Careers Handling the Revolving Door above you
If you've worked for any one company for very long, chances are that you've been exposed to the revolving door above you. Change at the top could be evidence of growth in the organization (your boss has been promoted), or it could be a sign of serious trouble (you're on your fourth supervisor this year, and it's not even Easter yet!). Either way, it's important to develop coping strategies to be sure that your career stays on track despite the turmoil around you:
WHEN YOUR BOSS CHANGES MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE WEATHER:
It is never easy to work in an unstable environment, and when you can't count on something as basic as leadership, it can leave you feeling bereft and uncertain. If the revolving door of management is accompanied by staff cutbacks, tighter budgets and shrinking sales, these are definite danger signs that you should not ignore. While some businesses have cycles of ups and downs, if many executives are jumping ship, you should consider finding your own lifeboat as well - before the ship sinks!
On the other hand, if it seems to be only one specific position that is stuck in that revolving door rut, the company could just be having some challenges finding the right fit for the job. This can be especially true of positions that have been held by the same person for many years, since the incumbent who is moving on may have set some very high standards. Similarly, newly created positions can be difficult to fill, since the job description may not be an accurate reflection of the tasks, which can lead to inconsistent expectations between the employer and employee. If this type of scenario affects you, be patient, remain focused on your job and don't let all the drama distract you from your work. Eventually, the management situation will resolve itself and when your long-term boss does enter the picture, they'll appreciate your consistency and maturity.
WHEN YOUR BOSS QUITS:
While it may be a blow to your morale to learn that your boss is leaving the business, instead of focusing on the reasons for the departure, turn your disappointment into an opportunity by concentrating on the vacancy that will need to be filled. Since resignations are often unexpected, the company may not have a contingency plan and will be looking to fill the position quickly.
You may suddenly have more exposure to senior executives as they take on the daily management of the team while interviewing for a suitable replacement. This is your chance to shine! Make sure your work is impeccable and that your projects are up to date. Don't be afraid to express your interest in the position or to share your plan for elevating the team to the next level. A positive attitude and excellent work ethic will make a great impression and put you first in line for a possible promotion.
If your boss has decided to quit, remember that it may not be an amicable split, which can induce even the most professional of managers to bad-mouth the organization, the management and even the employees. Take this with a grain of salt and if you have any legitimate concerns, speak to your Human Resources generalist for advice.
WHEN YOUR BOSS IS PROMOTED:
The fact that your boss was able to work his or her way into a new role is encouraging, since it demonstrates that you may find yourself in the same position one day. Assuming the immediate replacement is not you, however, you need to prepare yourself for your new boss. It can be extremely stressful knowing that you have to start over with someone else - particularly if you had a great relationship with your former boss. On the other hand, this can be an opportunity for a fresh start, with a blank slate and no predisposed opinions about your abilities or character.
Since the company you work for has hired this person, they will more than likely support them as well; so resisting the change will be pointless. Instead, try to focus on the positive and glean what you can from the experience. Working with someone new will undoubtedly create an opportunity for growth by giving you a different perspective, exposing you to a new management style and forcing you out of your comfort zone. If you can embrace the changes, enhance your skills, remain positive and continue to perform well, your new boss may soon be promoting you!
WHEN YOUR BOSS IS FIRED:
One of the most difficult events in my career was when my boss and mentor was fired. He recruited me into the organization and paved my way to success, eventually moving me into a senior-level international role. Unfortunately, due to disagreements with the President and CEO over an acquisition, he was let go and I was shipped back to Canada, to report to someone new for the first time in six years.
Where I once had unfettered control over daily operations, my new boss wanted to review and approve everything from the receptionist's schedule to the cafeteria menu. Where I once negotiated multi-million dollar contracts, my new boss took away my signing authority and insisted on attending every meeting and being briefed on every detail. Where I once managed my own team, hiring and firing as I saw fit, my new boss decided to sit in on my staff meetings and interview job candidates for my open positions.
At first, I was distraught and defensive at his intrusions. I could not understand how, after six years of being touted as a top performer, I was suddenly being managed under a microscope. I chose to confront my new boss with my concerns and I'm glad I did! He explained that although my former boss had had six years to learn how to work with me, he had to dive right in. He admitted that he didn't know much about my role - or the Canadian organization - and explained that his extensive involvement was his way of getting up to speed so that he could provide better support and guidance as my manager.
This conversation was our first open dialogue and gave both of us a chance to express our expectations of the other. I learned and accepted that despite my past accomplishments, I would still have to prove myself to my new boss - at least at the beginning. He learned to give me the benefit of the doubt. Eventually, we got to know each other, understand each other's working styles and establish a satisfactory working relationship. It was never the same as the connection I had with my former mentor, but it allowed us both to get the job done, which was good enough for me.
Whether it's adjusting to a new boss, learning a new software program or acclimatizing to a different culture, I have learned that you must be able to roll with the punches and adapt to change to be successful in any career. Management can change for many reasons, but ultimately, the key to handling the revolving door above you is to tune out the drama and stay focused on your responsibilities. If you can do that, then you have a good chance of being able to walk through that door and into a permanent management position one day.
