This... "it’s the company that decides who is on the interview committee, and often the people who can reveal what’s not working are kept far away from candidates."
I took a job even though a part of me was thinking "This is crazy. They won't let me meet with the people I'm going to be managing" even though it was not a confidential role or anything like that. Within the first few weeks, I knew I had made a huge mistake. Culture and values did not align with mine. It took some soul searching, resourcing with friends, mentors, former bosses, to know it wasn't me. Yet it was MY problem to deal with because I was the one who had to decide what to do. The company wasn't going to change. Those people I managed? Some of them have stayed. A number of them have left or are leaving. Our feedback has not been heard. And it's really sad. Great product, great opportunity, bad leadership.
I wanted to add a bit here. Within the first few weeks, I knew I had made a big mistake. Leadership did not value what I thought they hired me to do. And they didn't value it in a way that was devaluing of people, not just of me. After some soul searching and support of friends/mentors/former boss, I knew it wasn't me. "The problem is not the person who names the problem. Or even limited to the one harmed. The problem is the problem. Plain and simple. And the only relevant question is… who is interested in solving that problem? Just some of us or each of us."
I couldn't figure out how to solve the problem. The head of HR told me it wasn't solvable. So I left. Those people I managed? Some of them have stayed, many have left or are leaving. It's sad. And yet one wonders what it takes for companies to "decide it's our problem."
This reflection is so beautiful. When someone, let alone HR says a problem isn't solvable, what are they saying. Probably what they can't really say, right? Which is that in this place of work, you don't count. At least not in a way that matters. Your voice, however useful is limited by some scope.
I have been thinking a lot about the conversation of "having a seat at the table" and "women just need to speak up" as part of a continuum. Getting in is one end, and materially *mattering* is on the other.
"If I act as if I’m somehow independent, it denies our interdependencies." - this is everything, stunning as always Nilofer thank you.
This... "it’s the company that decides who is on the interview committee, and often the people who can reveal what’s not working are kept far away from candidates."
I took a job even though a part of me was thinking "This is crazy. They won't let me meet with the people I'm going to be managing" even though it was not a confidential role or anything like that. Within the first few weeks, I knew I had made a huge mistake. Culture and values did not align with mine. It took some soul searching, resourcing with friends, mentors, former bosses, to know it wasn't me. Yet it was MY problem to deal with because I was the one who had to decide what to do. The company wasn't going to change. Those people I managed? Some of them have stayed. A number of them have left or are leaving. Our feedback has not been heard. And it's really sad. Great product, great opportunity, bad leadership.
I wanted to add a bit here. Within the first few weeks, I knew I had made a big mistake. Leadership did not value what I thought they hired me to do. And they didn't value it in a way that was devaluing of people, not just of me. After some soul searching and support of friends/mentors/former boss, I knew it wasn't me. "The problem is not the person who names the problem. Or even limited to the one harmed. The problem is the problem. Plain and simple. And the only relevant question is… who is interested in solving that problem? Just some of us or each of us."
I couldn't figure out how to solve the problem. The head of HR told me it wasn't solvable. So I left. Those people I managed? Some of them have stayed, many have left or are leaving. It's sad. And yet one wonders what it takes for companies to "decide it's our problem."
Oh, Katie,
This reflection is so beautiful. When someone, let alone HR says a problem isn't solvable, what are they saying. Probably what they can't really say, right? Which is that in this place of work, you don't count. At least not in a way that matters. Your voice, however useful is limited by some scope.
I have been thinking a lot about the conversation of "having a seat at the table" and "women just need to speak up" as part of a continuum. Getting in is one end, and materially *mattering* is on the other.