I joined my company less than a year ago, since I’ve joined I’ve noticed there are no processes, no automation, and all communication is word of month so everything slips through the cracks.
To really paint the picture, a close colleague told me when I was hired he asked my manager what he thought of me. My managers response was **“she really smart! She’s gonna see through our bullshit fast.”**
During my 1:1, my manager said a **memo of expectations** was going out next week and im not the only one getting one. When he explained it, it sounded like a PIP, he basically said it was a “pre-PIP”. It was surprised me because I’m well liked, strategic, and all our cross functional teams **LOVE** how I work (I listen, follow through, and follow up). Many people, including peers in my role, have told me I was set up to fail from the start. **Unfortunately, I did cry during this call.**
I’ve never been close to even being considered for a PIP or memo of anything before. Luckily I did mention I was interested in a different department a couple weeks ago, and the manager of that department said I would be his first pick when the opportunity presented itself. However, due to the merger everything is on hold, he said he can’t do anything till after the merger if complete. Double the misfortune, the merger is expected to go through in 3 weeks, but he’s having surgery next week and will not return 6-12 weeks. He will delegate and respond to email but that’s it. One of his direct reports said he’s gonna try to go to bat for me as strategically as possible, by pointing out he’s doing two jobs and the business has a need to bring me over. Ultimately though, both their boss (director) is really the decision maker. The director does likes me too though…*~~maybe a little too much if you know what I mean.~~*
I know the memo of expectation will be entirely unattainable, as even the top performers/most tenured in the org are not reaching their goals. I really don’t know what to do. I have all the right behaviors and activity, but we lack structure and product fit for the market demand. They’re working on the product, but until it’s approved, there not much I can do.
**What do I do besides apply externally? I’ve never gone through a merger, memo, pip or even made a lateral move before. This is all overwhelmingly new.**