Is this office politics or did I mess up?

[Anonymous]

Over the past year, I’ve been working in a pretty complex area at my job that had a steep learning curve and a heavy workload. Around the same time, a colleague joined and was assigned to a different workstream that seemed noticeably lighter.

While I was heads-down trying to get up to speed—building relationships, figuring things out, and managing a lot of moving pieces—she seemed to have more bandwidth and started inserting herself into my area. There were even a few times she gave updates on my work when I was out, which I found a bit odd.

Then we had a leadership change, and things shifted quickly. She was promoted into a role overseeing reporting and communications across multiple workstreams—including mine. Since then, she’s become the visible face of the work: meeting with leadership, presenting updates, and acting as the main point of contact, while I’m still doing the day-to-day execution.

Recently, my manager pulled me aside and asked if I’m “happy” in my role and whether I see it as a long-term fit, or if I’d want to move to something else. This caught me off guard because I haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction. At the same time, another person was added to my workstream, and it feels like my role is being diluted.

So now I’m trying to figure out—did I just get outmaneuvered here? Is this normal office politics, or a sign I’m being quietly pushed out of my area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over the past year, I’ve been working in a pretty complex area at my job that had a steep learning curve and a heavy workload. Around the same time, a colleague joined and was assigned to a different workstream that seemed noticeably lighter.

While I was heads-down trying to get up to speed—building relationships, figuring things out, and managing a lot of moving pieces—she seemed to have more bandwidth and started inserting herself into my area. There were even a few times she gave updates on my work when I was out, which I found a bit odd.

Then we had a leadership change, and things shifted quickly. She was promoted into a role overseeing reporting and communications across multiple workstreams—including mine. Since then, she’s become the visible face of the work: meeting with leadership, presenting updates, and acting as the main point of contact, while I’m still doing the day-to-day execution.

Recently, my manager pulled me aside and asked if I’m “happy” in my role and whether I see it as a long-term fit, or if I’d want to move to something else. This caught me off guard because I haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction. At the same time, another person was added to my workstream, and it feels like my role is being diluted.

So now I’m trying to figure out—did I just get outmaneuvered here? Is this normal office politics, or a sign I’m being quietly pushed out of my area?

More than possible.

[Anonymous]

That really sucks. It sounds like this woman pulled off a brilliant maneuver, getting involved enough into your work to oversee it without actually doing any of it.

I am not sure whether you're being pushed out. Adding another person and asking if you're happy there could be signs, but my initial read was actually they are asking if you are happy because they know you've been working hard and got passed up by this woman - like they're afraid to lose you and wonder if you are interested in other opportunities at the company. Your rule sounds kind of thankless and a lot for one person, and that could also be a reason to bring on another person.

So IMO these signs could just as well be positive ones (on paper) but you're the one who's there and knows the vibes. Is there any chance there's just a lot of movement there right now and they are trying to see if you'd be a good fit/happier elsewhere there?

[Anonymous]

Yes outmaneuvered. You can blame it on the heavy lift you had to do but I feel like you lean towards technical mastery vs relationship building, networking, enlisting support, devising strategy.

No not being pushed out - yet. But the second person was brought in as back up in case you flee, as well as to see if it can get done faster.

[Anonymous]

i also get paranoid when people ask me if Im happy at work

[Anonymous]

Hard to tell if you are being pushed out. Ask your manager why she’s asking if you are happy. Maybe she knows of a better opportunity for you or has advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes outmaneuvered. You can blame it on the heavy lift you had to do but I feel like you lean towards technical mastery vs relationship building, networking, enlisting support, devising strategy.

No not being pushed out - yet. But the second person was brought in as back up in case you flee, as well as to see if it can get done faster.

This is my take. Coming up to speed. Heavier workload. Getting to know the people and the process. All while someone came in and worked the relationship side. It is hard to know if she really had a lighter workload, or if she came into the job knowing more about the work.

I would step up my game if you want to stay in that position. I'd also assess as best as you can, how necessary you are in the role. Them bringing in someone new to help you isn't great, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over the past year, I’ve been working in a pretty complex area at my job that had a steep learning curve and a heavy workload. Around the same time, a colleague joined and was assigned to a different workstream that seemed noticeably lighter.

While I was heads-down trying to get up to speed—building relationships, figuring things out, and managing a lot of moving pieces—she seemed to have more bandwidth and started inserting herself into my area. There were even a few times she gave updates on my work when I was out, which I found a bit odd.

Then we had a leadership change, and things shifted quickly. She was promoted into a role overseeing reporting and communications across multiple workstreams—including mine. Since then, she’s become the visible face of the work: meeting with leadership, presenting updates, and acting as the main point of contact, while I’m still doing the day-to-day execution.

Recently, my manager pulled me aside and asked if I’m “happy” in my role and whether I see it as a long-term fit, or if I’d want to move to something else. This caught me off guard because I haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction. At the same time, another person was added to my workstream, and it feels like my role is being diluted.

So now I’m trying to figure out—did I just get outmaneuvered here? Is this normal office politics, or a sign I’m being quietly pushed out of my area?

Get out now. Express an interest in something else and move on. Let your friend take on the full responsibility for the work that they were so keen to take on the reporting updates for.

[Anonymous]

She was probably hired for the management track. Seen this many times before, someone comes in and within months they’re suddenly management material while those with several years of experience stay out where they are and are only offered lateral moves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over the past year, I’ve been working in a pretty complex area at my job that had a steep learning curve and a heavy workload. Around the same time, a colleague joined and was assigned to a different workstream that seemed noticeably lighter.

While I was heads-down trying to get up to speed—building relationships, figuring things out, and managing a lot of moving pieces—she seemed to have more bandwidth and started inserting herself into my area. There were even a few times she gave updates on my work when I was out, which I found a bit odd.

Then we had a leadership change, and things shifted quickly. She was promoted into a role overseeing reporting and communications across multiple workstreams—including mine. Since then, she’s become the visible face of the work: meeting with leadership, presenting updates, and acting as the main point of contact, while I’m still doing the day-to-day execution.

Recently, my manager pulled me aside and asked if I’m “happy” in my role and whether I see it as a long-term fit, or if I’d want to move to something else. This caught me off guard because I haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction. At the same time, another person was added to my workstream, and it feels like my role is being diluted.

So now I’m trying to figure out—did I just get outmaneuvered here? Is this normal office politics, or a sign I’m being quietly pushed out of my area?

Get out now. Express an interest in something else and move on. Let your friend take on the full responsibility for the work that they were so keen to take on the reporting updates for.

This is a fantastic strategy! Most people come in thinking they can take over workload, not understandable, complexity of projects or programs
and end up failing because leadership fails to understand the technicality of the overall scope of work.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like more people were needed in your group, OP. You couldn't do it all, so they added someone. But you can always say that you're interested in other roles.

[Anonymous]

What could OP have done to stop this?

[Anonymous]

One thing that OP didn't pay enough attention to was when person started reporting on their work. It was more malignant than "odd"

[Anonymous]

I second the poster then let this manager take over the execution and put your talents and tenacity to something else.

Or just care less about the nonsense.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It sounds like my manager wants me to exit this portfolio and take on some other project. At this point this other person was already given ownership of the portfolio and a new person from another team is being brought in to do my job basically.

At this point the only thing I can do is take on other work and let this go.