I work for an ecommerce company as a product operations manager. I have asked this question to my General Manager [operations] to define my exact role in my organization. My key role is to ensure that the data is uploaded correctly and on time. But I have been given quite a few technical tasks where I never had any expertise but the expectations set were quite high and time given is quite short as well. I sometimes feel left out in my team. Do you think that my team is trying to throw me out by giving such difficult tasks? Please advise.
The Team Doc Says…
It doesn’t sound like your team is trying to throw you out. It sounds like they have a lot of confidence in your skills and abilities so they keep throwing tasks your way that they think you can complete.
Since you’re feeling quite differently, now would be a good time to get some clarity on your role. You said you’ve asked your manager to define your role, but that’s not an approach I recommend. You should document your role, along with scope and boundaries, then schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss what you have defined.
During this discussion with your manager, take some time to share your concerns about other team members’ expectations and how it is impacting you. Make sure you take solutions to this discussion, not just problems.
It seems like you are making a lot of assumptions about what other team members and your team manager are thinking without tapping into the communication pipeline to validate or resolve those concerns. Start that process now.
About Denise O'Berry
Communication. This is the key to resolve all your concerns. Approach your manager to air out your concerns so that they would also be aware on your current job condition.