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Old 08-10-2015, 09:32 PM
 
1,823 posts, read 2,838,799 times
Reputation: 2831

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I used to wonder why people in management positions and higher became so guarded and secretive as they climbed the ranks. I didn't understand why they became so inaccessible as people.

Now, as I'm becoming more successful, I'm seeing why people start being like that. It's because, not only are you a focal point for criticism and blame, you are also in a position where people WANT things from you. And you don't always know what their real agenda is. So, you put on the professional veneer and keep everyone else the heck away from your personal life. It's a matter of self-preservation.

Has anyone who has risen in the ranks experienced similar things? I'm curious to hear.
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Old 08-10-2015, 09:35 PM
 
254 posts, read 456,486 times
Reputation: 616
Mostly just time commitments for me. Alot of people want hours and hours of my time these days.
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Old 08-10-2015, 10:19 PM
 
348 posts, read 370,969 times
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A part of it is alliances and politics and otherwise navigating bureaucracy.

A part of it is casually interacting takes energy and can be distracting, esp. WRT thinking about big picture stuff.

A part of it is being wary of showing favoritism or discrimination with underlings.

A part of it is ego and reputation.
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Old 08-10-2015, 10:42 PM
 
6,389 posts, read 4,099,173 times
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I have no problem telling my trade secrets. I always tell them after I've shown them everything I use and do "good luck implementing".
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Old 08-11-2015, 08:56 AM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,352 posts, read 80,679,251 times
Reputation: 57360
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAL9000 View Post
A part of it is alliances and politics and otherwise navigating bureaucracy.

A part of it is casually interacting takes energy and can be distracting, esp. WRT thinking about big picture stuff.

A part of it is being wary of showing favoritism or discrimination with underlings.

A part of it is ego and reputation.
In addition to the favoritism part, those that came up from the ranks have to maintain their authority among those that used to be peers. In some cases the manager beat out other peers and is now supervising them, which can be awkward. I was selected as manager when my boss was demoted, so I became her supervisor. That was interesting but difficult until she took a transfer to another location.
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Old 08-11-2015, 09:43 AM
 
Location: TN/NC
34,944 posts, read 31,087,664 times
Reputation: 47334
Quote:
Originally Posted by stava View Post
I used to wonder why people in management positions and higher became so guarded and secretive as they climbed the ranks. I didn't understand why they became so inaccessible as people.

Now, as I'm becoming more successful, I'm seeing why people start being like that. It's because, not only are you a focal point for criticism and blame, you are also in a position where people WANT things from you. And you don't always know what their real agenda is. So, you put on the professional veneer and keep everyone else the heck away from your personal life. It's a matter of self-preservation.

Has anyone who has risen in the ranks experienced similar things? I'm curious to hear.
Often everyone from top to bottom is liable for criticism and blame. S**t often rolls downhill. I think these same things could be said for about anyone.
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Old 08-11-2015, 10:24 AM
 
Location: NYC
5,196 posts, read 4,649,829 times
Reputation: 7942
Quote:
Originally Posted by stava View Post
I used to wonder why people in management positions and higher became so guarded and secretive as they climbed the ranks. I didn't understand why they became so inaccessible as people.

Now, as I'm becoming more successful, I'm seeing why people start being like that. It's because, not only are you a focal point for criticism and blame, you are also in a position where people WANT things from you. And you don't always know what their real agenda is. So, you put on the professional veneer and keep everyone else the heck away from your personal life. It's a matter of self-preservation.

Has anyone who has risen in the ranks experienced similar things? I'm curious to hear.
Of course. Most people with intelligence in upper management knows they got there based on luck and timing. The people they manage are probably just as smart. So you put on the Wizard of Oz act.
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