The best way to demonstrate our capability in the workplace is to be entrusted with the responsibility of independently managing, for example, a project. However, is it sufficient for our superior to delegate a task to us, or is it necessary to also receive the authority that everyone involved will be aware of? This move prevents headaches for all key participants in a simple way…
Question:
I have been at my current job for just over a year. I worked on simpler tasks for quite a while, and it seems to me that my boss needed time to accept me (my predecessor was very dear to her, and she is still mentioned from time to time). I was not dissatisfied, but I believe I can and know more. Recently, she offered me the management of an interesting project, and of course, I accepted and immediately got to work! In my work, I collaborate and coordinate with external suppliers as well as several of our departments. What drives me to despair is that I have good experiences with external suppliers, but not so much with our departments: they forget, delay my deadlines, return partially filled tables, etc. It is very important for me to prove my capability to my boss, and as things stand now, I am already behind. How should I position myself and compel them to be punctual and cooperative? What should I do?
Answer:
First of all, your letter reveals a lot of emotions: from initial euphoria about managing the mentioned project to despair, as you state, due to the poor response from colleagues with whom you should collaborate, as well as anger, and then fear about whether you will prove capable and successful in front of your boss… All these emotions are natural, have their purpose, and it is okay that you are aware of them. They can serve as a good “traffic light” indicating the importance of certain events, your expectations, and needs.
However, in resolving the specific situation, you will need clear and calm communication, professionalism, and a “cool head.” Therefore, make sure to keep your emotions in the background.
As I understand your problem, it seems to me that there has been a lapse on your boss’s part. It is possible that this happened due to ignorance, thoughtlessness, or simply “assumptions” that often underlie communication noise… But the reason for this is not even important at this moment. What matters is that the lapse is corrected.
Namely, your boss has obviously delegated the project management to you, but she failed to inform ALL involved about it, meaning she did not delegate authority to you. Thus, you are personally a sufficient authority for external suppliers who respond in a timely manner and fulfill their part of the task, but it seems that you are not a sufficient authority for colleagues in other departments. This is why they do not take you “seriously” and react accordingly. To be clear, this has nothing to do with you personally; it is very likely that they would react the same way if anyone else, whom they do not consider superior, tried to engage them further.
