So today we went through another corporate reorganization.
I was not caught in the major reorganization, which was significant. But I was caught in a minor one, which was significant enough for me.
I have changed reporting structures again. The dual form of reporting up was not working, so there is a new single line of communication - essentially what we had for almost 7 years until about a month ago. That system worked, apparently - just not with me.
There has been a "leveling". I have been stripped of 3 of my 4 team members, who are now reporting on equivalent level up - a team I have spent 7 years building. My job responsibilities, while not quite redefined, are shrinking in scope to well under half of what they used to be. And instead of reporting directly to The Head, we are all reporting to a Subhead who reports to The Head.
I have, in other words, been practically demoted.
I am not happy. I have indicated this, both to The Head and to The Subhead. I am essentially capped: I am precisely one level below The Subhead so the chances of moving up are rather limited. Even more so arguably, as with reduced areas of responsibility come reduced abilities to make the sorts of impressions and do the sorts of work that get the sorts of attention that makes such things possible.
Everyone is sympathetic, of course: of course we understand, it is for the betterment of the company, there will more opportunities for growth and expansion, do not feel like you have been put aside, it is really for the better. You are doing a fantastic job, keep up the good work, and we are 100% behind you.
I am really, really trying not to be bitter about this. Really. It would be lying to say it is not hard - except I have no-one to direct the bitterness at.
There is little enough to do about the situation, of course: what is done is done and to be anything less than 100% supportive will brand you in ways not good to consider. On the positive side, I am still employed.
But all that echoes in my mind is the ringing sound of echoes getting closer as the potentialities of my current position - and perhaps my career - shrink in like an old volcano sinking in on itself, leaving only a crumbling cones and broken lava tubes to mark its passing.
This one hits rather close to home, with similar things going on at my place of employment. We spend our lives learning, achieving, and trying to make a positive difference ... and in many case, only to learn at the end that we've become a tolerably-accomplished old fuddy-duddy.
ReplyDeleteBut that leaves us who wish to remain working with two options: continue doing what we can, to keep making a difference, or stop trying and just occupy a position for as long as the employer lets us. I've opted for #1; we'll see where it goes from here.
Bon chance, my friend. Hang in there.
It is interesting Reverend Paul - I know others for whom this has played out but never thought it would be me, I suppose. I think we all like to believe our possibilities are limitless, never figuring for the time that it would apply to us.
DeleteI will continue to do what I can. That said, I have to be honest that my enthusiasm is less than 100%. I certainly have no sense that anything I do will have an impact beyond the task itself.