All managers I've had so far at WFC (I've been here four years and had three managers in that time) either didn't know or didn't care to communicate properly with their direct reports. This can be a real problem when I need feedback on a certain issue and even when I ask for it I rarely get it. Is this the WFC culture? Or am I supposed to figure everything out on my own?
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@OP+1ajZtD8W ”Wells Culture” is a contradiction in terms.
I have had amazing managers at wells fargo and horrible managers. The horrible managers have all been in the same area of the bank. This area of the bank is highly toxic and supportive of the good old boys network. They actively dismiss what the company wants to achieve, circumvent security, compliance and best practices and run around like cowboys in areas of data that is HIGHLY reviewed by the FDIC. You won't know this is going on unless you are close to it as they cover very, very well.
@1vgt, same boat as you. My previous manager was great and was laid off. The current one has not spoken to me since 5 months. She dose the even know what I am working on. Keeps canceling my 1:1. 😒
My former managers were great at communicating and they were sent packing. My current one barely talked to me unless he had to, but then again he has 40 people under him which is ridiculous, so I can’t fault him.
The ICs can be pretty noncommunicative too. It’s just the culture, people would rather own information than make things more efficient by sharing it. Somebody some months back on this board had gone to some effort to put together notes on how something worked and was really upset at the idea of making it available to a trainee, because that would give them the knowledge without them having to work for it. There was just no reasoning with the guy.
Yes yes, ICs are great communicators but management stinks at it. lol. This place is great for laughs.
The reason managers can be that way is because they know they can get away with it. their employees will put up with it and never dare to leave. Why should they change?
I am the newest team member of my team and also the only one who is not scared to de–habout losing my job. Everyone is like a robot and fearful. They are very submissive and keep things to themselves. It’s unbelievable that they can work there for years under that kind of treatment and never want to quit.
Managers at Wells just want their people do what they told to do. Do EXACTLY what they want. No questions asked. They don’t think you need to know anything else.
Previous manager: you are not the problem. We have a couple of engineers who are pals with the boss’s boss’s direct report who knows the scoop on where things are going, and someone else who can piece through the contradictory stories our direct managers are giving out, and their combined effort tells the senior engineers what to prepare for. We get our info through back channels and water cooler talk. Most of us would rather cut code than be in a Game of Thrones subplot but this is how we have to deal with reality. I have been in meetings with the boss and boss’s boss where it was clear what the plan was, and the boss just doesn’t bother to convey the information to the group. No idea why.
It is a bit unfortunate. I am a manager of a small team in tech. I have personally believed in being as transparent as possible with my team throughout my career. This being only my third year at Wells, I often get chided by my peers (mainly long standing managers) that I talk too much. I often ended up second guessing if I was the problem. Apparently not! Your post, while depressing, gives me hope that this is a legacy problem and some of us are the solution. Thank you for bringing this up- I am not going to be secretive whatever my legacy manager colleagues may say!
I have had the same experience, it is a source of contol for them, so they can control employees easier and the employees wont go for their jobs.
This tells you they are insecure people who do such insecure behaviors.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Nothing new here.
I’ve had the same experience. The attitude seems to be that information is currency to be hoarded. When you give up information you give away your power.
Secrecy is strength.
Interesting to know it’s not just my rather insular group.