Reply to Dinged for being "too smart" - how do I transition out of government?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As someone who's been both a vice president in a consulting firm and a GS-15 manager in government, let me tell you what I think. Your post has a dozen red flags that suggest you're like several people I've run into over the course of my career, who are 10, 15, or 20 years in to their careers, very smart and hard working, but never succeeding as much as they think they should and frequently being encouraged to "find something else." You're what--in your 40's?--and crying yourself to sleep because the other kids are mean and don't appreciate how special you are? You are in denial about your own limitations and all you want to do is blame others. As long as you keep your hands over your ears when anyone tries to tell you anything negative, and as long as you write off all feedback as pettiness and jealousy, you're never going to change, you're never going to succeed, and you're never going to be happy. And in the meantime you create a ton of drama for your managers because you demand special treatment, piss off the rest of the team, and they have to spend half their time calming down everyone's -- how did you put it -- ruffled feathers. Not something they should be wasting their time on as a manager, if you are as good as you say.

The 12-step programs have it right--the first step toward solving your problem is admitting that you have one. You're not going to, though--you're just going to keep spinning these stories with yourself as the poor, put-upon heroine who has done all the right things and is punished anyways because of all those bad, lazy people who are mean and those incompetent managers who can't figure out how to effectively deploy you because no one understands how special you truly are. And your audience will always have enough familiarity with those archetypes to buy into what you're saying--you've got a lot of supporters here already! Well, not all of us are buying it. I can spot women like you a mile off. If I hear even a whiff of self-pity in an interview, you are done.

Red flags:

[b]Self-pity[/b]
I'm sad and depressed, and writing this after a sleepless night filled with tears.
Maybe because of my specialized experience, the only offers I got were from my old agency. I accepted a position that was below my former grade
I'm feeling rather punished for having done a good job.
This is not a new experience, as at times in the past, I've also experienced backlash at this agency for doing something well. 
I don't have the kind of network and support I used to. 
I remember when I first ran into the "Tall Poppy Syndrome" in government
I'm really, really sad to be where I'm at right now.
I do feel somewhat betrayed and left hanging.

[b]Hands over your ears[/b]
So, if you want to be snarky, could you please go somewhere else to post? 
I'd welcome any constructive, kind advice.

[b]
Blaming others[/b]
I've been periodically dinged for being "too smart." 
Henry told me that he felt he made mistake in giving a new staff member such high profile assignments.
There are three people who have been organizing and fomenting the sentiment against me.
Henry's taken away any real choice in the matter, anyway.

[b]Making excuses for why you don't have to listen to/respect others[/b]
 the new boss was of a different type - someone who had gotten where he was by marking time and not offending anyone. 
He was older, and he was very threatened by me. 
He acknowledges that this is pure professional insecurity and jealousy
He told me on our first meeting (i.e. before we even started working together) that I was too young for the job. 
My co-workers seemed initially friendly, but I noticed some cooling off in recent weeks....a number of the staff are deeply resentful and feel that he's playing favorites, giving me assignments that rightfully should have gone to one of them. 
He said he pointed out my experience and expertise, which made no impression on the complainants. 
Henry's promised me that he'll give me more high profile assignments ...it seems unrealistic to think that he'll ever feel comfortable managing a team... 
[/quote]

This poster has hit the nail on the head.

- Your current boss TOLD you that you needed to work on building relationships.  
Your co-workers were nice initially, but then turned on you?  Have you looked at your interactions with them?  Is it possible that your interactions could be causing your issues?  
Use this opportunity to grow.  Another poster mentioned inviting your coworkers out to lunch.  DO that.  AND listen to them.  Make it about THEM.  Not about YOU.

Not everyone is jealous of you.  Try looking at things from other peoples perspectives.  It might help.  
[/quote]

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