ADVICE: "HELP! Am I at work or on Big Brother?!"

 Good Evening, Lovelies! 💓

One thing you can start expecting from panache.,  is an advice segment once per week. I want to create a safe space for you beautiful people to seek a different perspective or gain clarity on any situation(s) in your personal or professional lives! 

To facilitate this mentioned safe space, I will redact names, likeness or any identifying information of anyone who writes into our blog or has a conversation with us. WE DO NOT GOSSIP OR SIP TEA HERE NOR SEND HATE OF ANY KIND. IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Growth and helping our fellow peeps get on the right path is strictly our intention. So, without further adieu, let's give this a go: 

"I am absolutely fed up with my job and learned something new today that made me feel so sick I could've thrown up. I began a new role a couple of months ago and everything seemed great, or so I thought. My new boss would compliment me, ask for my opinions, invited me on work trips and important meetings. It seemed like him and the rest of the team truly valued me and my work, but I recently learned from a co-worker that he intends on hiring a supervisor for me. (I am on management level) So, I am confused....  do you think I am getting fired or what? He's shared with me during a few confidential discussions in the past that he'd like to fire others, but then doesn't so, I am unsure what to make of this. I know you have experience with startups so what is your take? What do you think is going on here? Obviously, any tips you have to navigate this difficult time is invited, because I am at a loss for words. Thanks, Brig!"

Answer: 

In reference to my favorite reality show, it almost sounds like you're in the Big Brother House! So fun to watch, but not how you should aspire to live your life. What I mean by that, is the constant paranoia that lingers as you wonder if this is the week you will get voted out by the very own house guests who told you that you have nothing to worry about this week and think you're safe and then... BOOM! You've been backdoor'ed by a 10-0 vote and evicted. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, look it up, it's a brutal game!) However, that's exactly what that is... a game. Do you want to know what is not a game? Your livelihood. This is NOTHING to play around with. I cannot stress enough how communication is key, because when there is a lack of, people can take certain narratives and run so far with them that it can be counterproductive, even harmful. Its fair to say that I have no idea what's going on here, and it does sound odd, but on the other hand of it, I do not fully understand the needs of your organization and the business objectives around it. That being said, being in startup land for so long, it's a common practice to have your "wish list" hiring plan (the people that you cannot quite afford yet, but once funding is secured, you're able to pull the trigger on hiring decisions) which could've been well established long before you joined the team, or perhaps as they become more uniformed in their internal organizations, they want to have an exec for each department so it all doesn't fall on the CEO or Founder's shoulders... (i.e. - CTO, CISO, CMO, CRO, CFO, COO, etc.) This is pretty standard for growth and doesn't necessarily mean that you are "doing a bad job" or they intend to fire you. I know I am purely speculating based on the info provided, but I'd say its more likely that it's time to expand, and understanding the company's funding status will give color to this portrait, so if you're unaware, I'd get down to the bottom of that immediately. 

HOWEVER, I want to point out a few red flags. Again, with the limited context given, 1) YOUR BOSS SHOULD NEVER discuss anything that impacts you or pertains to your work, role, etc. with another co-worker before he/she sits you down and has a conversation with you about it first. This is wildly inappropriate. 2) YOUR BOSS SHOULD NEVER talk about others with you! Especially in an ill manner. If he/she wants to "fire someone" they should take that up with them or say nothing about it at all and just do it. That is NOT okay, and if it's not enough to quit doing this because it's immoral and hurtful to others, then stop because this is a major HR violation, and should said employee catch wind of that and report them, your boss will have fun explaining that for investigation purposes. Funny how this thing kind of went full circle here, almost like a cheating spouse, "if they do it with you, they will do it to you"... In other words, if he/she runs their mouth about them, chances are they are doing the same to you. Do not get mixed up in that again! The best policy is to disengage when he/she wants to speak on other people. Not saying you said anything negative back in the exchange, but you do not need your name in the middle of drama, distractions or being thrown under the bus by someone just by participating. 

My best advice for you and the sake of your peace in the work place is to have a conversation with your boss laying everything out there on the table and get on the same page. Be prepared for the conversation to go in ANY direction, because this solely depends on the type of person and leader you're dealing with. Your boss's response to this sit down will tell you everything you need to know. If they're accountable, explain the business objectives/funding status, want to move forward by respecting boundaries and even apologizes, then I'd probably stay because that is strong character. If your boss throws others under the bus, becomes irate, blames the person who told you, chalks it up as a "rumor" or doesn't give you a straight or direct answer, cut your losses and find a new job. You cannot work with personality disorder that has low emotional intelligence, because this would just be indication for a long, nasty, vicious cycle that will not only destroy your success, but your mental health too. 

I hope this insight is helpful and interested in hearing about how your conversation goes. Keeping you in my thoughts and sending you all the best vibes. 

xoxo, 

Brig