A Tech Supervisor’s Cautionary Story
As they say with the benefit of hindsight, my inability to decipher has exacted a steep price from me.
In 2024, I find myself without a job, having been set adrift months prior when a sudden layoff at my former office eliminated nearly half of the staff. Faced with the staggering 230,000+ layoffs in the IT industry of 2023, I found myself swept up in a perfect storm: living in remote Northern Michigan, where the dwindling job opportunities seemed to loom as far away as the frozen tundra, while my bank account suffered a concurrent contraction. I wanted to reassess my decisions, with great haste.
As the opportunity to become a venture supervisor emerged in a metropolitan city just two hours south, fate seemed to intervene, beckoning me to seize the moment. The corporation reached out to me immediately following my application, a level of response I hadn’t experienced in over 180 attempts. During the conversation, another opportunity unexpectedly arose, which they believed would be a great fit for me. Within just two rounds of interviewing, I had secured a job offer that not only came with a comprehensive relocation package but also covered the costs associated with moving my entire household.
Why did they have to rush into renting the first candidate they met? I’d often learned about the problems they hadn’t disclosed, and I’d hovered between the lines, taking a glance at what wasn’t explicitly stated. Despite the desperation that can distort one’s perspective, I convinced myself that, despite the need to travel down weekly until college ended and a transfer became possible, it was worth the effort.
Pink Flags from Day One
The majority of occupations come with a probationary period, commonly referred to as a honeymoon interval. Sirens blaring, they descended upon me unannounced.
After years in the industry, I’d grown accustomed to certain expectations; still, the disconnect between my desires and reality was jarringly apparent from the outset.
During my first day, I was abruptly introduced to a company-wide gathering where newly hired employees were required to present in front of numerous colleagues, both in-person and remotely. As part of our team-building exercise, we were tasked with sharing an “enlightening truth” about ourselves, which had to be engaging enough for the CEO; if not, we’d need to try again. As I reflected on my earlier musings, I came to understand that anyone proclaiming singing as their ultimate joy must be willing to perform before a sea of expectant faces.
As noon approached, I successfully completed the cursory onboarding process and was dispatched to my department with my newly issued laptop, only to find myself thrust directly into the midst of a complex project.
By Day 3, I found myself explaining PII protocols to two junior colleagues who were detailing the lack of support they experienced under previous leadership.
By Day 4, I was repeatedly asked to review and assess audit processes, as well as address urgent requests for process improvements.
As the initial tremors subsided, a catastrophic chain reaction unfolded with devastating force.
Inheriting a Shipwreck
Upon accepting an administrative role, one unexpected development I hadn’t initially pursued was the responsibility of commanding a small fishing vessel. As I took his place at the helm, the substitute teacher seemed to bring an entire fleet of uncertainties into the classroom, his mannerisms as unsteady as the ship’s rudder on a stormy sea.
The painstaking deconstruction of a thoroughly botched software project, a stark exemplar of incompetence. Documentation was either non-existent or woefully inadequate at its core. Criticisms abounded regarding the absence of crucial operational frameworks. Audits previously conducted were anchored to shifting sands of uncertainty. I once found myself entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing a major project, staffed by a team of untested individuals, tasked with achieving an unprecedented level of technological sophistication.
As I navigated my responsibilities, I found myself assuming multiple roles: senior analyst, acting CEO, and occupying my designated position, with a direct reporting line to the Vice President that carried more weight than a dotted one. The fact that my boss’s understanding of our field was largely informed by the very same VP during his previous stints together did little to help.
As I wrestled with the chaos at hand, coupled with a grueling daily commute, my physical well-being began to suffer – a tingling sensation spread across half of my face, prompting an unexpected visit to the emergency room. As the day finally arrived in June, I wondered if I had made a significant error. Although I had a signed contract and a brand-new home under my belt, the thought of backing down now still lingered. This was already occurring.
I focused on building what I could manage – I fostered strong connections with my peer managers, was mentored by the Vice President, and led a team with untapped potential. After addressing my concerns about my boss’s behavior, including his disruptive habits and arguments with colleagues, to the VP, I found that these problems became more tractable and I was optimistic that they would improve.
I used to be incorrect.
The Breaking Level
A sudden leadership overhaul? That’s bound to have far-reaching implications for the organization. The Vice President and a key analyst, along with a director from the complementary side of our program, have departed the corporation. I had escalated concerns regarding my supervisor’s behavior to the Chief Information Officer, seeking a resolution. That hope was rapidly dashed. Given the lack of alternative options available, the company opted to temporarily assign my boss to a caretaker role, effectively filling in for the absent Vice President.
That’s when issues actually unraveled.
When my boss remade himself into a self-proclaimed micromanager, he genuinely believed that his watchful eye was the key to productivity. He consistently meddled in work processes, taking on responsibilities with haste. His abrupt, curt messages felt like a relentless barrage, draining the life from every conversation. When faced with criticism, he became defensive, yet struggled to articulate clear expectations. He would often mock my occasional stutter and boast about his low empathy scores, claiming it was a badge of honor. In an attempt to appear wise, he suggested everyone keep their resumes updated and be prepared for interviews at all times – one of the few insights he provided. However, this wisdom was frequently overshadowed by his jealousy when I pointed out issues, such as being asked to speak on a panel (he would instead brag about having been approached to present at a convention, panel, or Waffle House in the future, and maybe next time he’d agree).
As I bridge the gap between my executive’s onboarding process and my own leadership style, I’m taking a hands-on approach to upskill him, providing fundamental administrative guidance, including organizing regular breaks during lengthy meetings, recognizing employee achievements, and setting clear expectations. The company’s efforts to establish reasonable, cost-effective boundaries around off-hours availability were initially met with resistance – a firm that lauds individuals working on holidays and from hospital beds as “nothing short of extraordinary.”
When the IT department underwent a major restructuring, the worst-case scenario unfolded: my manager’s team was effectively severed from the rest of the organization. I found myself disconnected from the larger team, overwhelmed by an unsustainable workload under unclear leadership.
As I reflect on the experience once more, I strive to let go of self-criticism and acknowledge that hindsight is 20/20, with no room for regret or “what ifs”? Given the significant changes to the original job description, I would have rejected it outright if presented in its current form, regardless of the urgency involved. The relocation has had a profound impact on my family, with each member flourishing in their new urban environment.
As I struggle to come to terms with the aftermath, I’m painfully aware of the persistent numbness in my tongue, a constant reminder of the turmoil within; meanwhile, I’ve found myself relying on CBD to manage the overwhelming anxiety that’s taken hold, and I’m frantically trying to find a way to mitigate the crushing losses and somehow rise above the wreckage. As I gaze upon the thriving oasis our family has created in this unfamiliar city, my mind is secretly seething with resentment towards the very circumstance that brought us to this place – my mundane job that’s slowly suffocating my soul. Perhaps the most profound insight is that seemingly misguided choices can still guide one’s journey towards a fulfilling existence.
