Hello! I’d like to share an experience and hopefully receive guidance.

I spent two years as an executive, and while I was providing what I believe was impactful work, and receiving praises across the board, I got fired from one day to the other without any explanation.

After a few weeks, some managers (who were under me) shared that there had been a while campaign raised against me for a couple of months by others VPs and shareholders. 1/2

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

The older I get, the less I trust because very few people are truly good and trustworthy. They may want to be or even think they are, but when the chips are down, most people will just choose themselves.

My advice is to trust but verify…with everyone. And if you find someone you can trust completely (validates through experience) hang on tight. They are rare.

likehelpful

I personally have a file where I save emails that celebrate work that I’ve done. I use it mostly for resume/introductions if I’m pursuing a new role, but it certainly helps build back my confidence when I’m lacking it. Ultimately, you may need to fake it for a while, but confidence is key to leading.

Feel free to DM me, and we can talk about it. I have plenty of experience in working with top execs about this particular issue. Happy to share their wisdom and mine.

likesmart

This sounds traumatic and regardless whatever your perception of trauma is I would invite you to think about how you can support your body in releasing the tension of the experience as well as talking through things with a trusted person.

Several people I know have had a great experience with acupuncture, EFT tapping, and tension and trauma release exercise (TRE).

I hope this shifts for you with speed and grace.

likehelpful

You deserve clear and direct feedback, not a whisper campaign that sounds like something out of a soap opera. That was extremely fucking toxic and I’m so sorry it happened to you.

There are lots of great organizations out there where this behavior is rightly unconscionable and it sounds like you’ve found one. Good luck OP, we are rooting for you 🤗

like

It has been a shock as at no time anyone mentioned anything at any level in our multiple reporting rituals, and my teams were pretty happy and delivering.

I have now been in a new role in an awesome company. 6 months in, I feel blessed and people are very supportive and appreciative of my work. The issue is that I seem to can’t believe them (and those praise have been given in my previous gig), and carrying with me a very poor self esteem now.

Today I have been told that I should try to move beyond my undermined self confidence and anxiety caused by it as it is the only thing that is crippling the impact I’m having in my current role.

Honestly, I don’t know how to do that and rebuild my professional trust on the feedback shared with me. Any suggestion? 2/2

Lack of trust can be triggered by different experiences. It’s highly likely that you have had a lifetime of experiences that make this a bigger trigger than you may realize. I would suggest working with a therapist on this. Whether it’s trust, confidence or peace of mind - the thing that is getting in your way is rooted in fear.

helpful

Sad to hear this happened - agree with pursuing a therapeutic route to recover from the trauma. I got laid off from an executive role a few years ago, largely because my boss failed to manage his boss well, and I didn’t do enough to form a relationship with my bosses boss. It was traumatic for sure.

Good learning situation, and showed me that at the executive level, fully half (or more) of the job is managing politics vs actual performance.

At the same time, I’d rather trust and be wrong than be paranoid and be right.

Related Posts

Hi all,

Seeing some posts on layoffs in barclays. Is it true and which category of Employees will fall in that list.

like

What’s your backup plan if you are laid off as a result of the downturn?

like

So are the layoffs at Deloitte over ?

Hi, received an offer from another Big4 in Amsterdam (currently working in Eastern Europe), but relocating, I’m concerned about potential layoffs in the coming period being the last to join the team.

Does anybody work for Evolent / New Century Health? How is the culture? Any known layoffs?

like

Has anyone been fired? How’d you bounce back? How did you approach it when applying for new jobs? I’m legitimately worried I’ll be fired and could use some advice.

like

Losing two key accounts. Layoffs look pretty much inevitable. Any agencies hiring a Project Manager in the LA/OC area?

What are the weirdest reasons you have heard for people being laid-off? I have heard someone getting laid off because they missed submitting their time-sheets for 3 times in a year.

like

Dad got laid off. Drinking got worse. Attempted assault on sis and mom. Had to put up in hotel. No clue on next steps (legal and personal). Project is complete shit show and SM is not getting it. Idk man...

like

How is the job security at Delta Air Lines ?
Do they layoff frequently?

HR had mentioned there were no layoffs at tech during the pandemic.

like

Ratings on three projects - 3,2,2. Utilization - 90%... Proposal hours - 15... Firm activities - 43 hrs... I then get a YE rating of 4 😕 ... How worried I should be regarding the layoffs???

like

I heard UKG has fired many employees this year?
Is it good for job security?

Hi Fishes, I've 5.7 YOE in digital marketing and i have an offer from PS for Senior Media Analyst Role in Digital Marketing Domain. After seeing all the layoff post i'm getting scared. It would be helpful if you could please let me know if anyone if fired from Digital Marketing Domain.

DOJ is Oct 31st, i dont have more time. Please comment if you know anyone from Digital Marketing.

Follow up post to my last post…My husband was laid off from the company where I also work. I am feeling really isolated / depressed about working and moving forward. I’m also getting to a stage where I’m really sad that people haven’t reached out to either my husband or myself to send well wishes or provide support. It’s like they don’t know what to say or I make them feel awkward so they don’t bother…I’m trying to focus on a few that have been supportive but it’s hard…Any words of advice? 😞

like

6 months pregnant and just laid off. And 40% of my severance was just taken in taxes .. I just spoke with paid family leave and I no longer qualify even though I had been paying into the program (thanks NY).. I already applied for unemployment but doctors are telling me I’ve got 10-14 weeks left in this pregnancy.. so stressed having twins and being unemployed, no maternity leave, no paychecks coming in, and I’ve been applying but not a single interview.. just ugh. 😭

like

I'm starting to get worried about layoffs! What are good fields to carry or translate these skills into? Has anyone done so? Would appreciate any advice!

like

Will there be layoffs at grip/dentsu? just saw that they’re folding the Grip agency brand 👀

like

Fishes need ur help...my friend s been laid off without notice...any quality analyst jobs please let me know....would be really grateful 2 u all...

A small part of me wish I would get laid off and be forced into freelancing so I can make 💰 💰 💰

like

More Posts

Hi, for new employees- does any one know here how much time Ey background is taking currently outside Uk?

like

What house plants are NOT toxic to cats? I swear every time I go to buy a new plant and look it up it says “toxic to pets”. I have a dumb cane which I know is toxic but didn’t realize when I bought it so now I just keep it in the laundry room away from my cat when I’m at work but that means no daytime sunlight. Would like suggestions on which plants I can buy that are safe to leave alone with my cat 😸

like

How to get a network engineer job in FAANG companies? Please share your suggestions.

like

Hi Fishes...I am a Full Stack Java Developer with cloud knowledge.Currently working in IBM.But interested to work in a FAANG organization.can anyone suggest me what skill should I need to develop to crack these companies interview and how can I get interview call from these companies?

like

@LTIMindtree is offering me onsite opportunity but asking me to work in India 6 months before they actually send me on-site. Is that how it goes ? Also what would be the salary in this case? If anyone has idea it would be great.

likesmart

Doing an India trip next year. Thoughts on spending 2/3 days in Jaipur? Too much? Any tips? TIA

like

Looking to see if there is a Good Samaritan willing to refer me to Meta. Of course only after reviewing my profile…Happy Sunday Everyone 😁

like
like

Any 🐠 here who have left ClearView? How is life? would you have done anything differently at ClearView to set yourself up for a great exit?

like

How long does it typically take to get a verbal offer from ZS Associates (Strategy Insights and Planning) after the final interview?

like

Hello can I get help from someone/ anyone who can help me list my vacant properties for rent on some rental sites to attract potential tenants to begin to contact regarding this properties? I’m currently super busy which so much of work and also needs to fly down to UK . And I can’t get all this done myself. And I’m willing to pay a good amount $$$ weekly for this job to be done perfectly for just 2 weeks. Please DM me if you can help out with this thanks.

likesmart

Langland NYC office, who is your recruiter?

Hi queers, queens and everything in between 💕

like

Could someone share PWC Canada invite code or link?

like

Assuming I’m justified in thinking I deserve a higher bonus/salary, who should I talk to about potential raises (HR, management, etc.)? Should I say that I’m considering other options? (Details below)

like

Deloitte FL/PR is turning into a joke.. if firm morale wasn't already suffering from layoffs, they increase minimum hours through December while half the offices are unassigned. Abandon ship.

like

Does anyone have suggestions for what a salary should be for a Digital Marketing Analyst | Paid Social & Performance Media? I have 1 year of experience, the job asks for 0-1 year of experience. I feel I over meet the qualifications in some areas and just meet them in others. The recruiter said 50k is the salary the company is offer. I know I can negotiate. What are your thoughts on what the salary should be?

like

Desperately looking for an L4 role in APJ or AMER can anyone help?

like

How is dating in Jax? Apps seem to suck. 26M here trying to date or just to make new friends

funnylike

Additional Posts in Senior Leaders and Executives Only

I set up a call today with an even more senior leader (I am an EVP) and asked him for advice on navigating the political waters of our global workplace. He was so honest and helpful it was .....amazing. I don't think I expected it to be so genuinely helpful. I highly suggest you reach above for advice if needed. Sometimes it works!

like

Got an opportunity for a Director role that will oversee a new and major changes across the org but won't have people under me. Should I be worried?

like

I’m a new manager to a newly created team. The team has extremely low morale and in two weeks I’ve had to have 4 difficult conversations about performance. Any ideas to help boost morale quickly?

like

Do you miss anything about the non-executive portion of your career journey?

like

Look at the Future of work , how are you planning to be relevant !

like

How much of your gig is spent interviewing candidates? I feel like that’s a solid 30% of my role these days.

like

I work at a Financial Institution and have recently been approached about a Director role with my prior company. It’s a great opportunity but I have 2 young kids (Preschool/Elementary ages) and I don’t want to sacrifice time with them for career advancement. I would love to hear from working moms in senior leadership roles to understand if it’s possible to balance both, or is it best to wait a few more years? Not happy currently and looking to move, but unsure of pursuing lateral vs. a promotion

Hi all. I’m a ux designer at a small company and need to recruit a few people for usability testing. Our target demographic is people over the age of 35 who’ve been in leaderships positions. If you’re interested I’ll send the link- the test will take about 15-30 minutes and pays 20$. No human interaction required.

Anyone have success using JobScan or ResumeWorded to pass ATS scanners and land more interviews? Looking to refresh my resume after 10 years.

like

Does anyone have experience sitting on boards? I’m interested in doing this at some point in my career, but am not sure how to get started and what’s typically required (both qualifications and work involved)

like

Looking for guidance. I’ve been passively applying to Director roles since January, and actively for 2 weeks now. I’ve gotten one call for a position I didn’t apply to and no other response. Is there something I should be doing to get more traction?

For context, I was hired as a site GM. Then 8 months later made a regional. In January I was placed in a Director capacity pending position approval. The position has been postponed a year tentatively but I’ve been asked to continue in unofficial

like

I’ve been a mid-level manager (Sr Operations Manager) for the last three years. Been in my industry for 10 years. I feel I have plateaued in my career path. I’m trying to promote to a Director of Operations role in house and looking at outside opportunities as well. I feel like it’s taken longer to obtain this position than my previous roles. Any advice from Sr/Exec Management to be more self aware and fill in the holes to finally hit the finish line?

like

What things have direct reports done that have impressed you? I have one - one of my managers just sent me an extremely perfect mid year review with actions milestone outcomes - bottle necks. So simple and clear to measure success for end of Q4. Thank you 🙏 hiring god who found this employee.

likeuplifting

What's your opinion on restricted stock?

My boss asked me to submit my career aspirations after bringing in someone in a new position over me. Is this a bill shit assignment? Has anyone else ever asked to do this?

like

Is anyone a member of Chief? Do you recommend?

like

I’m currently considering an offer and am finding that all online compensation benchmarking is falling flat in terms of understanding how I should be looking at comp for this role. I’d value your advice on how to access cleaner comp data and/or how you might look at comp for this role: Chief People Officer for a $2.5BIL revenue ($150MIL net income) global organization. 50,000 employees. USA based. Looking for Total Comp and cash targets/benchmarks.

like

Does anyone work or run a satellite office? I’m in a role where our satellite office has no designated leadership that sits regularly with HQ decisions makers. It’s me and an ECD expected to run the day to day with no visibility into the network. We routinely get agency decisions rolling down to us without guidance on how to implement. I’ve never worked in a satellite office before, what are typical leadership structures and processes for a satellite to be successful?

like

Working my way up the corporate ladder. I have so many thoughts on leadership and want to initiate changes in the departments I work with. But at this level it's so difficult. Ppl are so resistant to change.

My key learning thus far in my career: Noone gives a shit about your ideas unless you're a head honcho. Real change is brought about from a position of authority.

like

Help me understand why executives lie and gaslight so often. I’m new to this and don’t feel comfortable doing it.

likehelpful

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal