My manager and her cohort made me in charge of a project at a very late stage. It's going to be hard to execute and do it right, so I was dropped the hot potato. The people I'm working with are not too strong either, and I'm not too optimistic we can do it.
I was told I was managing this project, but unofficially up until recently. I'm not in upper management, so I'm not involved with all aspects of the project and fear that I was brought in as the sacrificial lamb. (Is this what can happen?)
My manager who put me in charge, manages me and all projects, so I feel if something goes wrong or happens, I just need to report it to her (it's out of my control in other words)
How do I navigate this situation to my advantage? How do I protect myself? I've been reading through the lines to ';play/act dumb'; if the ball drops. Is this what people do? Is this what I should do?
I need some work savvy advice from people who know the ropes out there. Any advice for me? ThanksWork weirdness -- politics, antics, I need help with getting work savvy advice and learning about life!?
Treat it like an audition. It might be one.
There is no time for indecisiveness. Jump in with both feet and take the reigns.
If you fail, don't let it be for lack of effort.Work weirdness -- politics, antics, I need help with getting work savvy advice and learning about life!?
I would put everything in writing having to do with this ';hot potato'; - meaning, write down the stage at which every aspect of the project was in when you were told you were ';officially'; in charge of its progress, and note the resources you would need to complete the project. Resources you need would be people, software, time, and expertise with the subject matter.
Once you have documented all of the above, come up with a realistic time frame for each step of the way. Review with your manager where you are lacking in time and resources. This will demonstrate an organized approach as well as highlight the fact that you feel you are not being given the tools to adequately complete the project. Also try to understand during this conversation what a satisfactory job completion would mean to your boss, and give him or her project updates frequently. Don't be afraid to assertively ask for more resources, but make sure you stress it's in the interest of completing this project in a satisfactory time frame and with superior results. You can impress in this situation, and learn new organization skills that will help you in the future!
Best of luck in this difficult situation!
My guess is that your manager would rather have the project done right than have it fail, so chances are you're her best alternative rather than a sacrifical lamb.
Of course, it depends on what things have been like in the past in the office. If you have been on the hot seat in the past and you get the feeling that ';One more mistake and you're outta here!'; is hanging over your head, then they may be setting you up for a fall.
But again, your manager has a manager who judges HER on performance too, so she'd rather look good by pulling in a competant person at the last minute rather than handing the work that's already in jeopardy to someone who's going to ensure that it fails.
If nothing else, this might be a test to see if you can handle tough situations, which means she has a sense that you CAN! And if you do, you will be in much higher esteem in her eyes. Therefore, this is your chance to stand out.
I wouldn't play dumb on this one. Usually management wants to see someone step up and take control, with confidence, so that they don't have to worry about it. If I were you, I'd grab the reins and start doing everything you can to make this project better than anyone expected, and completed on time (and within budget, if that's part of your responsibility). You may want to put in extra time and energy on this one. That alone will show you're willing to do whatever it takes to make her look good. That's what gets you ahead in the business world.
Good luck, and get crackin'!
Will you listen to yourself for a minuet? ';it's going to be hard';. Give me a break. It's work! It's supposed to be hard. Did you ever think that they are testing you to see if you can perform under pressure? From what I read you just got started and you are already admitting defeat. Why don't you try a new strategy like maybe a change in attitude. Try this, Take over the project and get it done. ';Cant never could do nothing, you got to want to do it';.
I am not to optimistic that you and your team can get it done either. The reason. It is not that you and your team are lacking the ability or the know how. It is that you are lacking the confidence in yourself and your team to complete the job. If you go into a project with the mind set that you are going to fail then you will fail.
Success does not come easy. It takes a lot of hard work and effort. Gather your team together and formulate a plan. Find out what each person excels at then place them in charge of that aspect of the project. Put in the extra hours including weekends if need be. Keep your boss up to date on the project and any developments, good or bad. If there is going to be a delay let your boss know right away don't wait til the last minute and use it as an excuse.
I don't think they are making you the sacrificial lamb. Perhaps they are challenging you to see how well you preform under pressure and to see what leadership skills you have.
Now get off the computer and get to work. You can have an outline of what needs to be accomplished completed this weekend and be ready to start fresh on Monday morning.
Good luck. We all know that you can do it if you want to.
I agree w/ chilli in reference with documenting everything.
the way you do that is through email in your office.
Email your manager and say something like I'm a bit confused on the (name of the project) at our meeting on Wed. at 9:30.
Can you help clarify a few questions so I can get my team going on this project, I don't want to make any mistakes so all of your help is greatly appreciated.
Be nice, up front and do it through email. Refer in your emails like I did about certain meetings and the times. If your meeting was beyond the current week you are in (because your email will be dated) make sure you say on the 11-15-07 meeting in the conference room.
It's called CYA....I hope you already know what this means..if not CoverYourAzz!!!
You will never make it w/ he said she said in your situation.
If I were your manager and I have been a manager for many years. I would prefer you come to me with questions, then try and figure it out on your own in certain circumstances and this would be one that is legitimate. The only reason I said ';in certain circumstances'; is because I've had very lazy employees who would rather ask then look the question up that all know where her or his question is. That is all I meant by that. I always told my staff that no question is a stupid question. If she doesnt' feel the same way, she's a pretty bad manager and you can always turn it around on her if she give you flack by saying hey, I don't want to fail on this project because that could make you look bad.
Got it?
Ask, Document and do, then repeat. Always send your email to your home email address if you can't print them in the office, but do not let anyone catching you doing this. You are covering your own behind here remember.
Good luck to you and don't pull the act dumb routine. Put her on the spot and put it through emails. Let her know if she could reply via email, that would help you better if you run into in the office and she stands there trying to explain something to you. When or if she doesn't respond within a day and you really need your answer send her another email the next day and say, sorry to bother you but I really need your help to stay on my timeline w/ my team on (project name) but you please just drop me a line and explane .......? Thanks again for you time, I won't let you down as long as what is expected of me is clear, I'll make you look good..It's important to throw the outcome GOOD orBAd back onto her...It is HER department.
follow your heart
sometimes when they do this it is for a good reason. you are being given an opportunity to prove yourself under the same pressures that a manager goes through all the time. look at the task and if it seems possible you can do it. if it does not turn out perfect then you can say you tried your best to do it. quitting is not an option unless it is undoable.
In all situations you should keep your options open when confronted with new work, ';you know I can't carry this off when i'm already committed to the Ryan Project...did you wish for this project to take precidence over my other work?';
or';??what is our motivation on this project? what should be the results you are looking for and can you also help me to get it into advance stages since you are dropping the ball on me at this late date??
Very good. You are already on the road to sucsess. Don't worry about the consequences. If it goes wrong...stand up and say ..I fuc*d up and I learned a lesson. If it goes right...you'll be a hero. Never lay the blame on another. That's a sign of weakness. In all companies they sacrifice someone. Usually the new members. Get a jump on them. Say....I looked at this and this is what I think. we can do better if we do this..(bad English) but you get the drift. you take control. Your peers will respect you and your bosses will be amazed.
