What to do when your leader puts you in cold storage?
Nadiah, a 32-year-old team lead in a PR firm. She has been with the firm for about 5 years. And she has been doing well.
For past 1 year she has not been given any important projects, including her common projects. Nadia felt she has been put into cold storage and wondering how to go about it.
In the first coaching session I learned Nadiah had a hick up with a client which has been brought to her manager. The manager was not happy about it.
Though the manager settled the issue on his own with the client, he did not address it with Nadiah. The manager might have developed discomfort with Nadiah and framed her into something which she may not be like:
⏩ not capable to handle high profile clients or
⏩ not reliable all together or
⏩ just displeasure due to the frustrating fix he happened to take upon her
mistake
How can Nadiah overcome this issue?
Below were some action steps discovered to helps Nadiah through coaching:
- to arrange for an official meeting with the manager
- to clarify why she is not given much opportunity off late
- to apologize for what happened in the last project
- to share her side of story and point of view to the short coming
- to highlight her positive contributions to the organization in the past
- to assure she is eager to contribute positively towards the company
- to communicate effectively by being clear, curious and calm
Nadiah was not comfortable to do it. At first it looked like a confrontation to her. She put it to rest.
After some time, she braved it. Of course, she practiced her effective communication before fixing the appointment.
It worked for her.
Her manager had a change of perception and apologized for keeping her in cold storage.
After a day she was assigned on important projects and off she goes busy, productive and happy.
If you are in similar situation, give it a go with the 7 point discovery shared above.
Just remember to make the communication effective. The purpose is important, clarify.
