How To Work Closely With Your Manager When Your Relationship Is Tense?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. A short summary:
I manage a small team and have recently been appointed a new manager. They have direct responsibility for managing me and helping support me (when needed) as I manage my staff.
Yet unlike with my previous manager, that I worked somewhat harmoniously with, as though ploughing through the daily grind as a team of two, my new manager seemingly likes to charge forward alone. More of a micro manager than I am used to.
I feel like they make greater efforts to manage my staff, and get to know my staff, than they do me (their actual staff). I want to ensure good relationships across the entire team - at all levels - but when my own manager favors one colleague under my management in particular, as though they were their own staff, as opposed to me, it has left me feeling unwanted and undervalued. Something that hasn't existed in my entire time in the role.
I have raised some of my concerns, and they have listened, but I am not sure how sincere the acknowledgement. Yet now I feel we're stuck in a somewhat tense and frosty relationship that is civil but not thriving as it was under my former manager. I didn't want to compare the two because everyone brings something unique to the team and their role, but I also don't appreciate feeling this way. Almost anxious to even come to work.
I don't feel trusted to manage my staff, contrary to the fact I have - thus far - had no problems.
How do I work closely with them under such circumstances?