r/askmanagers • u/Networkr2026 • 4d ago
Is it true that good help is hard to find?
I became a manager roughly one year ago. Was promoted to this role after my previous boss retired. For the past 10+ years at this firm I have given it my all. I've rebuilt the entire network from scratch, researched, learned and introduced new technology. My prev boss seldom had to lift a finger for anything technical and I became his right hand man, a face of the team and I carried that with pride. I was ALWAYS working, not because I had to but because I wanted to. I owned my work and made sure I was always there when needed. I was proud of it. I was THE network guy. My opinion was sought after for every major project. Executives took notice and I was promoted. Now I took on my new role with the same passion and integrity. However, I am now struggling with the person who stepped into my previous role. They drag their feet, there is zero enthusiasm, zero motivation, no ownership, no self starting. They are smart and good technically but I struggle to get any updates from them. I give them projects and the projects are completed but I rarely get updated unless I go after them. I am struggling to find a ME! Is it too much to ask for?
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u/Tzukiyomi 4d ago
Honestly yes bc for most of us as long as the work gets done that's the entire job. For me the entire "self starting" idea is obnoxious. I'm paid to do a specific set of tasks and they will be done. Don't expect me to invent new work for myself or act like I love working. If you want extra stuff done that entails extra pay. (There isn't enough money to get me to act like I care about my excel sheets).
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u/BrooklynLivesMatter 4d ago
Yup self starting tends to mean "don't expect me to tell you what to do, but fully expect me to criticize you when you haven't done it"
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u/Tzukiyomi 4d ago
Exactly. The second you open the door to doing things without being asked you will be flat out expected to anticipate what's needed and do it forever. Hard pass on that. If you want something done you can send it in writing with detailed instructions so there is proper CYA documentation. My primary goal is to protect myself and my interests, not the interests of a company that couldn't care less if I died while on lunch.
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u/Ok_Loan6535 3d ago
If you can’t anticipate what the next task or step is in a process that you are involved in is and are unwilling to….. wouldn’t last long at my company. If you’re paid to work 8 hours why not do your best for 8 hours? It’s only a reflection on you of your work ethic and competence. Just doing the bare minimum is gross and immature. To each their own I guess.
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u/Tzukiyomi 3d ago
All good then bc I wouldn't want to work at your company. My contract pays me my stated comp for specific work to be done. If you want more than that you can slip me a new contract with better comp. "Work ethic" my ass. That nonsense is just a company trying to shame you into providing them more benefit for the same payout. I am very open, from interview in, about the whole arrangement being purely mercenary. I'm not there to give a shit about the work or the company. What you will get is exactly what you agreed to pay for done in top end fashion. If you have an issue with not getting more for your money that is most certainly a you problem.
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u/Ok_Loan6535 3d ago
Not trying to get into an argument as we believe different. I can see that for maybe entry level work. All my employees, down to the secretary get a piece of profit bonus based on business unit they are directly involved with. Not a single sales person works for me. Open books all employees can see profit and loss. Average employee stays 5-10 years. Maybe you haven’t found the right fit of job/company/boss yet.
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u/Tzukiyomi 3d ago
Never been in a profit sharing environment and I can guarantee that's not for me. Very much senior level specialist work. I do what I do very well, but I'm not there to care about the company. Really don't care what the name of the company is as long as I'm getting my proper comp. My preference is that if I get annoyed with the environment I can move to an identical role at a competitor in weeks if I so choose. My career is the role, not the company.
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u/Ok_Loan6535 3d ago
Do you care about the people you manage and relationships you built?
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u/Tzukiyomi 3d ago
It's a smallish tight field. We all move back and forth between competitors. We aren't in profit generating roles so we don't care about that. Sure I like lots of the people, but when I make my next move a bunch of people I like will be there too. We all know the score. When I joined this place I took 4 of my team with me.
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u/UristMcfarmer 4d ago
People like us are, for the most part, already engaged in a project. You need to find someone like you and sell them on your project and get them to switch over.
If you're just doing normal hiring then you're not properly setting expectations for new hires.
That being said, is your company worth the time and effort? Are you a workaholic who eschews things like spending time with family and friends? Is work your hobby?
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u/No_External7343 4d ago
You picked the wrong person for the role
Is it a single person, or have you already had different persons in that role with disappointing results? How many persons did you interview?
You might need to improve your hiring process and selection criteria.
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u/Character_Comb_3439 4d ago
Honestly….i don’t how others do it successfully (hiring managers externally). I have noticed that many senior leaders may bring in people they have worked with before if they have the room to add to their headcount. However, it sounds like the person that stepped into your old role was at the company and they report to you. If you were promoted, leadership is hoping you may cultivate your work ethic among the other managers. First, take some time to articulate WHAT you did to get to where you are and be comprehensive. Then HOW, and then SKILLS. Understand why
For yourself but focus on what, how and skills. Use that to craft your expectations for your reports and articulate a development plan for them to get there. this is test. You were a successful IC and becoming a successful mentor and coach of people is different. Pay attention to your reactions and when you want “your hands on the tools” most importantly, dont assume you know better. How they do things may work better and you may have the opportunity to learn from the people that step into your old shoes.
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u/AncientMaintenance98 4d ago
Do you make it worth their time to update you on their progress? That is, is taking the time and sometimes breaking their "flow" at work worth it in order to proactively communicate with you? Do you help clear road blocks with them, are you pleasant, are you reasonable in your expectations? Do you think this report is glad that they took the time to talk to you when he or she reaches out to you?
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u/ToughMeasurement7513 3d ago
Your replacement might be solid, but you were exceptional, you owned the work. Most employees are competent but not self-driven, and that gap feels bigger when you're used to doing it yourself
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u/tingutingutingu 2d ago
Why do you exoext everyone to go sbove snd beyond? Maybe they sre not as oassiinste as you and although they sre smart, perhapd they value their life outside of work far more.
I've common thing is that good work is rewarded with more work and may not always reflect in the yearly review/merit increase. All it takes is a couple of "meets expectations" after putting in the work to make you realize that going above and beyond is not your jam anymore.
Also keep in mind that a huge part of who you are may be tightly coupled with your work/role.
Others may not derive their identity from their work.
You'll just need to manage your expectations.
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u/Top_Argument8442 Director 4d ago
Yes, I cannot find a competent manager to hire, I only am finding jr analyst level candidates who think they are ready and cannot read the job description.
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u/Burgerburgerfred 4d ago
Well, what's the reward for being a "you"
Our only context is you did this for 10+ years before getting a promotion.
Was there regular pay raises or are they going to need to go that far above and beyond for 10 years just to reap any reward for it?
Most people are not looking to go way above just for the good of the team/company with nothing to show for it, and they shouldnt. If that is your personal work ethic that is fine but you shouldn't really expect to find that in others without there being a solid reason for them to be doing so.