I'm (31) in the lucky/rare space where I actually enjoy the functions of my job. I work for a nonprofit member services organization doing government affairs (not a lobbyist). I have a number of projects in the works, but they're all at a place where they are with my supervisor either for review, or to sign off on moving forward. Many of which are beneficial to our members and are based on feedback we received from them in the past. I'm honestly pretty proud of the drafts/plans I have in place.
This supervisor is the department head, and they are hiring for my direct supervisor (this supervisor did not put the salary in the job description and lo and behold has been having trouble getting people to accept their offers. Even I don't know what the salary is. It was 6-figures in the past and I'm curious to see how bad the cut is).
This supervisor is out today for personal matters, but putting that aside, they are new to the organization and are struggling pretty bad. They are verbally abusive to employees, do not have knowledge of the industry, refuse to do very basic supervisory stuff like approve timesheets. show up late (if they show up at all) to very important meetings – including with Congressional staff, and it seems like they are constantly on vacation. In fact, they've been in this role for 4 months tops and they're going to Martha's Vineyard in a few weeks because they are 'burned out.'
It's pretty disappointing tbh. Especially because there are projects that we as a department take a lead on but because of their ineptitude and disorganization, it's very hard to get these going.
I try to 'manage up' and clearly articulate my vision for my role (the duties in my vision already exist). I try to present everything in writing with defined steps and how I am going to do such work and the resources needed to do this. One of these is our annual lobby day. I presented to them (in email) a very detailed plan about it with a timeline and literally every single resource we need for it. and I also proposed a month for it, making my case why.
They are very scatter-brained and a 'delegator' without a clear, concise vision for the industry and the department's role in supporting it. So I'm trying to essentially do the whole “don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness” thing. I work on projects I want to prioritize (and our department has prioritized prior to her joining).
All of this to say right now I'm waiting for feedback about 6 or so projects. some are more complex than others so I really am trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm also not the only employee frustrated with this person. They have on several occasions yelled at employees in the office where people could hear her. One of those instances was when another VP (2nd in command) was in and apparently heard it. I wasn't there for that.
It's just so frustrating and demoralizing and right now I really don't have anything to work on which I hate that feeling. It feels like I'll get in trouble, which is a very juvenile thing to say -especially because I can provide for anyone a list of all of the projects I have going and their statuses.
I just want to be able to do my job and create cool projects.