Some blame managers for everything, even for things that managers cannot influence at all. What do you think, how big is the power of managers here?
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The one thing about Fiserv that I like is my Manager. Always good to his employees, even sends small holiday gifts and birthday cards. Very caring about his associates and very flexible. However, he doesn't have any say in the decisions that constantly come from above him....people that don't understand the team, the functions it performs, or how things work. They only understand spreadsheets, badge swipe reports, and sapience.
Managers, especially those who were oFS, are as heartbroken as we are about what this once great company has become.
Why do we even have managers? Interesting question. As a people leader there are things we can’t control coming from C level but there is a lot we can. I understand not all leaders are created equal but I go to bat for my directs daily from escalations to different teams to helping manage their workloads and creating justifications when additional headcount is needed. It is also our job as leaders to develop and uplift our teams to tap into their potential so they can grow and progress within the company or elsewhere. If your leader isn’t doing this and you have to question why even have one then perhaps your leader is failing you. We don’t always have the ability to do everything we want for our directs ie permanent work from home but I know I am constantly funneling up this feedback to C suite now whether they listen or not is where it bottlenecks. Lastly, and the absolute worst part of being a people leader is we have to execute on a decision well above our heads and tell people we work side by side with they no longer have a job. The powers at the top conveniently skip out on that part. I got notified that we had to let one of my directs go weeks ago and trust me I didn’t sleep knowing I had to. It’s at times a thankless job but someone has to do it. Sorry for the rant
The real question is, "why do we even have managers?" If nothing they say matters, why do we have them at all?
Once you join the management crew, you give up some things.
Me, personally, I would prefer doing the 'overseer' style v. the 'whipmaster.'
But people see what gets them ahead and it's generally the latter style that does it.
there is only one opinion that matters, and he sits in one broadway.
Sad to say managers have very limited power in the game of Fiserv. With the huge exception of showing human kindness, concern, caring, and doing what they can to make a positive difference in their associate's lives. Something the C level does not get and will never understand. 61
I know it's limited because my manager and my skip-manager want to allow their reports to work remotely full time, but they are not permitted to make that decision unfortunately. Why the CEO is the one deciding whether people can work remotely makes zero sense to me. Seems like a decision best left to managers, or directors at the worst.
Extremely limited.