The one time I ran into a scenario like this it was an upper level executive looking to flex and show that they are the alpha. My manager and manager’s manager stayed after the meeting to tell him that my project met the specs perfectly. Later on I found out that every person who had been in the department over a year had gone through that exact scenario. I kept on working and ultimately it was fine, but the department had a lot of churn with people mentioning this practice in their exit interviews, end result was him getting promoted even higher.
Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
11–20 of 506 posts
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#12Start sending out resumes, sounds like a dysfunctional management structure, probably wont get better and you'll be happier somewhere else.
If a lateral transfer seems possible, tell HR you would like be transferred out of your manager's boss's org structure.
Go above manager's boss's head and file a complaint against them for incompetence and unreasonable expectations: blaming workers for delays caused by poor project management is counterproductive and unacceptable CYA behavior. (Ideally once you already have a better offer in hand)
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#13Talk to your manager about it, 1-1.
This is the first advice I agree with.
See how your actual manager describes what you just went through. If they're supportive, write them an email thanking them for their defense of the aspects where you felt attacked by your super-manager. Having it in writing will make sure it's _real_ and you're not being gas-lit.
If you don't get it in writing, or if your manager isn't supportive during a 1 on 1, then it's time to start looking for another job.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#14Scenario 1) You did produce substandard shit code that could have been done in a week. In that case, figure out what you did wrong and learn from it. Most fresh college grads produce shit code, it's just a thing. No one holds it against you because you're young and new. In this case, recognize the advice from someone better and more experienced than you, and just do better next time. Don't take it personally as an attack on your abilities and character. I'm sure you're a nice person. I'm also sure as a new college grad, you have a lot to learn still. This is one of those times where you can use an experience to learn.
Scenario 2) You did a fine job but your manager is unable to appreciate that. In this case, you still have more to learn but not on the programming side (well, probably still more to learn there, but not relevant to this situation). This is a lesson on how to deal with bad managers. They are not better than you, they do not own all of your time, and you have the right to leave at any time. As a dev, you will probably be able to find employment again easily. Use this to your advantage and any time the pressure from this bad manager rises, remind them of that fact and be ready to call their bluffs. Polish your resume, and get out of there in 18 months (bad managers don't get better). Leverage your position to a better job at higher pay.
How to tell between Scenario 1 and 2? That's hard to say without more specifics, but either way I think the takeaway is to try to learn what you can from this and don't take it too hard.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#15The first meeting where your manager just abandoned you and you ended up talking to your manager's boss is totally inappropriate. Being so new to the job basically all the responsibility is with your direct manager and her boss is wrong to dump on you without your manager present. I'd give it another chance though, sounds like the work is fun and maybe you can communicate your concerns to your direct manager.
The plan was that she would be present? Maybe the boss' boss just had a plan to whine at her, but only OP showed up.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#16Find a new job.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#17Shrug it off and keep your head down. Keep on producing good work. Your manager should of deflected this sort of stuff and you are a junior developer. The responsibility doesn't really fall on you. Take some notes about what you can do better on future projects and try and improve. Rinse and repeat. Gj on delivering.
DONT keep your head down though. That's part of the problem. Get out of your bubble/headspace/etc and talk to other devs. Compare approaches. Reach out to others to see how they're solving problems. Even problems you're not having. Especially those actually, for when the time inevitably comes when you have to deal with those issues.
As a new person you can't possibly know everything. If you dont have someone showing you the ropes then you have to take initiative and talk to others.
Especially in larger orgs, this is invaluable.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#18The first meeting where your manager just abandoned you and you ended up talking to your manager's boss is totally inappropriate. Being so new to the job basically all the responsibility is with your direct manager and her boss is wrong to dump on you without your manager present. I'd give it another chance though, sounds like the work is fun and maybe you can communicate your concerns to your direct manager.
Agreed. OP should schedule a meeting with the manager to find out how they're doing, if expectations are being met, etc. It's entirely possible that things are just fine, but the boss has the wrong idea about this particular employee.
I think it's a sign of bad company management, but it's by no means a dealbreaker. i.e., not something to quit over.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#19Welcome to corporate America, where you are a disposable cog in a machine of managers trying to build their own empires and save their own asses. You either learn to play the game or you get crushed. If this is a name band company where the stock and benefits are worth it, then stick it out and find your way to move to another team. If this is a no-name company, then think really hard about what your future career looks like there and whether it's worth it relative to other opportunities. Are you going to get fired? No probably not - they probably aren't giving you two thoughts and it was as much about a manager posturing or venting as anything. But, that tells you something about the quality of management above you and you have to decide whether it is worth harnessing your career to them.
Re: Ask HN: My boss doesn't think I'm doing good work, how to proceed?
#20Unless you want to be seriously underpaid into the future and lag in promotions, virtually nobody has a future at their company as a junior developer. You could easily work for 20-40 different companies in your lifetime. Just make sure you are always marketable and what your manager thinks matters a great deal less.