My director got fired. His rival is taking his place. What to expect?

Change is hard, but to succeed in a political organization with political currents in the mix, you have to embrace it, so if you choose to stay, I recommend adopting a fresh perspective -- Your old job is over. This is a new job. Forget all past attachments to your old boss and walk into this new team with an open mind. Maybe the new boss is a decent leader, maybe not, but go in without any preconceived notions, do the work and see what happens.

Realize that even though it may be political, the leadership chose your new boss, so he is doing something they like. You are tanking your own role if you go in fighting. So go in and see what is going on that is working. There may be completely different measures of success vs. what you were striving for, which is why there is a discrepancy in how people view performance. Learn what the desired outcomes and expectations are, and why.

And if you spend some time in that mode of learning and acceptance and find they are all idiots, then leave. It is never too late to walk out. But give them a chance - there is a possibility that teams other than your own are different, but still decent teams.

This is a political battle that will only be won with politics. Your performance won't save you; only your display of loyalty stands a chance.

Display your allegiance to the new director before he makes his final decision on who to cut. Find out what the new director wants to hear, and say it. If that means slagging on the old director, then so be it.

Show that you can be a member of the new pack. This is about survival.

Talk to the new director with your team (ask for a meeting. You need clarity from him on a) his expectations on what the teams needs to be considered performing - his expectation of good. b) clarity on goals for next period (6-12 months) c) how he likes to work, his processes and preferences for the working relations ship. i.e email vs messaging, meetings to explore a topic vs written proposals and then a discussion.

Clarity on some of these topics will help you navigate the uncertainly - ask questions, open ended, ask for examples of how specific things work with the current team), listen more, talk less. Basically show that your team wants to work constructively with them.

Update your resume immediately. If you want to remain at the company then start looking for an internal transfer before he inevitably gives you a bad rating for your next review (and a PIP will inevitably follow). Also start looking externally either way.

The only alternative is to brown nose good and hard and convince the new boss you will be an asset for his shenanigans. But odds are good he’s already decided you aren’t a piece in the puzzle he’s building and nothing you can do will change that.

Trust your gut, keep the stock and find a gig where you feel welcome.

> By the end he seemed intent on making my team out to be underperforming

Just like a male lion defeating the old king and taking over a pride, he’s looking to clear out all the “dead wood” (kits from the prior king) with his entrance.

You may want to update your CV and start putting yourself out there, as you might end up getting canned no matter what you do or how well you perform. After all, the best time to look for a new job is while you are still employed.

Similar thing has happened to me. Close to a year ago, it was decided that my old manager had too many direct reports, so our group was split into 2. I was asked by my manager if I wanted to apply to manage the new team, which I was not enthusiastic about. I had considered it and weighed my options:

1. Known quality of life and work decrease for having to focus on middle management tasks instead of getting my hands dirty.

2. Big gamble on not knowing what kind of manager we might get.

So, I declined and gambled on a new manager. So far, this has gone terribly. Our group morale and productivity is super low as we now have a petty micromanager with no technical skills a technical team. They insert themselves into our processes with no knowledge of how any of it works, demand that they are cc’d on all communications with any manager or above, and complain when we disagree with their opinions, calling that disagreement disrespectful.

I have been looking at job boards just about every day since.

Had a similar situation and decided to leave. In the hindsight that was a correct decision. In the end one works for a manager, not a whole company. At least it feels like that for an individual contributor.

As with any new role/team/etc, the best course forward is to set some "evaluation time frames" at the start and then follow through with the process of deeply reconsidering whether it is actually a good fit at each checkpoint. My rough set of early such milestones happen at one month, three months, six months, and one year. If it is not, then the best way forward is to simply start looking for a new role/team/etc either internally or externally.

> I would probably change companies if not for the fact that the companies stock price tripled in the last year. And I would probably move organizations if not for the fact that I work in a specialty that I can’t work in elsewhere in the company.

You seem to be an “I would…if not for…”. Those people never amount to anything. Try to be something else.

Not what you asked, but: Accept this challenge as an opportunity. Find ways to deal with it. You will grow a lot because of that. Good luck!

(Opposite suggestion to some sibling comments which recommend to look for another job)

The way we eliminate all politics where I work, all problem-solving interactions are solution-focused. Someone may lay some blame, that is immediately met with one of the team asking “what’s the solution look like to you?” Enough repetition of this creates an environment where nobody opens their mouth unless prepared to suggest a solution to be discussed.

This is a VERY clear sign your days there are numbered. Remember you will often loss 15 to 30 percent if you let them fire you verses finding a new job.

The groups merging is like a corporate merge, or buy out. The people bought out are at risk. I have so many stories but not the time.

Well, just come out as gay or recovering alcoholic or something that will make them think twice about firing you by being afraid of a lawsuit. Should work at least for a few months until you have some time to figure your next move

You will most likely be fired.

Make your boss successful and you'll be successful. Unless your boss is an asshole, in which case you'll just be another asshole.

> I would probably change companies if not for the fact that the companies stock price tripled in the last year.

Wow.

Anyone who is perceived as close to your director will be pushed out.

> So my director was very suddenly fired one morning. Just gone

this is not good

to me sound pretty medioeval

Start interviewing.