African American
Related: About this forumI'm trying to wrap my head around something, and need some help ...
As some might recall, I'm working on a big re-organization project at work.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018741859 (It's long but you can get the flavor of what I'm dealing with)
So ... Last week, the Sr. Director sent out an Action Plan for the project (that looked remarkably similar to the plan I had laid out ... 3 months ago) to me, and 4 other people (3 of which are not involved in the project), and included my boss', boss', boss (the Sr. VP of HR), asking for feedback. Before I could respond, the Sr. VP-HR responded with some very general remarks.
So I Pigeon (IM) the Sr. VP-HR asking to speak with her to give her a project up-date ... She calls me and the long and short of the update was: I'm trying to work with the folks; but, they are clearly withholding information and are not following my recommendations. Her response was: "Well ... you seem to be taking this personally."
I thought about it, and came to, "Yes ... I am." Primarily, because I know that when/if the project fails, I will be getting all the blame ... but, also, because TBH, I'm good at what I do and have done similar re-organizations dozens of time, all without a hitch ... but then, again, in each of the other projects, the people I was working with seemed to accept me as the subject matter expert, and followed my direction.
So the Sr. VP-HR, tells me that the folks I'm working with are "scared to death" and don't want to make any mistakes. She, also, told me that she is working with them behind the scenes and advising them because the Sr. Director trusts her because she negotiated his husband's contract. She recommended that I take the Sr. Director out for coffee to "develop a better connection." I thought, Okay ... we have a disconnect. Maybe, we can bridge the gap off-line.
So Friday, I'm in a meeting (on another matter) with my boss' boss, the Sr. Director of HR (a Black/female that I have a really good relationship with), and she asks how the project is going I give her the run down and tell her of her boss' recommendation. She pauses and kind of gives me a look, then she says, "You've spoken with {Sr. VP-HR}, and that's what she told you?" Then, after a beat, asked, "Did she tell you anything else?" So I related my entire conversation with {Sr. VP-HR}, and how we came to talk about the project.
The Sr. Director-HR told me that she had spoken with {Sr. VP-HR} the previous week, who told her that the Departmental folks told {Sr. VP-HR}, that they did not like working with me because "I am too direct and too directive" ... they also told {Sr. VP-HR} that "they didn't like getting homework" from me.
Okay ... That is a first for me! Departments consistently seek me out for projects and the post-project feedback has always been positive and, notably, that I am very easy to work with.
Now ... two Thoughts/Questions:
1) If the Sr. VP-HR had that "too direct and too directive" feedback, wouldn't you think that would be important to share with me? (If not, when she first got it; then, certainly when we talked)
and,
2) Could "too direct and too directive" be another way of saying "Too uppity"?
TBH, I had not thought of that ... a colleague (white/male) raised it with me, saying: "Well, you are the little guy of the group ... they are all Sr. Directors and VPs, the lowest paid person in that group gets more the 4 times what you get paid. 'How dare you TELL them what to do ... and what is this homework stuff? ... You, clearly, have forgotten your place!'" He then said, "And, I won't even bring up the racial dynamic ... you are a Black, low paid, functionary trying to tell a group of white, very well paid, upper management what to do."
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giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)people before & which one's are the one's that really don't need to have their hands in the pot?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)The Department folks (the Sr. Director and a VP) have only been on staff less than 6 months.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)sent it out to asking for feedback are not involved in the project? It would seem to me that them not being involved in the project yet involving them in the process would not only muddy the waters but undermine your position on the project.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)they aren't involved in the project and, although, no one other than the Sr. VP-HR, responded, he has to know that these other folks have nothing to offer the project.
The only thing I can figure is that he is paper trailing.
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)with some more advice in & convo in it about 6 hours ago & as I hit send DU crashed on me again. I'll get back with you early in the am but I think you should follow your gut & stay working with the initial team, see if you can get a feeling off of their body language & actual feedback rather than what someone that isn't involved is alleging folks are saying about you.
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)Never work.
marym625
(17,997 posts)I hate corporate bullshit politics. Someone above you in the food chain doesn't like you, then forget about it.
I don't play the game well so I don't play. I really hope you can work it out
kwassa
(23,340 posts)I have trouble, though, discerning who is at what rank in your organizational chart.
The Senior Director is afraid to make a decision, sent off the plan to others without responsibility in the decision to cover his/her ass, and is basically not moving on the plan in fear of failure on that plan. The response to you as being too direct and directive is that:
1) you are trying to facilitate movement on this
2) Senior Director doesn't want to move on it, and resents pressure from a lower-ranked person trying to get them to move on it.
and you are the little guy of the group. Rank has it's prerogatives, no matter how stupid. I would back off and shut up, unless it is worth your career.