(posting for a friend - working to help them)
Was doing well in job. Was a business analyst. Got moved to a project management position (a step up) - in a different area/team, same overall department - and stepped into a buzz-saw.
Called in HR to help deal with ongoing, unprofessional behavior on behalf of internal client (product manager). Struggled with new responsilbilities using financial accounting software (Clarity, heavily customized). Classes aren't available until August. Got reassigned to work in slightly different area on same team. Reputation has taken a hit.
Meanwhile, am a single mom, and want to focus on young child, who is having problems in school. Some issues with ex, too. Am working to sell a home, have a lot going on personally.
Bottom line - I'd like to take a step back at work - perhaps even return to BA work which I can excel at. Would like to move to different team as a BA, lick my wounds, repair my reputation, and prepare to take a run at promotion/new skills after some preparation and assessment of what went wrong.
Have asked boss initially and feedback is - "we need you as a PM, you can do the work, press on"
Any advice on how to sell a step back to my boss?
Advice generally is good - if you don't think that's right move - that's fine, too - but I am focused on trying to figure out how to ask for a pause.
Hi George!
I wanted to check with Mark so I gave you the right answer. This is what he said:
Stepping back is a good move here.
The answer is to sell it to the boss in terms of results, which *I am guessing* that's what he wants. Tell him the combination of lost reputation and lack of abilities and personal issues are going to prohibit you from achieving them, and the professional thing to do is step down. Proactively offer to take the associated pay cut. And, make sure HR knows you're asking for a step back based on all the factors.
And, there is risk. I don't know the boss, and he could get pissed and tell her we have no room for you to step back.
I hope it works for your friend,
Wendii
I think I see here that
I think I see here that the sell to the boss is "If I take a pause, I can perform and turn in good results as a BA, while working on training (there is some financial software - Clarity, with classes in August); and perhaps shadow or do other things with high performers to work myself back into taking a run at PM work again. Perhaps she should outline a plan timing and milestones - that will make good performance a more sure thing. Sell the fact that she'll be a resource take that he won't have to worry about.
The truth of the matter is that this person didn't check to see the the promotion situation that she was getting thrown into was going to be one tough assignment. Would have been nice to get a softball to start off with new responsibilities here.
Caution
If you step back, you can be fairly certain that the boss will think twice before offering you the position a second time, assuming all goes well as those above stated. I know of two people who declined promotions, neither of whom was ever asked to step up again.
I think your choice is to step back and then look elsewhere if you ever want to move up again, or to stay at your present position and do what you can to deliver the expected outcomes, even if poorly. I don't think you can realistically expect to be promoted a second time if you decline this time around.
Of course, everything I said above is conjecture, but it is based on my personal observations over time.
Right - that is the risk
You are correct, that is the risk you are taking. Can you sell your supervisor (and is it a fact) that a collusion of circumstances has made stepping back the right move for now to keep performance high for the organization; and that you'll be ready to step forward in the future? Or do you gut it out and deliver the best performance you can (even if poor for a time) without asking for a step back? Or do you step back, but realizing the door is shut for you to more forward in this organization; and you'll need to look elsewhere when the time comes? Those are the choices and there are risks, benefits with each.