Scrutiny and Judgment
Learn how to handle scrutiny and judgment from your team and scrutinize your manager.
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Spotlight
These days, you wonder why anybody would want to live their lives in the spotlight. Politicians, public figures, and business people are deeply scrutinized by the press and members of the public. The media publishes a vast array of content about the minutiae of these people’s lives, even discussing where they are currently on holiday, and of course, whether or not they should be on holiday at all. There are also snide commentaries on mistakes made during public appearances and scrutiny over outfit choices.
As you spend more time as a manager, and especially if your career takes you further down the management track, which we’ll discuss in the coming Dual Ladder chapter, you’ll find that increasingly senior positions invite more scrutiny from your colleagues. Going up the organization chart from engineer, to manager, to director, then VP, SVP, or a C-level position has a similar effect to those who take up seats in public office. Instead of just being a contributor to a team, you begin to represent the team conceptually as their leader.
At more senior levels, whether you like it or not, your role can expect you to embody particular values that the company holds dear, as you act as a role model for the whole department or organization. During good times this can be fantastic. The company is thriving, and you’re the living embodiment of all that is wonderful and successful. During bad times, the fingers will point at you as you are fundamentally accountable, even though problems may not have been directly your fault.