Ask Ash: New boss, old favourites

Dear Ash,

I have been somewhat disillusioned by work ever since a new line manager has been appointed. She seems to have brought some loyal colleagues with her and is at times just ignoring the rest of us in the team. 

I have tried to highlight the cases I’m working on, but she either seems disinterested or insists that one of her favourites has input. I’m used to working autonomously and don’t understand why she seems to be overlooking my input, and the lack of recognition is impacting upon my confidence levels and general wellbeing.

Ash replies:

It is human nature to try to surround yourself with likeminded or supportive people; and it would seem that your new manager has formed an effective cocoon around herself. This has probably worked well for her in the past and she is probably reluctant to allow others to encroach into her confined circle.

However, it is important for you to be able to build trust with her in order to be accepted into her circle. I suggest you arrange a one-to-one meeting to allow you to set out what you are working on and how you would welcome her input too. 

It’s also important that you have some defined parameters about your role in the team, and your reporting lines for transparency. Take this as a starting point and give yourself a few months to try to build a working relationship with your manager.

Look to re-evaluate the position in about six months’ time and see how you feel then; but try to remain positive in the meantime. Remember everything is relatively new for your manager too and she’ll need a period of time to settle in properly. 

Give it some more time, but try not to take things personally, as it’s not just you that seems to be out of the immediate circle for now. Hopefully in time your manager will take down some of the wall she has built around her.

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and other legal professionals, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@connectmedia.cc. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised.

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Education, Training & Qualifications team. Email legaleduc@lawscot.org.uk or phone 0131 226 7411 (select option 3).