Transferred to a new manager recently, whom I literally cannot communicate with like a normal person. He thinks he is so intelligent, but has trouble speaking English clearly. Moreover, most of his feedback and work requests are verbal only. Several of us have asked for him to provide his requests in writing, but instead he will call us and stammer and babble through what he wants done. This person has managed to work in this mode for over a decade, I do not know how. Literally disgusted. I'm working a project on a weekend, based on notes I took from a nasty conversation had late Friday evening San Jose time. I literally haven't worked for anyone like this; apparently very well connected (he has survived many LR cycles), but will not write out basic instructions, nor reply in writing on deliverable requirements. What can I or should I do?
21 replies (most recent on top)
@ge you can’t transfer if you’re on a PIP.
Why are there so many "managers"?
Having too many is not innovating. Not very autonomous. Oh well.
@OP - no weekly check-in for you? This should all be documented to leave a work trail.
That is crazy. Always document directives from a manager, especially technical requirements. Include these in your weekly status updates in writing to your manager. That way he is responsible for saying that is not what he asked for or he can say thank you for accomplishing a task. Some managers are just too busy to document everything, so you have to.
@ge+1jya586m4, it was not a PIP. The transfer was not instigated by me; yes it can essentially be said that this was a forced transfer. I really don't want to give much more detail. Thanks for everyone's advice. I really do not want to deal with this person whatsoever, especially after the global events of this weekend. Some people truly do not need have anything to do with attempting to manage. Inept. Incoherent. Still completely baffled how this person has been placed in a senior role. Not sure how much I can tollerate. Would look for another job, but seems nowhere to go. This might be time to leave.
Rookie mistake. Investigate a manager before transferring to a new team. Were you on a PIP and forced to transfer?
go to the office since we are RTO. While he is working in his office, ask him politely to have a private conversation with him and insist that it cant wait.
After you have his full attention take a dump on his desk and maintain eye contact. At that point, just leave for the day and hope for the best.
cc his manager. He will have no choice but to reply via email. Exposed!
@OP is being pushed on to next LR chopping block ... cc'ing his manager won't change anything.. use your brain, how do think this guy become manager without his manager's (or some other parasite above) support.
Sounds just like my boss! Clueless guy surrounded by sycophants. Always texts me or calls me at odd hours, including weekends.
Manager can't speak English well implies his English writing skills is also in the gutter. If he writes in broken English, then this will be on the record. Communicate with him via email and cc his manager. He will have no choice but to reply via email. Exposed!
Sorry for spelling. English is my second language.
@b3 learn how to spell first. ‘Ridiculous’.
@b3 So is average English writing ability. “Rediculous” is equally ridiculous.
Your situation is common at most tech companies. Don't expect accountability from this person. They are members of a clan, without empathy or accountability. I asked AI your question verbatim and here's what I got -
"
Are there specific issues you’re dealing with, or do you just feel like the whole dynamic is a struggle?
"
(against your heading)
"
- Embrace the ‘Buffer’ Role
"
(against the body of your post. The other five will get you canned.)
Point is, see if you can find another role outside of cisco. That place will not be any different, unless you get out of tech.
I dont/didnt work for cisco and english is not my first language. Best.
Rediculous. If managing from the USA, and most of your team is located in USA, at lease average English speaking ability is a prerequisite. Period.
how did you end up under this manager? i assume transferred means not by yourself but via re-org, if so your new manager and friends are working hard to put you on next chopping block...
We must work for the same guy!
Not knowing English well has nothing to do with this so stop that nonsense, there are many brilliant people to work with at Cisco who can barely form a good sentence.
This makes me sad. Competent people are being pushed out and he gets to stay. The job market is tough and I have been looking for months, but the jobs I was able to find are just awful. I will just stay here until I am kicked out.
Definitely don't talk to your new mgr about it. Having a difficult conversation with the person causing you stress is never the right way to go. Continue complaining to everyone else, except the person who can effect change. You should have already escalated to his boss without talking to your Mgr first; your initiative and boldness will be appreciated by everyone involved.
And be supremely confident that this has nothing to do with you. You're communicating in the most ideal way possible, and the new Mgr is an id--t for not recognizing it.
I’d either ask for a skip level with his manager OR forward over your requests for the work tasks he is giving you to his manager and have them address it. Most are afraid to go to their bosses boss but I’ve done it twice and the person in question attitude, mood and tone changed almost immediately.