How to admit to your boss that maybe you aren't capable of doing your job?

[Nikia]

Or should you ever say this. I was promoted this summer. I thought that this would be challenging, but possible. Since about December, I have begun to think that I am doing a horrible job and that I might not be capable of handling my position. It isn't getting any better, and I am considering telling him this.
My main issues are getting my subordinates to get all their work done, getting all my work done, and getting all the knowledge I need to make better decisions. Part of the problem is that our company has greatly increased business while industry requirements have also increased. Our department has increased from 3 people to 4 people during a time that our workload has probably tripled. Our former department head has been yelled at for even suggesting that this might be a problem.
Maybe someone can handle this job, but it wasn't our former department head and it isn't me. Is it ever acceptable to say this without being prepared to leave the company? We are a small company so I doubt that I could transfer within the company. My boss is the "heir" to this family owned company.

[mzteris]

1. tough position.

How would you change things?

What would make you "capable"? From what you're saying it sounds like maybe no would be capable of doing the job the way it is designed.

Come up with some suggestions:
-Redesign the position/department.
-Re-allocation of duties.
-Reassigning a worker to a different supervisor.
-Adding a layer.
-Show how adding a person will add to the productivity and bottom line profit and not just "another salary" to pay.
-Training classes you think might help you (when, where, how much).


Get it out down in black and white the depth, breadth and scope of what needs doing. Then it usually becomes apparent that it truly is "more" than one person can do.

A lot depends on your boss and how he reacts to things. How is business going? If you're growing and it's going well he'll be more amenable to keeping that momentum going in the right direction. He doesn't want to just hear problems, present him with some solution options, and you go a long way towards not having to take a step backwards.

If you truly feel as if you are over your head, I'd say so. It's better to talk about it ahead of time than get fired or demoted against your will.

[XanaDUer]

2. I would never say that

And, I doubt you are not capable of doing it, either. It may be that things are too new or chaotic for you right now. Can you sit down with your boss and, in a professional way, look for clarification or prioritizing what you do?

The real problem? The overworkload. I am a most capable person in my field, and I was doing the work of five of mes, frankly, and, thank God, I got laid off and got a normal job.

You may want to start looking around for a new job, if you can. Good luck.