Stepping down from management job

[Christine]

It isn't something I would do, it doesn't look good on a resume.

Is the problem managing people or the people you manage? Managing people is much harder than people who don't do it think.

I've been brought into disfunctional groups in the past and managing those people was terrible. Once I identified who was disfunctional themselves as opposed to a victim of the culture I got ride of the former. If you are new at management you'll need to learn to cull the herd. Everyone I manage currently, with one exception, is someone I hired and it is a much better stress level now.

If it is more the job as opposed to the people you may just need a mentor. It helps a ton.

I actually have a really great team to manage. Not one of them is a problem and I've worked hard to get those people and get rid of the ones that are. I am sort of in a magic spot right now with my team and I love them. That said, I still don't like it. Thought I would a long time ago, but I don't. Honestly, it's really, really hard for me to deal with sensitivities. I mean, while I have a great team, they do make mistakes and our job has enough issues that they need the feedback (good and bad) and correcting the mistakes is really important. I have to tread SO carefully when giving feedback. I don't reprimand, no one gets in trouble. But dang. I think I don't get my feelings hurt easily and don't mind mistakes so it's hard for me to get in the headspace of someone who can't take it. I can't even blame it on generational things, lol!

 

[ozliz]

OP, just like you, I took a higher responsibility position about 8 years ago so I could be in on some of the decision making, policy establishment and just overall lead the organization. I love that part of it. Unfortunately it came with the management of a division. *Only* 10 people, but really, that part I just hate for a number of reasons and that's the part that makes me want to step out of it. But then when I see what my job might them become, I don't know if I'd be professionally fulfilled.

This sums it up exactly. I want the influence and control but a little less responsibility. The progression was the logical step and they days I wish for less I worry I’d get bored eventually. Overall I’m unlikely to do anything about it now. More curious about when people decided to step down and whether it did work for them.

 

[ozliz]

being able to 'cull' is highly dependent on a number of factors-type of industry (private vs. public), unionized or not, and local and state employment laws (right to work states vs. at will makes a HUGE difference) to name a few. even those aspects aside-absent having ultimate and final termination authority leaves a manager in the position of h/r or some 'higher authority' making the final call. unless the powers that be are supportive and cooperative in making the hard decisions they put managers into an impossible and potentially dangerous situation.

Yes so this. I’m in an industry with a lot of employee protections so it takes a long time to get rid of someone to follow fair process before you get there. We’re also having trouble finding qualified and experienced staff and I’ve noticed people getting promotions earlier than they would have preferred. It makes it very hard as you don’t always have someone else to do the work if one person isn’t doing their work/ needs to be let go.

 

[Karin1984]

Had a colleague who gave back a promotion after a few months. She decided it was not for her. She realized she was happier where she was.

I decided not to go for certain promotions to lead a team as I do not enjoy HR stuff. I like to help people grow, but all the paperwork and official stuff that comes with it. Not for me.