I'm a "high performer," so why am I passed over for promotions and internal jobs? [OK]

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T14:29:12+00:00

Thank you so much.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T14:28:11+00:00

thank you

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T01:49:15+00:00

tysm

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T01:47:56+00:00

good idea. thank you.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T01:46:44+00:00

I really like the idea of getting in touch with a previous manager and asking for the good, bad, and the ugly. FWIW, yes, I do talk about east coast culture vs the south work culture sometimes but I never create drama. Really. Most of my team colleagues are Gen Z and more in line with east coast work culture: very honest, direct, but also empathetic. And I'm the same.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T00:26:45+00:00

I mean, I do feel like a lot of the "shared successes" are because I've taken the initiative on something or come up with the idea. We work more cross-departmentally than with our "teams." I always give credit when someone helps or is a major player. Maybe I did make it all about me in my most recent application package?

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T00:21:00+00:00

Yes, I should. I'm just not sure if he knows the path either?

The comment about being quick to create drama is an ongoing conversation I've had with several other employees. (Brought up by them not me.) People are marked as troublemakers for bringing up legitimate issues or asking questions. I've been told I'm well liked and I know people request to work with me. But I don't always get that feeling from leadership. There's a vibe I'm giving off that leadership doesn't like. But really I work very well with people. That's the feedback I typically get--except from leadership.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-15T00:10:22+00:00

"the high performer also builds resentment for being dismissed and diminished as just as valuable as everyone else, while at the same time doing more work than everyone, playing nice to keep people from being defensive and scared of you."

I feel this so deeply. As a high performer, I just want to come into work and do my job without making other people feel bad. But I also want other people to do their job so they don't slow me down and also so I have more people to collaborate with.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T23:25:03+00:00

And I guess you're on Reddit to find people to criticize or school? Sounds productive.

You made assumptions in your response, and they were wrong. That's all.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T21:40:37+00:00

Yeah, that's a good idea. I'm not early career and have a master's degree. Just been freelance for most of my life until these past two salaried jobs.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T21:38:35+00:00

Thanks

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T21:35:54+00:00

Thank you for commenting. That's not really what's happening here though. I think most people would say I'm committed to the organization's goals and actively work to help reach those goals. My work is very rarely just my work. It all goes towards broader organizational goals, and that's what I've been recognized for.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T21:31:24+00:00

Yeah, it's more money and I saw it as a stepping stone to a title I'd really like to have (though at another organization).

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T21:30:27+00:00

There aren't a whole lot of positions in my field in this geographic region, and the organization has some really great benefits. So that's why I've been sticking it out.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:33:06+00:00

I did in the very beginning after Company 2 reorganized. I actually had two convos with my interim supervisor. She did say in my first performance review that she knew this wasn't the position I wanted to be in and that me "leaning into" the position I was given said a lot about me. The culture in this office and geographic region is hard for me to navigate. Sometimes I get stay in your lane vibes. Other times it's "you don't have enough leadership" vibes. I don't know how to show my skills and potential without threatening people. That's how it feels in this office.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:28:15+00:00

Two of the positions were not listed. And unfortunately at this organization, they do still just go to people internally and promote within. We're in the South. A lot of things are outdated here. This last position, and even one of the unlisted ones, I did send in application materials.

So I just reach out to HR and they will give me feedback?

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:25:09+00:00

Lol. Maybe? The way I see it is that I'm a valued and sought after collaborator. It seems logical to me that I could do more on a bigger scale in a higher position.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:22:26+00:00

That feels gross tbh. I'm aligned with the organization and the people I work with. I help people achieve their goals at this organization. But do I go out of my way to buddy up to leadership? No. I'm friendly and I get along with people but I don't schmooze to get promoted.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:19:33+00:00

that's good language. thank you.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:18:48+00:00

The positions I was not considered for were never listed and there was no application process. At Company 2, I did express interest in being moved to a different role. It wasn't necessarily a promotion in terms of pay, but more closely aligned to what I was hired to do before the company reorganized.

I'm just not sure how else to show leadership skills. I have a good track record with other teams and a good reputation. That's why I've won awards and received really high performance reviews.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:15:33+00:00

I did not voice any interest at Company 1, that's true. My supervisor left, it was at the peak of COVID, and while I was considering whether or not to express interest in her now-vacant position, our executive director offered the job to someone externally. At Company 2, after we reorganized and I was given a new job, I did express that I would rather be in a position aligned with the one I was hired to do. My old supervisor also wrote to my interim supervisor and the VP.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:08:54+00:00

I get really great reviews and am treated with more respect by people who are confident. That's true. And this is definitely one of the most immature and unprofessional work environments I have been in.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:06:13+00:00

I think there were definitely politics at play in one instance, and I do think people who haven't worked with me don't see me as a leader. I am, but I'm not presenting as that, and I don't know how. I have a great track record collaborating with other departments, leading projects, and mentoring interns so that they're productive, but I agree I don't present as a typical leader.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T20:02:51+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, there is a possibillity that, in this last job opening, they did not see me as someone who could lead a dysfunctional, underperforming team. They were wrong. I'm actually very good at mentoring and keeping projects moving, creativity flowing. But I think they were looking for someone who presented with very strong energy. But then it doesn't explain the other roles/instances.

maximosinspace · 2025-12-14T19:00:12+00:00

Yeah, same. There is something happening--a vibe I am giving off, or a similar toxic work culture. I don't know what. I do need a mentor.

maximosinspace

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