Incompetent manager

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I've name changed as don't wish to be identified.

Bit of background, I started a job a couple of months ago in an entry level role into the profession I wish to pursue. I have a couple of years experience in this role but will need some 'coaching' or shadowing to get to the next post.

My new manager is fairly experienced, 10 years or so within the industry but is clearly in over their head. We work in a small team, only myself and them within a small business that haven't had the function before. They've risen up the ranks very quickly in their job with the company, started out in my position less than a year ago. I believe they're a fairly 'new' manager, but also very new to the position below this if you see what I mean?

I have doubts about their ability and don't think they'd be able to do the job that I currently do, let alone 2 posts higher. They've been working at my level for most of their career. This is not a jealousy thing from me, I'm very aware that I also could not do their job and appreciate it must be difficult. The issue is, the work is just often wrong. It is not a case of it being open to interpretation etc as it will be guidance from professional bodies or the law. They are very set in their ways and do not take being challenged well. This filters down to me being expected to also do things 'the wrong way'. If I'm honest, they do not have the basics right, it's often common sense and is practiced the same almost everywhere.

As a result of this, I feel as though I am being micromanaged and finding it patronising. I do understand the need to have check ins etc, I will share with them what I am working on and where I am with everything but often feel like I'm being taught to suck eggs. Everything I do needs to be ran through them and they will find 'errors' where there are none. I just feel like I need to be given a chance, I will be told constantly that things are above my experience level (correct) but my manager seems to struggle with letting go of things that are below their pay grade. Any suggestions I make, backed up with best practice and law, are shot down.

In addition to this, I've brought a few new ideas to our team. Nothing major, mostly administrative or very standard practice elsewhere and they will take credit for suggesting it. I believe it stems from insecurity and I'm doing what I can to not tread on any toes but it's difficult when I know it is not the correct way of doing things.

I'm actively looking for other jobs now, but just wanted some opinions really. I'm not sure how I can make this more manageable in the meantime.

Just to add to the micromanaging bit, they will ask to check my emails before I send them and be cced in to everything I do.

I send a lot of emails (sometimes between 50-100 a day). They then complain about the amount of emails they get and will miss things they do need to action, I've been waiting for over a week for a response on something, this is usual, and there are often times they miss things and chase me on it because it's got lost in the emails. The response is always along the lines of I must have missed it, I get so many emails it's frustrating.

Sounds difficult. Incompetent people cause just as much damage in the workplace as nasty ones. It doesn’t sound tolerable though - usually you would have an open conversation with the person but it sounds like they are not receptive to feedback. It isn’t right for you to be managing your difficult and incompetent manager while you are getting to grips with your own role yourself. Perhaps go over their head.

It sounds difficult. And frustrating.

However you've only been there a couple of months and are inexperienced in the role. It's probably coming across as arrogant that you're already suggesting new ways of working and critiquing your manager's work.

You may well be 100% right in your suggestions. The manager may be completely incompetent. But you'd maybe be wise to wait a while to get your induction completed and probation passed before you raise any further issues.

It sounds as though you work in a place where rapid progression is possible. If I were you, I'd watch and learn. Not just how to do the role, but also how not to make the mistakes your manager apparently does.

@CaterhamReconstituted

It's a small company and their line manager is one below director. Our department is not represented at director level and so their boss is not qualified in the job that my manager specialises in, if that makes sense? They are the subject matter expert in it.

Their manager has taken a liking to me and they will try to block any direct communication I have with her and wants it all to go through them. Both email and in person.

They don't often see eye to eye which fuels it and I don't doubt that if I were to undermine my manager in this way they would come down harder and tighten the leash.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

@Gazelda

I understand this fully and I'm trying to be more aware of how I'm presenting ideas and solutions to the problems we're facing.

I don't doubt that my manager's hands are tied in a lot of situations. I don't believe I could do their job, I'm aware of my experience and own limitations. It's however very challenging and also difficult to challenge when something is just not at all right but being posed as the only solution.

I feel like I'm speaking in riddles, we work in HR.