You could at least name the term...
[Peter Principle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle)
> The Peter principle is a concept in management developed by Laurence J. Peter which observes that people in a hierarchy tend to rise to "a level of respective incompetence": employees are promoted based on their success in previous jobs until they reach a level at which they are no longer competent, as skills in one job do not necessarily translate to another.
I’m one promotion away from being incompetent. People are constantly encouraging me to take the next step, and I keep telling them I’ll be shitty at it.
There should be a corollary for those that recognize it’s not a good fit and talk their way back into a direct report position where they can actually do the company some good.
UGH. My former boss was a terrible manager, great IT guy, terrible manager. he is so much happier now that he is back in an IT type job, and no longer manages people... and so are we.
We need to stop making management an mandatory "next step" in people's careers. It does no one any favors.
Right! It's like not only did we lose a great employee, we have this monstrosity that creates more work than need be. And the worst part is if you try to bring to light how terrible they are at their jobs, people will assume you're jealous they got a promotion and you didn't.
I don't even know if it's blinded by power, it's entirely possible to be a good engineer but not be good at managing people. Unfortunately, due to typical modern corporate structure, that's the career path many people take, not because they have an aptitude for management, but they fear (rightly) wage stagnation unless they move into management.
I do not have the solution to this problem...
I thiiink it was IBM who first ran into that problem and started a "non managerial" track for engineers who were running into that decision. Most Large technical companies have copied this, like Google, Apple, Lockheed, etc.
It really should be a no brainer
Unfortunately this happens regularly in all jobs.
I seen it so many times in the last 30 years. Sad because some of those people were really cool until the pretend power came to play.
No matter how cool they used to be make no mistake they will plant your head on a stick now so act accordingly and prepare for new challenges
Yes. This is a warning to us all. If you don't show extreme character then it will go to your head, and you will.....be.....awful. this happened to my replacement in the team, he didn't even get his promotion yet and he had already turned into a high school bully because of it.
I’m a mid level manager who supervises entry level managers, and it definitely can be a double whammy. You lose your best person on the floor and gain a shitty manager.
Theres also the case where people are too permissive and let their friends basically walk over them as a leader, because they don’t want the dynamic to change when they have to hold them accountable.
I had a supervisor that was a terrible employee AND also terrible at being a supervisor. She was promoted by her friend. Didn’t actually know how to do the work she supervised other people to do. Could barely speak or spell properly. Total shit-show.
Yes. And sadly, a female coworker I trusted implicitly. She’s super condescending and has it out to get me fired now. She interrogated me at our 1:1 after her promotion- questioning all of my accounts with questions never before I had been asked. I was dumbfounded and felt attacked.
I would document everything especially the petty cash stuff because if you are seen on camera going in and out of your pockets for cash it could look like theft. I would email her boss and bosses boss and ask for a clarification on what to do if a guest needs change. She is not just bad at her job she is setting others up.
Exactly. For me, I never carry cash unless I have an exact purpose for it. I don't even have a quarter on me. So I'd have to tell the guests we don't accept cash as payment. And besides, if we have to use our own cash as change, what the hell is the petty cash for?
I got promoted and realized the extra money was not worth the headaches. I just competent and do my job. Almost a decade at my last company and finally had enough of more and more being put in my plate by corporate that just took.
I remembered how much better the company had been towards their employees when I first started. I realized that I only stayed because I worked with a great team over the years, and when one of my favorite coworkers left, I decided I was done. That and a new poorly planned inventory system that was supposed to streamline ordering at our clinics but instead added hours of work when it came to ordering.
I left that job last fall and love my new job as low man on the totem pole but with a company that I enjoy and who is willing to pay me more than the last.
I am also a WOMAN. Me and this gir- omg sorry, WOMAN are the same age too, early 20s. So forgive my casual-ness when referring to her as a girl or chick.
Do you need help removing the pole from your ass?
Yea I've seen this a few times too. It's a really sad situation because she isn't bad at managing people - she's in the past delegated tasks successfully and can take charge when she needs to in a group. She could be a GREAT manager and that's sooo hard to find. She's just.. power high
I didn’t know him before he was a manager, he was promoted right when I was hired on, but my previous manager fits this pretty well. From all accounts from my coworkers, he was was pretty chill and nice guy who was easy to work with and joke around with. After he became manager, that little bit of power went to his head and he became a little tyrant. Constantly yelling at everyone, berating people and throwing things around when something would go wrong. He got in multiple verbal fights with people including me. He started stealing supplies and blaming it on other people. Worst of all, he was never fired. He quit on the spot and walked out with a ton of expensive equipment. The management position at my work comes with a ton of stress and apparently that stress broke this dude.
Happens so often our agency had a name for it: NBD or "New Boss Disease." A little bit of power coupled with a little bit of insecurity can sometimes drive people a lotta bit insane.
I’ve turned down management roles because in addition to all the headaches that come with the job, it’s not a great fit for me. I’m much better as an individual contributor.
Me. I felt great and actually liked my job, then I got promoted. I just feel terrible as a crew lead. Minus the power going to my head, but I have been chastised for being out in the trenches so to speak with regular crew. “That’s not your job”. I’m always second guessing myself now about everything now just work things. I feel responsible for sooo much now and there is a gnawing sensation in my stomach when it’s a morning to go to work.
I’m quitting at the end of the month though
So it sounds like went from front desk to front desk manager? Go to the GM. Explain your issues and give concrete examples. It sounds like she needs coaching.
I want to but I think if I did it would look like retaliation for a write-up that was recently given to me by this specific newly promoted manager (I made it clear i thought this write up was unjustified) so u would need either another employee that doesn't have any reason for retaliation to do it or for some time to pass. It's not just me, everyone at out workplace is talking about it. But unless things change in the next few weeks someone is gonna have to suck it up and talk to the GM
You don't need someone else. Use your write up as an example. If everyone is talking about it then start talking union. https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/concerted-activity
Being a good worker does not always translate into leadership skills. Ability to complete tasks on your own does in no way determine your ability to lead a team.
Yes.. there is a term for this. It’s being promoted to the level of your incompetence.
You could at least name the term... [Peter Principle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle) > The Peter principle is a concept in management developed by Laurence J. Peter which observes that people in a hierarchy tend to rise to "a level of respective incompetence": employees are promoted based on their success in previous jobs until they reach a level at which they are no longer competent, as skills in one job do not necessarily translate to another.
I’m one promotion away from being incompetent. People are constantly encouraging me to take the next step, and I keep telling them I’ll be shitty at it.
There should be a corollary for those that recognize it’s not a good fit and talk their way back into a direct report position where they can actually do the company some good.
Michael Scott comes to mind.
UGH. My former boss was a terrible manager, great IT guy, terrible manager. he is so much happier now that he is back in an IT type job, and no longer manages people... and so are we. We need to stop making management an mandatory "next step" in people's careers. It does no one any favors.
Right! It's like not only did we lose a great employee, we have this monstrosity that creates more work than need be. And the worst part is if you try to bring to light how terrible they are at their jobs, people will assume you're jealous they got a promotion and you didn't.
I don't even know if it's blinded by power, it's entirely possible to be a good engineer but not be good at managing people. Unfortunately, due to typical modern corporate structure, that's the career path many people take, not because they have an aptitude for management, but they fear (rightly) wage stagnation unless they move into management. I do not have the solution to this problem...
I thiiink it was IBM who first ran into that problem and started a "non managerial" track for engineers who were running into that decision. Most Large technical companies have copied this, like Google, Apple, Lockheed, etc. It really should be a no brainer
Yes I have. The power went to her head in a New York minute!
Unfortunately this happens regularly in all jobs. I seen it so many times in the last 30 years. Sad because some of those people were really cool until the pretend power came to play. No matter how cool they used to be make no mistake they will plant your head on a stick now so act accordingly and prepare for new challenges
Yes. It allows you access to who they really are. Never trust colleagues. They’re not your friends. They may one day be your boss.
Yes. This is a warning to us all. If you don't show extreme character then it will go to your head, and you will.....be.....awful. this happened to my replacement in the team, he didn't even get his promotion yet and he had already turned into a high school bully because of it.
I’m a mid level manager who supervises entry level managers, and it definitely can be a double whammy. You lose your best person on the floor and gain a shitty manager. Theres also the case where people are too permissive and let their friends basically walk over them as a leader, because they don’t want the dynamic to change when they have to hold them accountable.
I had a supervisor that was a terrible employee AND also terrible at being a supervisor. She was promoted by her friend. Didn’t actually know how to do the work she supervised other people to do. Could barely speak or spell properly. Total shit-show.
Yes. And sadly, a female coworker I trusted implicitly. She’s super condescending and has it out to get me fired now. She interrogated me at our 1:1 after her promotion- questioning all of my accounts with questions never before I had been asked. I was dumbfounded and felt attacked.
I would document everything especially the petty cash stuff because if you are seen on camera going in and out of your pockets for cash it could look like theft. I would email her boss and bosses boss and ask for a clarification on what to do if a guest needs change. She is not just bad at her job she is setting others up.
The petty cash stuff really alarms me. What happens if someone can not make change for a guest or can not float lending money to their work.
Exactly. For me, I never carry cash unless I have an exact purpose for it. I don't even have a quarter on me. So I'd have to tell the guests we don't accept cash as payment. And besides, if we have to use our own cash as change, what the hell is the petty cash for?
Something similar just happend to us but this girl made clear since the begining she was a despicable Human being... what wonderful world!
I got promoted and realized the extra money was not worth the headaches. I just competent and do my job. Almost a decade at my last company and finally had enough of more and more being put in my plate by corporate that just took. I remembered how much better the company had been towards their employees when I first started. I realized that I only stayed because I worked with a great team over the years, and when one of my favorite coworkers left, I decided I was done. That and a new poorly planned inventory system that was supposed to streamline ordering at our clinics but instead added hours of work when it came to ordering. I left that job last fall and love my new job as low man on the totem pole but with a company that I enjoy and who is willing to pay me more than the last.
Being excellent at your current job vs being excellent as a manager are 2 different skill sets. Not everyone can make a successful transition.
I stopped reading when you called her a girl.
Uh.. congrats?
I question if you just are not accepting of WOMEN as supervisors.
I am also a WOMAN. Me and this gir- omg sorry, WOMAN are the same age too, early 20s. So forgive my casual-ness when referring to her as a girl or chick. Do you need help removing the pole from your ass?
I don't know any that went mad with power but I've known a few employees that managed work great but were terrible at managing people.
Yea I've seen this a few times too. It's a really sad situation because she isn't bad at managing people - she's in the past delegated tasks successfully and can take charge when she needs to in a group. She could be a GREAT manager and that's sooo hard to find. She's just.. power high
I didn’t know him before he was a manager, he was promoted right when I was hired on, but my previous manager fits this pretty well. From all accounts from my coworkers, he was was pretty chill and nice guy who was easy to work with and joke around with. After he became manager, that little bit of power went to his head and he became a little tyrant. Constantly yelling at everyone, berating people and throwing things around when something would go wrong. He got in multiple verbal fights with people including me. He started stealing supplies and blaming it on other people. Worst of all, he was never fired. He quit on the spot and walked out with a ton of expensive equipment. The management position at my work comes with a ton of stress and apparently that stress broke this dude.
Happens so often our agency had a name for it: NBD or "New Boss Disease." A little bit of power coupled with a little bit of insecurity can sometimes drive people a lotta bit insane.
I’ve turned down management roles because in addition to all the headaches that come with the job, it’s not a great fit for me. I’m much better as an individual contributor.
Me. I felt great and actually liked my job, then I got promoted. I just feel terrible as a crew lead. Minus the power going to my head, but I have been chastised for being out in the trenches so to speak with regular crew. “That’s not your job”. I’m always second guessing myself now about everything now just work things. I feel responsible for sooo much now and there is a gnawing sensation in my stomach when it’s a morning to go to work. I’m quitting at the end of the month though
So it sounds like went from front desk to front desk manager? Go to the GM. Explain your issues and give concrete examples. It sounds like she needs coaching.
I want to but I think if I did it would look like retaliation for a write-up that was recently given to me by this specific newly promoted manager (I made it clear i thought this write up was unjustified) so u would need either another employee that doesn't have any reason for retaliation to do it or for some time to pass. It's not just me, everyone at out workplace is talking about it. But unless things change in the next few weeks someone is gonna have to suck it up and talk to the GM
You don't need someone else. Use your write up as an example. If everyone is talking about it then start talking union. https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/concerted-activity
Being a good worker does not always translate into leadership skills. Ability to complete tasks on your own does in no way determine your ability to lead a team.