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I specifically left the ultra corporate world because I couldn't function in it. I now work in a general industry that celebrates freedom of expression (bad jokes, swearing, and most importantly being genuine). My department has been generally protected by the corporatization of my company by a extremely well respected manager for years! When we were in the weeds, he was the first one lending a hand! He recently got promoted to a different department, and now we are stuck with someone who is classic corporate. Dotes on the laziest of the bunch, because in the managers eyes they focus on the "soft skills" while the lazy one shluffs their real job onto the rest of us. It's a male dominated industry, and I'm female. I should note the particular lazy one is also female. The only other one on my team, and my new manager is also female. I've worked my ass off for 10 years in this industry to get where I'm at. I'm more technically skilled in experience, and on paper than my lazy counterpart, but I've been seeing her shoulder tapped time and time again. I think what I'm ultimately asking is why is this the go to thing? Why does this type of management seem to prevail?  The general consensus amongst my coworkers is that they'd work 10 times harder for the previous manager and even some make a point to work less for the new manager. Seems to be a counter intuitive management style. It's also been brought up in just about everyone's reviews that we notice the shift, and it's not going well.  Also this type of management seems to breed a type of deception. I'm blown away at how much less productive my team is literally intentionally being because of our new manager, but I don't blame any of them. (I have not changed one single iota one way or another.) how do I survive this? Can I survive this without changing my philosophical beliefs? I'm all for the general win of the company! Sincerely! That's what the previous manager was all about! But now I feel like I'm fighting a corporate ghoul!

sophie74's picture
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Hi froggy321,

I was reading you and I am living similar situation these days at work.  Not easy.  I admire that you are still keeping a great work ethic in all of this.   I don't have any tips as I am not as experienced as a professional who can give advice.  However, after listening so many podcast I can hear Mark Horstman saying "stay frosty" :) and I think you are already doing it.  We can't change a culture in a new management unfortunately.   I wish you good luck and keep it up! 

pucciot's picture
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There will always be difficulties working for a new manager.

As Mark and Mike say - that there may be more than one way to do things - and often the other way is just as good.

It sounds like you really care about your job your work and the success of the company.

That is a good thing.

My suggestion about how you survive.

 

Stop :

* Stop "fighting" -- what are you fighting ?  Where is the fight ?  It sounds like the fight you are having is with yourself.

Are you really fighting your manager ?
Are you really fighting your co-worker ?

There is no fight here.  There is only the job.   

* Stop casting negative characterizations on your Co-workers and Manager -- "Ghoul" and "lazy"
You will be happier for stopping this, I promise.

Assume Positive Intent - always assume positive intent.

 

There is effective behavior and ineffective behavior.
What you are describing is "ineffective behavior".   OK -- then it would be better for your to call it like that ...

Assume Positive intent - and - consider their behavior as ineffective.

 

Give grace :
Give grace to your new manager.
Are they new to the role ?  It sounds like they have a lot to learn about management.

Build relationship:

OK - if your Manager likes Soft Skills - then work on your Soft skills.

Your manager is the Boss.

Make your Boss happy.

There is one relationship that you must, must, must get right in your organization, and it is with your Manager.

===
Little story – I started telling my employees that relationships and soft skills were an important part of the job.
I had one employee that complained about it since the very beginning.

After two years of telling them this and even putting it on their annual appraisals, we came into a conflict where he said that building & retaining positive relationships was not part of his job.

I informed him that I’m the manager and I determine what the job is.

He said he didn’t see it in writing.

Two weeks later I presented him with a new job description that included, in writing, the phrase

“* Must build and retain positive relationships “

Now I put this phrase on every Job Description.

--- Please don’t let your relationship with your manager get to this point.

====

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Build relationship with the co-worker that you are not to happy about.  Find something in common.  Be open to small talk with them.
You don't have to be a best friend, but you can improve the relationship.

Wish them well.  Pray for them and their family.  – Do this and I promise things will improve in some way.

------
Focus on the Job Performance --- 
Performance is Both - Results and Relationships

The management has changed -- thus the Job has changed.  You may have to re-tool a little bit to survive.

I Wish you Good Luck:

Here are 3 Podcasts to give perspective:

Relationship Errors: Not Putting Your Relationship With Your Boss First

https://www.manager-tools.com/2015/08/relationship-errors-not-putting-your-relationship-your-boss-first

 

Managing Your Boss- Part 1 (Hall Of Fame Guidance)

https://www.manager-tools.com/2006/01/managing-your-boss

 

Dealing With Colleagues Who Don't Pull Their Weight

https://www.manager-tools.com/2010/10/dealing-colleagues-who-dont-pull-their-weight