On a coffee chat with boss’ boss, I was asked about my interest in boss role

[Anonymous]

How to handle?

Boss told me this morning that his boss (lets call him Big Boss) wanted to get coffee with me. I had never met this person before even though I have been 7 years with the company. So I said yes. During the casual coffee chat, Big Boss asked me if I wanted boss’ role. This shocked me so I said, I think boss is awesome in his role and I cant match his institutional knowledge and style.

Then coffee ended (like there was still half a cup left in mine!)

I felt ambushed.

How would you have handled it differently? Any tips going forward? Im a director, worked my way from associate. Boss is VP and Big Boss is Senior VP. Do I tell my Boss what happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How to handle?

Boss told me this morning that his boss (lets call him Big Boss) wanted to get coffee with me. I had never met this person before even though I have been 7 years with the company. So I said yes. During the casual coffee chat, Big Boss asked me if I wanted boss’ role. This shocked me so I said, I think boss is awesome in his role and I cant match his institutional knowledge and style.

Then coffee ended (like there was still half a cup left in mine!)

I felt ambushed.

How would you have handled it differently? Any tips going forward? Im a director, worked my way from associate. Boss is VP and Big Boss is Senior VP. Do I tell my Boss what happened?

For all you know Boss is looking to leave and Big Boss was feeling you out. Or maybe Boss has other VP counterparts so you could become a VP without taking Boss’s job? I would have been more equivocal. “I’d love to grow at this company if the right opportunity arises!”

[Anonymous]

I think you did ok. But i would have said boss role is something that i want to grow into and always interested in opportunities to advance.

[Anonymous]

You messed up.

[Anonymous]

You blew it. You deserve the low level job you are in. What a disaster !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You messed up.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How to handle?

Boss told me this morning that his boss (lets call him Big Boss) wanted to get coffee with me. I had never met this person before even though I have been 7 years with the company. So I said yes. During the casual coffee chat, Big Boss asked me if I wanted boss’ role. This shocked me so I said, I think boss is awesome in his role and I cant match his institutional knowledge and style.

Then coffee ended (like there was still half a cup left in mine!)

I felt ambushed.

How would you have handled it differently? Any tips going forward? Im a director, worked my way from associate. Boss is VP and Big Boss is Senior VP. Do I tell my Boss what happened?

For all you know Boss is looking to leave and Big Boss was feeling you out. Or maybe Boss has other VP counterparts so you could become a VP without taking Boss’s job? I would have been more equivocal. “I’d love to grow at this company if the right opportunity arises!”

Definitely should have shown interest. You never know what they are planning or needing. You will never know now. Maybe a new office /branch etc was opening.

[Anonymous]

How old are you, OP?

Senior leaders never want to get coffee with you for just the sake of it. If they do that, something is going down. It could be something is up with your boss (like your boss is leaving and has already told the big boss), or there is a big reorganization coming and they are feeling out how they will reorg and who goes where.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You messed up.

+2

You should have pivoted more. "Little boss is a great team leader and supportive of his team's work....I woukd be excited at the opportunity to continue this role and likewise launch it a higher caliber."

[Anonymous]

You weren't ambushed. The minute a senior leader that you don't normally have one on ones with asks you to get coffee, you should have been prepared to talk about your role in the organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You messed up.

+1 OP how old are you? Conversations like these happen for many different reasons, and are pretty normal for the workplace.

[Anonymous]

It depends. Trying to take over boss’ role if he’s a high performer who isn’t going anywhere would be unprofessional. Expressing interest in growth, if actually interested in growth, is a safe move. It’s also ok to be happy where you are. I’d try to feel out the situation. Honestly, leaving a coffee meeting halfway is weird and therefore I’m not sure I’d want to report to boss’ boss. I also wouldn’t like a culture that’s asking you an obvious trick question.

[Anonymous]

“Coffee chat” is a cringey term, just like “separate.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Coffee chat” is a cringey term, just like “separate.”

? Ok

[Anonymous]

I'm embarrassed for you.