Dear Madeleine, I’ve recently been promoted to my first managerial role. Prior to my promotion, I had been an individual contributor here for more than 14 years. My new role has me climbing a steep learning curve because I am not working in the same group I had been in before. I’m not worried about…
Dear Madeleine, I am a manager of a large team. I like my work, the mission of the company is meaningful, and we make a difference in the world. I have a reputation for being a good manager and getting things done on time and under budget. My boss, who is fairly new—and, frankly, in…
Dear Madeleine, I am a regional VP in a global asset management firm. I am stationed far away from headquarters as I am responsible for all of the projects in my region. My boss and his boss hold regular conference calls I am expected to attend. I am often tasked with presenting plans and budgets…
I woke up this morning to a face full of licking and paws on my chest. Now, Chico isn’t a small dog—he’s a bull terrier who was described as “one big muscle” by a guy on his way to work today. So his stepping on my stomach didn’t just pull me out of my dreams,…
Dear Madeleine, I’m a senior leader in the marketing department of a large consumer goods company and I report to the VP of operations. My boss is tough as nails and pays attention only to numbers, not people. I can’t stand her style. I’m much more of a people person and I believe that the…
Dear Madeleine, I’m a regional VP of sales for a very high-pressure software company. My people are amazing. We have reached goal every year for the last five years and are 100% to goal right now, at the beginning of Q2. My people are not my problem; my problem is that I can’t seem to…
Dear Madeleine, My boss never gives anyone else any credit. It’s driving us all crazy. We recently completed an almost impossible job for him with an absurd deadline and very little direction. He didn’t give us any feedback along the way until swooping in at the last minute with all kinds of changes. A couple…
