New boss is out of touch

[Anonymous]

I have a new boss who took a 2-year long leave of absence and is back now. It's only been a week but already the boss wants to go back "to the way we did it 5 years ago." Technology has changed, people have changed, the business goals and models have all changed -- going back to the past will tank our departments financial goals, cause turnover and major political issues with other leadership. (Everyone except her boss and the resident bully hate her). She also told me yesterday point blank that she wants my coworker (her direct report) out because "they don't see eye to eye."

My job was awesome - I was doing the things that I love and getting lots of praise and increased sales -- now her new directives completely suck as will my day to day job. But to not get forced out I guess I need to heed her warning about "seeing eye to eye".

I can't start looking for a new job until at least January. I've only been here for a year and left a 10-yr job for what I thought was my dream.

How would you play this out? Roll over and do what she wants (which will end in lower sales, burnt bridges and damaging relationship)? Speak up? I'm going to try to transfer if I can... Or, look outside but I worry about looking like a job- jumper.

[Anonymous]

You need to find a new job. This will not go well

[Anonymous]

OP here - it's only been 2 hours since I posted and it's gotten worse! Dusting off the resume..,

[Anonymous]

What exactly are these changes going to be? iPhone 3s all around?

[Anonymous]

It's been a week. Comply now as a jesture of good will. Once you've established more of a report with her, when she asks you to do something inefficient say "I was going to suggest doing it [insert whatever preferred alternative], because it would have the benefits of XYZ" and then leave space her to respond. You may win her over and become a trusted advisor, or she may decline. You can't expect her to accept 100% of your suggestions though, and you won't gain any consideration with some one like this if you don't demonstrate that you respect her authority. So step one, show that you respect her. Step two, show that you a useful perspective that's worth considering and that you aren't a sore loser when it doesn't go your way. Step three, you'll gain back more of your autonomy as she gains confidence in you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a new boss who took a 2-year long leave of absence and is back now. It's only been a week but already the boss wants to go back "to the way we did it 5 years ago." Technology has changed, people have changed, the business goals and models have all changed -- going back to the past will tank our departments financial goals, cause turnover and major political issues with other leadership. (Everyone except her boss and the resident bully hate her). She also told me yesterday point blank that she wants my coworker (her direct report) out because "they don't see eye to eye."

My job was awesome - I was doing the things that I love and getting lots of praise and increased sales -- now her new directives completely suck as will my day to day job. But to not get forced out I guess I need to heed her warning about "seeing eye to eye".

I can't start looking for a new job until at least January. I've only been here for a year and left a 10-yr job for what I thought was my dream.

How would you play this out? Roll over and do what she wants (which will end in lower sales, burnt bridges and damaging relationship)? Speak up? I'm going to try to transfer if I can... Or, look outside but I worry about looking like a job- jumper.

Was she on maternity leave or something? I would never want to work for a technology company that allows people to go out this long, technology moves too fast.

[Anonymous]

OP here - my company has a very flexible policy on leave for executives - she wanted to test out retirement/attend to a family issue.

While tech is a huge component (fear of new technologies, social media, new tactics), it's more an issue of going back to broken processes and outdated content/products that were put in the graveyard years ago and relying on relationships/political alliances that aren't what they used to be. It's like saying "we are selling iPhone 6, but stop your work on iPhone 7 and let's dust off cassette tapes because it sold really well for me in 1986." Times change...

Mostly there is an office bully who wants to tear down the team. He also is right near retirement. He makes everyone's life a living hell and my new boss is BFF with him. So he basically has singled out all employees under 40 and told her to fire us. Because "we know nothing" (we barely work with him and our numbers are excellent) she seems to have it in her head that it must be the case. I wish she would look at our numbers, work product and glowing client reviews before deciding on our fates in week 1.

I cant imagine HR will be much help...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's been a week. Comply now as a jesture of good will. Once you've established more of a report with her, when she asks you to do something inefficient say "I was going to suggest doing it [insert whatever preferred alternative], because it would have the benefits of XYZ" and then leave space her to respond. You may win her over and become a trusted advisor, or she may decline. You can't expect her to accept 100% of your suggestions though, and you won't gain any consideration with some one like this if you don't demonstrate that you respect her authority. So step one, show that you respect her. Step two, show that you a useful perspective that's worth considering and that you aren't a sore loser when it doesn't go your way. Step three, you'll gain back more of your autonomy as she gains confidence in you.

Rapport. For the love of God.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to try a "Say Yes and add a Carrot" type thing:

"We could use an Excel spreadsheet, Larla, and I can do that for you. But let me just mention the new software we've had for the last two years. It's about 70% faster and with a ten minute tutorial you may find that you never want to go back to Excel..."

So say yes, but then tell her how great the new stuff is.

[Anonymous]

I say give it a couple weeks. Your boss sounds really insecure and scared of all the changes and is just clinging to what he/she knows. As he/she settles in and starts to interact with higher management and gets their own footing again, she will rely less on office bully and more on herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been a week. Comply now as a jesture of good will. Once you've established more of a report with her, when she asks you to do something inefficient say "I was going to suggest doing it [insert whatever preferred alternative], because it would have the benefits of XYZ" and then leave space her to respond. You may win her over and become a trusted advisor, or she may decline. You can't expect her to accept 100% of your suggestions though, and you won't gain any consideration with some one like this if you don't demonstrate that you respect her authority. So step one, show that you respect her. Step two, show that you a useful perspective that's worth considering and that you aren't a sore loser when it doesn't go your way. Step three, you'll gain back more of your autonomy as she gains confidence in you.

Rapport. For the love of God.

Thank you!