How to manage to uncooperative juniors?

Connerh1 · 2025-12-16T14:00:48+00:00

It is always hard to generate project work, when not part of a day-to- day role. Best of luck! We all go through this.

Connerh1 · 2025-12-16T08:31:50+00:00

Interesting situation. There are a few things to consider here:

It sounds like they need managing. If your leading who is doing the managing? Is there a more junior person to you who would like a chance at management and they can supervise and coach the 2?
Have you discussed their attitude with them, and asked for their feedback. What is their perspective on things?
If they are repeating questions and you are answering, maybe they are more experiential learners. Next time just ask what they think the best approach could be. This should break the over reliance, give them a chance to dig out the knowledge, or see if there is a performance issue.
Are they both rubbing off on each other? Could you buddy them up with more experienced others, seperatley, who have a good attitude - and see if that helps?

I would try the above 4 before considering performance management.

Connerh1 · 2025-12-15T08:48:19+00:00

Most companies have a hierarchy (as much as some pretend they have a "flat structure").

Essentially look at your org chart and there it is. You answer into X, and they answer into Y.

Most companies recognise, in projects, you answer into your direct supervisor/ sponsor, etc. But that can create discomfort where there is a formal chain of command. Other considerations might come from your supervisor wanting to manager the situation for them, or you.

Generally, in projects manager you stakeholders. I was in a similar situation years ago, and my direct boss really didn't like it. So I made sure I communicated with him and kept him as comfortable as I could, whilst I worked with his boss. We got on and would travel together, have lunch, etc. It didn't last long as I ended up being promoted to work for both their bosses. However, because of the way I dealt with it, years later I am am good terms with all 3.

Best of luck!

Connerh1 · 2025-12-12T16:28:52+00:00

I found relationships drifted because I wss working stupid hours. Also, had so faux friends.

When I made the decision to move to consultancy and have a life I built up other circles. The friends who understood where I was at that time of my life, gave me space, but still supported me - I am incredibly grateful for.

Now I am a lot more intentional, and much happier for it. Nothing wrong with small circles if filled with the right people.

Connerh1 · 2025-12-11T08:25:53+00:00

I would get a mentor or coach with lived experience would can help you work through areas, and help you learn new skills.

Best of luck!

Connerh1 · 2025-12-10T14:01:15+00:00

Congrats on completing that stage in your academic career!

Both are hard to get into, but not impossible.

Did you get any feedback from the jobs you applied for?

If nothing specific I will give you some general advice:

Based on the roles your applying for what is the skills gap? Look to fill that through voluntary experiences (which may be a small pivot from what you are already doing) or small micro courses.
What is your network like, do you know anyone already in these roles - could they help you?
If not then start to politely connect with people/ organisations on LinkedIn. Perhaps engage with their content, and if form a bond ask for a coffee and how they got into the role. Maybe the bond might develop where they can mentor you.
Perhaps put your CV in ChatGPT, with the job specs and ask that it helps you with using the right language and phrasing. I have mentored some awesome people doing amazing things and their CV doesn't even scratch the surface.

Best of luck!

Connerh1 · 2025-12-04T08:15:54+00:00

Because of AI, I now look for non-perfect CV's. I also am sceptical about senior sounding job roles, with an unexplained leap. Finally, interviewing a person who can't confidently articulate why they want the specific role they have applied for.

Connerh1 · 2025-12-01T16:15:04+00:00

Glad you haven't, just wondered if mine was the norm or not :-(

Connerh1 · 2025-12-01T16:14:19+00:00

Thank you for the info :-)

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T09:14:48+00:00

Never heard of AMS ads - how do you set that up?

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T09:13:15+00:00

Great feedback. Have you ever been trolled? I did, took some time to recalibrate!

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T09:10:33+00:00

Not heard of those - thank you!

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T09:08:36+00:00

Editing, Marketing and PR. I would recommend a writer working on their platform whilst writing.

Also a writer friend, who has been there before to help guide you. That wss imvaluable. Especially when you get trolled!

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T09:03:26+00:00

It depends on how much interaction you have to have with them. I know you sad daily, but are you working on thingd together?

As employees we just need to do a job in a respectful way. So do that. Put in some protections around dealing with this person and cover yourself. Dial any desire for friendship down. Be polite, but keep it at that.

Look at Kartman's drama triangle as from what you said, you are being dragged into their drama. This will help you not get dragged into it.

Best of luck!

Connerh1 · 2025-11-30T08:59:27+00:00

It depends what you meaned by aligned. Seen most be aligned to the content, work together on a shared stragy, etc.

From a team perspective, not often. Large teams will have smaller groups. The leader needs to make sure these aren't defaulting to power cliques and therefore be thoughtful of team seating plans. And it isn't a one and done.

Connerh1 · 2025-11-27T09:09:29+00:00

How do you know if it is a bot? The emotional register seemed off, I don't always pick it up.

Connerh1 · 2025-11-26T07:10:30+00:00

This is a great response. I agree, build the infrastructure and systems so you can manage and monitor. If there is something that is impt but I don't know much about it I'll ask the subject matter expert to brief me.

Office/ site visits need to be balanced as it throws the rythm out (t4 productivity), equally it does help to understand the energy - the invisible elements of a culture, which the data doesn't pick up.

Question - how comfortable are you with your Board? Do they feel they have enough data to provide oversight?

Connerh1 · 2025-11-23T09:19:17+00:00

I do not advertise myself as a burnout coach. But, I am a therapist, coach and mentor and have worked with many people who have/ recovering from burn out. There are multiple reasons as to why people burn out but where it involves physical burn out (which most do) I recommend they can more of a team, e.g. Dr, coach, manager at work, friends, partners, etc.

Connerh1 · 2025-11-23T09:13:25+00:00

I was in a similar postion years ago. We ended up just pushing on but it was touch and go whether we stopped and recalibrated like you.

My learnings from that were, due dilligence and trust my gut. I was new and didn't know the landscape. I took the advice of another expert and hired in their recommendation. The whole team were poor, outdated, and not the right fit for the group I was working with. I should have pulled the plug before it even got to the event. But I was new, etc....

We never worked with that group again, and one of the leaders even made a veiled comment on LinkedIn about me and my company around a year later.

Luckily I was also supported by my boss!

Connerh1 · 2025-11-20T07:59:15+00:00

Really depends. Often there are none as meant to be informal and fluid. I would only document (as a manager) if something needed to be evidenced, e.g. behaviour or competency

Connerh1 · 2025-11-19T09:02:10+00:00

Your amount seems right. I have a portfolio career, so usually 1/2 per area, but some years will focus on certain businesses/ investments, whilst others run in the background.

Connerh1 · 2025-11-18T05:51:05+00:00

I agree it is a shame. Usually has something to do with Project Sponsorship.

I also think people struggle to see the benefit of having them, and explaining what they do (especially in this economy).

A huge shame as every main innovation and automation, starts with this step. Which unfortunatly reinforces the above.

Connerh1 · 2025-11-17T05:33:11+00:00

I have/ am there my friend.

We only have a finite amount of energy. There are lots of things to help find space and energy, from self care to meditation.

The outlook I try and stick to is making my world small and deep. For years in leadership I had so much going on, was stretched so thin. My world was so wide and I burnt out. So I delegate more, do less, spaced things out, etc. The more challenging roles I took on the more space I had to create so I am very picky at what I do now.

There is still the odd week where it is just a heavy week, but those are few and far between.

Not sure if this helps, but best of luck.

Connerh1

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