manager.

I've been made Partner at a much younger age than most and I have absolutely always helped team members that I was in charge of progress their careers. It's very poor form and a terrible management style to want to stop more junior colleagues from progressing their careers just to show that you're "in charge".

Original poster
WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:46

What's the reasoning she's given for not wanting to report to you?

That she sits nearer to them so it's easier to ask them if she has an appointment to go to during work hours or something. It can't be the real reason - it's a small office, and in any case I've never said no when she wanted to do something in work hours.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:49

WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:46

What's the reasoning she's given for not wanting to report to you?

That she sits nearer to them so it's easier to ask them if she has an appointment to go to during work hours or something. It can't be the real reason - it's a small office, and in any case I've never said no when she wanted to do something in work hours.

Then you have to have a conversation with her and ask what's going on and if there's anything you can do to improve your relationship and be more approachable.

Original poster
WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:51

I've obviously really screwed up the explanation here. I'm not trying to block a promotion, just to make a current junior understand I lead the team she's in and she can't become 'equal' to me by cutting me out.

I'll try reposting in a while and give a more accurate picture so I can get advice.

OP posts:
PuggyMum · 23/03/2023 15:52

Who's your line manager?

I would engage with them and say that you are aware x is seeking a new line manger within your department and you want to make sure there are no concerns re your management style / approach as far as they are concerned.

Say you are looking to speak to x directly to understand why they haven't approached you directly as you aren't aware of any issues and see no reason why this is necessary.

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:53

WorkIssueName · 23/03/2023 15:51

I've obviously really screwed up the explanation here. I'm not trying to block a promotion, just to make a current junior understand I lead the team she's in and she can't become 'equal' to me by cutting me out.

I'll try reposting in a while and give a more accurate picture so I can get advice.

You've got advice. She's a person. Treat her with respect. She's a valuable member of the team and you can't manage if you can't communicate.

MajorCarolDanvers · 23/03/2023 15:57

I think you need to rethink your style.

Hierarchical line management is pretty dated. I'm not surprised she's trying to get away from you.

You say she's been fine recently and us doing her work. So what's your problem?

I also think it's poor behaviour on your part to try to prevent her from being ambitious and seeking to move on.

You are the problem here.

sadieshavingashindig · 23/03/2023 15:58

trying to maneuver herself into a more sideways position to me, even trying to get herself a new line manager. I have spoken to those senior managers and put a stop to it.

Your language and the way your presenting yourself, and also the fact she wants a different line manager, is suggestive of you being the problem, not her.

SavBlancTonight · 23/03/2023 19:13

It's pretty obvious she thinks you're incompetent. Whether or not that's fair, it's impossible to say, albeit you come across not brilliantly here. But I've seen junior staff do this sort of thing before - a colleague had it very much with someone she managed (although, in her case, the junior didn't mind the manager, she had an issue with everyone else!) and it did cause a lot of problems. It was hard because the junior woman was a talented and brilliant employee, she just caused huge upset within the broader team.

I would suggest having a proper conversation with your manager about what's going on.

funfinfen · 23/03/2023 19:21

If she is talented enough to be two grades higher - I think she should be stretched and encouraged not shoved down. I work in a very flat-structured company and we are completely delighted when someone shines and shows how amazing they are.

Quveas · 23/03/2023 19:21

I'm struggling here. If she's going above your head, the problem isn't her - it's the other managers.

But I manage over 300 staff in our service. I've never needed to use the word "hierarchy" once. Maybe you still aren't explaining it well, but it sounds from what's on this thread that you are very invested in being the boss.

Marblessolveeverything · 23/03/2023 19:49

You post reads control, control, control.
At no point have you detailed she isn't doing her job.

I manage a team of c. 10 -15 depending on projects contractors etc. Hierarchy management style went out years ago and I am in public sector which isn't known for being radical. Today we focus on collaboration, with our internal and external stakeholders, embracing change management, securing engagement and delivering set objectives as a team.

A key part of my role is to develop team members to progress. I would reflect on your management style, why do you feel threatened by her? Why is control of her actions necessary that isn't management.

Sortinshit23 · 23/03/2023 20:01

Op, I have a report who thinks she's doing my job. She acts like she's in charge and butts in when I'm talking to other managers. She questions decisions I make when she has very little experience in this field at all. I'm having to really assert myself but stay calm at the same time. She interrupts all the time and her knowledge/opinions are wrong about 99% of the time. Hopefully it will settle down. I have reported the behaviour to my line manager.

Survey99 · 23/03/2023 20:08

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 15:49

Then you have to have a conversation with her and ask what's going on and if there's anything you can do to improve your relationship and be more approachable.

Show quote history

^ this

(Or alternatively tell her she needs to curtsey whenever you enter the room.)

You need to reflect on your style of management.

Angelik · 23/03/2023 20:23

Honestly, I wld move her on. For whatever reason she's not happy, it's making you miserable and that will affect the whole team