Many years ago, thick into my career,I was part of a pivotal project and had worked very hard to arrive at this position. The deadline for the launch of the project was just three months away, and everyone on the team was busy to ensure and make it a successful launch. Our clients from the other side of the world would breathe on our neck every week, seeking minute-by-minute updates, followed by a plethora of questions that were half answered on a video call and remaining via email as the planet sun intervened and gave us much-needed respite.
The final launch was a gala affair, and after a very successful launch, I was part of a meeting that involved the key stakeholders. and a few emerging leaders like me; both excited and nervous, I came inside the conference room and took my seat, very cheerful and awaiting something I was anticipating since long. The meeting concluded with announcements of new roles and a change of allocation of assignments and positions, within which my name was in just one project, while my new supervisor, who was introduced in the meeting as a new hire, was to take over most of the work I had just concluded with a successful launch.
My body language changed, and I appeared grim and a bit shocked. While I did not say anything except a few questions on the new projects, the nonverbal cues were everywhere. At one point, I also came across as someone emotionally blocked, helpless, and with anger burning inside yelling “This is not Fair!”.
After the meeting
I was never the same employee; a lot has changed; from a Project lead who would spend hours ensuring a successful launch, I was a recluse; for many days, I could not fully comprehend what could have led to these drastic changes, and stayed in a mind which constantly kept evaluating, a kind of an ongoing Q&A session which refuse to end.
To be honest, it brought a massive dent in my confidence, which I kept to myself, and I wore an emotional mask as if everything was as okay.
I also could not muster any courage to speak to my colleagues because somehow I now had everything under a radar of doubt, which began with my self and ended with all the people of my world outside.
It took a while for me to ;
- Understand what really went into the meeting
- The real cause of the change of power
- The background of all that transpired on that given day
- What was the reason for not choosing me
- The gaps I need to pay attention to, but I totally missed it
- What to avoid and what to learn
As of today, while organization,jobs and systems have evolved and changed ,especially post-pandemic ,giving rise to the remote work set up ,and hierarchical structures, what remain constant is the power dynamics that shall continue to prevail as long as human species would continue to work.
I did not have the support I needed, which led me to long years of despair, low confidence and even a lot of missed opportunities because self-doubt was what I was enveloped in.
I do not want that for you
So, based on my learning and expertise in this niche of serving emerging leaders to navigate power dynamics and manage office politics, I decided to design a product that would assist you with the required awareness you need to get started.
This free audio course would take you there
Click here to listen to it.
© Mehnaz Amjad 2017-2024
Mehnaz Amjad | Coach
Hyderabad, India