I have a boss who constantly “throws me under the bus” in front of clients. When client doesn’t like our suggestion I usually present (that even my boss approved), my boss would say that it was my fault and we will go over it internally again. Every single time. I told her at times that this is puzzling because she also agreed upon what we will be presenting. I want to tell her to stop doing this. I don’t feel supported because the client now doesn’t have a good optics of me to work with. Tips?

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Posting as :
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They do realize that by throwing you under the bus it makes them look incompetent as a leader who lets work they “don’t approve” make it to a presentation? Like this is so dumb on even the most selfish level. Ugh I’m sorry.

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Exactly this. I guarantee you the client is going away thinking she has no grasp on their business and is not only asleep at the wheel but is trying to deflect from her own incompetence. No smart client won't see through this.

If this is a reoccurring issue, start your presentations letting the client know the material has been developed in partnership with your boss.

likesmarthelpful

This is not a leader. Get out.

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The best bosses deflect all the credit and take all the blame. You need to find a new boss.

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Like literally blame you in front of the client?

That's arguably the #1 thing NOT to do as a leader and manager. There are no tips for that bs.

Work with a different boss, get a new job.

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Also - know that by leaving, you'll likely find a way better situation. That was what happened me. I had an awful boss who made my professional self confidence crumble.
I left, ultimately joined Google, felt my self belief grow, got promoted twice, and I now earn 4X what I did back then. YMMV, but life's too short.

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You can do it, OP! Life's too short.

Sorry to say, but agree with those who sat get out. This is intentionally toxic behavior; job #1 for anyone as a manager is to lift up your team and set them up for success. Failure is yours to own as the boss, success should be all about the team. Sounds like this person is not just a bad leader, but purposefully trying to sabotage his or her team.

Sounds like you’ve tried to raise it with him or her, but it hasn’t gotten anywhere. Just list this experience as freelance if you’re worried about a short tenure, and focus your energies on finding a new opportunity with a boss who actually supports and builds you up.

Good luck, feel free to DM if you want to chat more or need advice on navigating out of a bad situation…

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A leader lifts a team. A manager...not so much.

I’m just really scared because it’s only been my 3rd month here… and my boss is the evp of the company so she has a lot more political power. I don’t want me leaving the agency in 3 months give me a bad look on my resume… and at my chance for mba next year. I’m so concerned…

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Designer1 is right - have an explanation (without having to throw her under the bus either ;-) or just leave it off your resume. If I’m interviewing you, I normally pick up on gaps, so I might ask. In that case, have an answer prepared… but I wouldn’t recommend staying there.

I've had a CD like this -- it's 1000% an insecurity issue. It says more about her than you.

Some people will never be good leaders because they're too wrapped up in their own pathologies.

These dynamics are career cancer IMO.

Unless you can convince higher ups to remove you from her team -- it's worth looking into other places.

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I would look for another job and find a mantra that keeps you sane while you are stuck there. You won't be able to fix this dynamic if they are the EVP. I've worked with producers like this, and everyone is fair game and usually they also tend to promise clients things that you will have to execute without consulting you at all about how to scope it properly.

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This is interesting. Not in a good way. But more to understand the rationale behind doing this.

To me it also sounds like this may be a difficult client and to mitigate that you need to address their feedback when presenting.
——————
So, the only advice I can give is:

1. When you are presenting set the marker by covering previous feedback

2. Why you’re moving in this direction

3. Calling out the approval - stating that both you, your evp and team believe this is a strong route that addresses the problem and delivers the solution the client is after.
—————————-

This way you are covering/addressing the clients previous feedback and that the whole team has approved this campaign/creative.

Another way, if it’s an existing client is to:

1. get them on a call before and tease the route(s) you are about to present(ideation phase) to get an indicator of which they prefer
2. then go forward and make it great.
3. Cover the call in feedback opener of the meeting

What an awful situation. I hope this helps.

Good luck.

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The 3rd advice point here is key. It's not your POV, it's the agency POV. Use words like 'we', 'the agency recommends...' and 'let US take it back and consider'

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I don’t have experience with the account side of things but from a creative perspective, it’s the CD’s job to curate the ideas presented to the client.

Don’t bring up your feelings of being scapegoated (or any other conflict, slights or drama) in front of the client. They don’t want to see any agency politics.

If you have periodic 1on 1 reviews with your boss, that’s the time to discuss the issue. If you only get quarterly or annual reviews and it’s months from now, ask for a 1on 1 meeting.

Then in a professional context, remind your boss that if something is being presented with her knowledge, that means it’s got her tacit approval and meets her standards to be seen by and sold to clients.

If you’re role is client-facing, you need to be given the support and guidance by her to have credibility with the client.

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