Lois has been interviewed for several promotional opportunities over the years. Each time, she has been turned down and told that although her qualifications are impressive, another candidate was selected. What Lois was not told was the truth: that she irritated the oral board members by talking too much and by appearing to be condescending. Lois has spent time and money on workshops and classes to improve her promotion potential but none of those efforts addressed her real problem. The Human Resources Department has told the oral board members not to say anything to any of the unsuccessful job applicants other than "Another well qualified person was selected." Lois continues to apply for promotion.
You served on the last oral board and know about Lois's past efforts.
Do you tell Lois the truth?
Should HR tell Lois the truth?
What is good for the company?
ReplyDeleteWhat is good for her?
Do no harm.
Is HR trying to get rid of Lois? I think what you have here is a failure on HR's part to do all of their job. If all they are doing is screening applicants and filling out hiring paperwork then any recruiting firm can do their job. If they are really supposed to develop and support the company's staff then someone needs to let Lois know how she comes across. It could be that she "is" condescending. That can't be good in more than just interview situations. The company should be addressing it.
ReplyDeleteIt could also be that Lois doesn't handle the stress of interviewing well and the "too much talking" and apparent bad attitude is the result. Providing Lois with some outside interview coaching could be done without anyone at the company even having to identify the problem with her. A good coach should see it as well.
Personally, I would talk with her one on one and tell her what I see. After all, I liked her qualifications and references well enough to want to interview her. A manager has to help the staff grow and develop skills, otherwise why have the manager?
In a large company... I worked with somebody who was very obnoxious and said inappropriate things at inappropriate times, but obviously did not mean any harm and was very talented otherwise. Our manager's solution was to find her a mentor within the organization. Within a few months, she was a different person because the mentor was not her manager and could become friendly and be frank. I think this is the way to go if a company is too scared to address people problems and the manager wants to take some action to fix the situation.
ReplyDelete1. Yes
ReplyDelete2. Yes
First, I would go to the CEO and tell him/her that the HR Dept are a waste of breatheable air and good food. What are we going to do here? Let this woman, who is clearly effective on many levels, continue to delude herself that she is promoteable because we don't have the courage to tell her that her personal style is a bit 'off?'
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'd tell Lois the truth - politely, constructively, but very clearly. And I would tell her that it is my guess that it is this issue that is holding her back and immdiately offer to mentor her and serve as whatever kind of sounding board she needs me to be.
What is happening to Lois is reflective of everything that is wrong in the corporate arena right now - and most of that stems from a distinct lack of backbone.
Good observations! I agree that a big part of the problem is HR viewing a recruitment as solely the process of filling a vacancy as opposed to evaluating the skills of potential candidates for current and future vacancies. (We all know that the lawyers have probably played a role in this restriction.) HR has to have the courage to go beyond the clerical and talk to Lois.
ReplyDeleteAnd her line manager needs to set aside his/her Master's Degree in Nose-Picking and start doing his/her job!
ReplyDeletedepends. If Lois had half a brain in her head she would have seen the writing on the wall by now. Would jumping ship help her? Probably not. Personally, I believe it is her supervisor's role (an not HR's) to groom her for the next step. If that means a mentor, then by all means get Lois to lunch with a some fresh eyes and ears.
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