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Interference from senior co-workers

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by one_night_man

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I am a new IT Manager in a respected co. My problem is not technical but is related to management and inter-personal relations. Being the new guy in the co. I lack some experience in the internal procedures of the company, as well as in management in general. Some of my senior co-workers and managers are making use of this to interfere in my work as an IT Manager, and this is really bothering me. All the technical skills and courses you take don't really help in these situations. Any ideas ?

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by lordinfidel

Don't piss the senior guy's off yet until you are more established.

I say this because it would not be wise at this point to go over their heads.

At this point you need to feel them out, get to know them. The best way would be to ask them questions about how to do things. Ask for their advice.

Once you get your-self situated in the processes of the company, then you can start making waves.

As a mgr you are in a hard place because you need to be able to manage and be respected, butyou can't have others undermining your position. There may be some resentment that you are the IT Mgr.

Find some allies in the company and get the scoop on what the deal is.

by road-dog

Have a heart to heart talk with the block above you in the org chart. Clearly define your area of responsibility and sphere of influence. This needs to be done in the context of an eagerness to succeed, not as a complaint. Explain how you desire to be an effective advocate for your boss's interests. If you do not, you might be perceived as ineffective, and jeopardize your position.

With a list of responsibilities in hand, begin to get up to speed on policies and procedures relating to those areas first. This will facilitate and expedite your consolidation of power. This is priority one. Then you will feel more comfortable in asserting yourself.

When an intruder At your level or below (AYLOB) attempts to cut in on you, use the list ofresponsibilities to justify your opposition with your boss. Do so in such a way as to show the intrusion in HIS empire. Concisely explain how this AYLOB is interfering with your department, but in an assertive way. Then let him handle the problem ata peer level through his counterpart in the other department. If nothing else, a clearer definition of HIS area of responsibility might result.

If an at your level or above (AYLOA) is the culprit, then point out how this is undercutting your boss. He may well handle the problem for self preservation, if nothing else. Your actions may be perceived as "watching his back" and allow you greater trust.

You will lose the respect of your subordinates if you do not succeed. I have worked for ineffective Managers, and they are a morale crusher. When you protect yourself, you are securing the careers of your subordinates as well. This will not go unnoticed by your subordinates and raise morale. A little "Us vs Them" is a good thing, as departments go.

Please tell me if you feel this will help. I fear it might be overly simplistic.I'd like to hear other responses as well.

by storme

Road-dog has several good points in his/her advice. But, I thought when a new IT manager is hired, he/she would be given a list of detailed responsibilities that concur with the company's mission and business objectives. I also agree that keeping a list of detailed responsibilities on hand is very useful to defend your position if you're being questioned for certain things you do.

I worked for a manager who has an 'outdated' view on the roles of his employees beneath him. He even allowed three co-workers (at my level) 'special' privileges to access manager-only accounts and consult with developers. Their performance, realistically, was below average. I personally felt his decision wasn't fair, visibly undermining the others' hard work and efforts to stand out in our research department. I've seen my other colleagues' morale sink to nothing when he allowed his favorite minions special privileges.

I made a huge wave throughout the company by addressing the issues to the upper management. I wasn't in it for the money or glory, I was in for the pure joy of helping clients with their problems effectively using ALL resources available. When I left my company, department managers were given new responsibilities and told totreat their employees equally. I heard there were major changes done because of one guy who had an 'outdated' view on his employees below him.

I advise you to ask yourself questions: Why is one senior colleague undermining my new job and what'shis/her motive? What resources can I use to help resolve the issue without raising hell? If your senior colleague was jealous because he/she was turned down in favor of you being hired for an IT management job, that's a big problem. Seek out helpfrom Human Resources on your best options to resolve your problems.

Good luck.

by one_night_man

Thanks for all your replies. Road-dog, I like your step by step approach. I think that the best thing I can do, is to talk to the boss about it, from the context of 'eagerness to succeed'. Especially that these guys don't have the technical skills required.
Storme, the reasons of these people are nothing but personal; First they have nothing better to do. Second, one of them is jealous of me taking over this position instead of his relative. The other one had one of my current responsibilities (the telephone switching system) and it was taken from him before I came (this is how he interfered - I still lack experience in this area but I'm working on it).
I guess this is an inevitable phase for every new comer. But I am worried that if I don't take appropriate action my position would be undermined.

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