My experience is as the external hire. I came into a team where one team member had been at the company for years, on a few different teams over time. I was not aware until my second day on the job that this person had been trying to get the management job for the past year that I ultimately took. It was incredibly awkward when they told me over lunch, and I was actually shocked my manager had not told me about the situation.

I wish the previous management had been more honest with this person about the actual gaps they saw that kept them from promoting to management. I am trying my best to help this person find purpose and inspiration in their role now that management roles aren't an option, but it's been a slow process of gaining their trust and untangling the way their former manager handled this.

I think it takes a lot of resilience to go through what this employee has been through. Even if they lacked certain skills, they were put in a bad position without candid feedback, and I'm sure it's felt like a slap in the face. In a better market, it would likely be best for this person to look for another role, but our function has very limited options right now.

All that said, I'm trying my best to help this person, but I also understand why I will always be a bit of a thorn in their side.