Comments on: When Your Supervisor Goes Back on Their Word

By: Reka Domokos

Reka Domokos — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:19:53 +0000

I found Joseph’s response to this extremely useful. Unfortunately, I can see myself in “Stuck”.

By: T

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:11:38 +0000

Working out the Plan B’s helps you look at best and worst case scenarios and figure out what you will do as a result. Once you look at those possibilities and know you have a plan you will feel empowered and prepared – it is amazing how much more confident you will feel when you know what your options are. I’ve been through a similar scenario and wound up having to implement my plan B, which included leaving a job I really enjoyed. My new job was a great blessing for me and 25+ years later, I still look back on that experience as a great (and positive) turning point in my life!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:15:18 +0000

In reply to Barbara Pilarcik. What a great mnemonic- I'll definitely be sharing YAHOO!.

By: David Benjamin

David Benjamin — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 02:08:11 +0000

A Similar thing happened to me in the past.
As a hardware Engineer I wanted to move into a new role as a software developer. I had made my desires known to my boss but to no avail.
So I looked outside the organization and found found that role.
When I raised my plan to leave with my boss, he promised me that there was no need for me to leave, he could arrange it. So I turned down the other offer.
After many months past I was still in my current role, when I raised it with my boss he said “the situation has changed and that there was no opportunity for me for that role I wanted anymore.
About a year latter I found another opportunity elsewhere. I gave my 4 week notice for resignation. My boss approached me and ask why?
I told him I wanted that other role. Again I was told that there was no need to leave it can be provided for me right here. I could not trust in any promises. So I said, I will withdraw my notice of resignation once I’m in that new role!
After four weeks noting had changed and this time I got out!

By: Barbara Pilarcik

Barbara Pilarcik — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:19:37 +0000

A wise woman once said to me, when things are looking bleak, to remember to say YAHOO! You Always Have Other Options! Do the Plan B’s and then you will have a much better sense of your YAHOOS in life.

By: Joseph Weru

Joseph Weru — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:35:03 +0000

In reply to Kathleen Schomaker. One can also use those powerful market forces if they have positioned themselves through hard work and see themselves as exceptionally resourceful to widen their options.

By: George R Wilhelmsen

George R Wilhelmsen — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 18:44:37 +0000

I think Mr. Grenny’s advice was spot-on, and a good way to start the discussion.

This may have been driven by someone higher in the organization who lacked confidence in the candidate, and her manager who did not have the gumption to support the candidate in this proposed role.

Changes like this are seldom (in my experience) because the manager wants to. There are always exceptions to any situations, of course.

By: Kay Moughler

Kay Moughler — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:59:43 +0000

Get promises in writing! I have been verbally promised a specific role for the future as well as other things under my current leadership that have been pulled away, changed, etc. When I respectfully inquired about the failure to follow through I was told there was no recollection of that conversation, or that things changed and I wasn’t owed an explanation about why they changed. Ultimately I learned that nothing stated by leader(s) is to be taken too seriously and that they are not necessarily trustworthy. I survive by deciding how to invest my time and energy into said promises (not at all at this point) and succeed solely on my own merits. My organization does allow anonymous feedback annually of our leadership, so that is an opportunity to safely voice concerns.

By: Kathleen Schomaker

Kathleen Schomaker — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:53:24 +0000

Appreciate the respectful empowerment of Joseph Grenny’s comments.
Concerned that not all weakness derives from individual reluctance; powerful market forces often overwhelm personal inner resources,
Nevertheless, this is great guidance on how to marshall those inner resources to personal advantage, growth and development.

Many thanks!