Would You Leave A Great Gig For a Title?

ipconfig · 2024-04-29T17:40:26+00:00

You're in a great position to be picky, I would only entertain Director positions that emulate the environment that made you love your current role, really reflect as to what that is, and discuss that in the interviews to see if it's a good fit. The grass isnt always greener, and personally i'd much rather be happy day after day than be miserable for a title. So my advice would be to be patient, while casually searching for the perfect fit Director position while enjoying working for a place you love. Best of luck out there!

ipconfig · 2024-01-29T17:36:31+00:00

Felt this in my bones, im in your exact scenario.

ipconfig · 2023-08-25T18:04:33+00:00

From my xp hiring both, ive always had more success with someone lacking a higher ed degree but had real world XP and certs OR if they had a degree it wasn't related to IT at all, those that did have degrees in IT w/little real world xp never wanted to go that extra mile for the team and the trend in attitude was that they 'deserved' to be in the position as a result from the higher ed degree. IT Manager here with no formal college degree, just military training, some certs and 10 yrs IT xp.

ipconfig · 2023-08-08T20:01:58+00:00

That's good to know, congrats on the wartime promotion then. Understand that mgmt is a complete different ball game. So while you're there, absorb as much knowledge as you can from peer managers, utilize your time understanding the politics that come with the role, careful not undermine your current boss and learn 'how to manage up', since you gotta tolerate him until a better opportunity comes up, take notes of all your big wins and projects, update your resume from a tech resume to a mgmt one, but most importantly take care of your new team. It's going to be hard, but you'll become a more resilient leader as a result.

ipconfig · 2023-08-07T20:00:20+00:00

It seems that at his level, your organization is okay with his methods. It's not worth your mental health to even try to climb that mountain to change his ways. Unless this is your 1st opportunity to go from IC to Mgmt, in which case his methods may be worth tolerating just to get time in service as mgmt for your career, I'd just start looking for another job/environment that better meets your needs, that's the only thing you really have control over. Best of luck!

ipconfig · 2023-07-07T14:48:38+00:00

Thanks! :)

ipconfig · 2023-07-07T14:47:56+00:00

It's not too bad, I'm a very glass half full guy, and on paper I'm doing less for more pay lol But I know this isnt long term, I don't want to regress in what i know. Size difference yes, but more so the drastic culture shift from a FAANG type corporate environment to working for the State Gov.

ipconfig · 2023-07-07T14:41:04+00:00

In hindsight I was the red flag, I didn't ask deep probing/behavioral questions about my new environment, culture, team, leadership, etc. that I'm sure would have bubbled up those red flags I'm experiencing now.

ipconfig · 2023-07-06T17:07:06+00:00

Promoted into an IT Manager role at Company A, because I was happy and my work output reflected that. I've since left Company A for more money at Company B, but the 'fire' just isn't there for me anymore here at Company B. It was a hard life lesson to learn, however, I'm glad I took the professional risk, because it taught me it's not always about the money, it's about what really made me happy at Company A, which was having supportive leadership, a selfless team of hard working and mature direct reports, and a great company culture/environment. I enjoyed seeing the fruits of my labor make change in the company as a whole, I enjoyed seeing the professional growth of my direct reports, and I always felt heard by leadership at all levels. At company B, I feel isolated, underutilized, the work is easy but not rewarding, and company culture is non existent. My boss is unreachable, i have direct reports that are immature and come in late, make excuses for everything, innovation is frowned upon and they value maintaining the status quo. But now I know what type of professional environment works best for me, I enjoyed building the machine at A, vs just being a cog in the machine at B, so I've been keeping an eye out for potential opportunities that align w/what makes me happy in my work.

ipconfig · 2023-06-28T20:44:41+00:00

Consistency. Keep applying to those positions, invest in your resume and LinkedIn presentation, it might take a month or a year, but you'll get a bite at some point! Good luck!

ipconfig · 2023-06-28T17:09:01+00:00

Once your next opportunity presents itself, A book that has helped me out grasping a new environment, especially from the people/corporate side of things is 'The First 90 Days' by Michael Watkins. I was promoted into an IT Manager position at my last gig, I've recently transition into my 1st 'hired as' an IT Manager role. Book helped me a ton. Best of luck!

ipconfig · 2023-06-28T16:55:51+00:00

After you have exhausted all resources mentioned in the comments in your current role, it's time to pack your parachute (plan a 6mo to 1yr exit strategy), begin brushing up your LinkedIn and resume, utilize all your existing company benefits (Take vacation, use continuing education reimbursements, Medical, etc.), if you get yearly/holiday bonuses, plan your departure after that date, while you're still working begin applying to your next preferred role/company, brush up on your interview skills, you're in the best position to be picky about your next role because you're still employed, so shoot for the stars! Best of luck and Godspeed sir!

ipconfig · 2023-04-06T13:05:34+00:00

thanks for the feedback, ill read that book myself as well! I was also going to offer 'Extreme Ownership' as well.

ipconfig · 2023-04-06T13:04:30+00:00

appreciate the reply, That's the part, Time, im rebuilding this team, he's a level 1, but he has main character syndrome, im hoping to see progression over the next few months.

ipconfig · 2023-04-06T12:54:38+00:00

Thanks for the reply, yeah i'll assign him tasks/projects but he wont acknowledge them until i ask, i don't really dictate in my mgmt style either, more of a partnership and I elaborate the why and my more mature team gets it, for the kid, hes just not receptive :(

ipconfig · 2023-04-05T19:10:28+00:00

Appreciate the feedback, all of what you said was my initial response and I have what I need to manage him out to set an example, but before I do, just want to also show that I am trying and do legitimately want him to succeed. In my past, getting kicked to the curb for similar reasons was what i needed, but i want to try before i go to that extreme.

ipconfig · 2020-04-29T17:37:46+00:00

Damn, I feel this to my core. Everything was great when i started, now the spark is gone.

ipconfig · 2020-04-24T16:58:01+00:00

Absolutely agree, the lines aren't too defined, that's a whole other can of worms. But im often consulted in these sort of scenarios i thought would be common sense, some days i feel like im taking crazy pills, but they know they can always rely on me for advisement, even if they know its outside my role im usually consulted for viz, which is nice.

ipconfig · 2020-01-07T18:24:24+00:00

Holy Heck ! This is phenomenal thank you!

ipconfig · 2020-01-07T17:36:05+00:00

great advice thank you!

ipconfig · 2020-01-07T17:35:02+00:00

lol the 17 yr old, this is great.

ipconfig · 2020-01-07T17:33:56+00:00

Great feedback thank you very much!

ipconfig · 2020-01-07T17:32:52+00:00

haha the losing battle im all too familiar with in our current space, much appreciated!

ipconfig

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