Victim of Success. Today one of my former direct reports told me I was a victim of my own success and was being targeted. She said, you set out to build this new team and you have been successful. And some people are watching in awe, and others are watching in envy. How have others handled this? With my project teams and direct reports and peers I am known as one of the most collaborative people in our company. It’s the VP level where I am getting all the blowback. Regression to the mean anyone?

Haterz are gonna hate. You keep doin you. And you aren’t a victim, you are paving your own success

I’m not sure. However, we know jealousy comes with success. What stood out to me was growing up I had a friend who always knew what was being said about me & would tell me. One day I asked why are they so comfortable telling you. This direct report I def wouldn’t trust. Bringers are also carriers. They might be swimming in both ponds.

It’s awesome that you’re so good at what you do! And frustrating to hear such input, especially since it sounds like you’re ambitious and caring. I first recommend you let your intuition in the most before taking in other people’s voices. Have you been feeling like you’re being targeted? Are you feeling successful? How does the situation feel to you?

Secondly, a successful person in the right environment will repeat and demonstrate their record of success. Your wins are duplicatable because the secret sauce is you. Re the VP level bit - what are your aims? Are you trying to get stakeholder buy in for a project? Are you aiming to continue to climb up? And regardless of those goals, what’s keeping you at that company that you can’t do anywhere else?

I applaud you for the 360 perspective you are gaining. It ensures there are no blind spots as you continue to succeed. While not everyone will adore nor care about the effort you put forth the influencers / executive leaders will see it. I would say while you are in the spotlight, kick it up a notch. What additional success can you deliver to ensure your seat at the table.

Continue to climb and don't forget to let down the ladder. Celebrate your success!

I would recommend to not over think and just continue doing what you’ve been doing - which is achieving more success!

Unless you are facing any challenges that might come from this angle and needs action, it’s not really useful information. It doesn’t empower you in anyway or help solving any problems.

What she said might be true, but if you’re doing well and being ambitious, there will be competition and will be people feeling threatened or whatever. It doesn’t mean that those people will like you if you’re mediocre. And real good people won’t be threatened by good people, hopefully your great work will speak for you and those good people will help defending you. If not, you identified a company will really bad culture - maybe find something else.

But for now, no action needed, don’t even think about it, and definitely not regress to the mean! And if she keep mentioning it, maybe throw back some questions like “oh how did you know about this” and “any chance you know who those people are” for some fact check.

Do you think she might be wrong? I know it’s not always the case but when people get to VP they typically just want strong people, and people that make them look good. You will get some haters, but in general I don’t think this is the case.

Well folks. Appreciate all the advice. Take aways. Haters gonna hate. Keep doing you. And think about where you can do this other than your current company.

The Queen Bee currently directing my team’s course has the power and the status and the ear of others. No matter what I do I can’t overcome her negative positioning of my team and our work. So I am not going to.

Resignation goes in tomorrow.