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First 45 Days Drama? Mastering New Hire & Manager Relationships
Bill Achola
November 26, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Ah, the honeymoon phase.
In the workplace, it’s that golden period when everything should be shiny, new, and filled with promise.
But what do you do when, instead of mutual admiration, the new hire and their manager are already on the verge of a divorce—within the first 45 days?
Welcome to the HR Twilight Zone, where mismatched expectations, clashing personalities, and simmering tensions threaten to derail productivity faster than you can say “team-building retreat.”
If you’re a leader, navigating this kind of awkward drama, you’re not alone.
Let’s unpack how to approach this sticky situation with a mix of strategy, empathy, and a sprinkle of tough love.
And hey, let me know your thoughts in the comments because we all have a Jake or Mary in our workplace stories.
The Backstory: When "It's Not You, It's Them" Goes Corporate
Meet Jake, a director who, let’s face it, might need to brush up on his managerial finesse.
He’s on his third employee in six months, which is about as reassuring as a used car salesman saying, “She’s only had a few previous owners.”
Enter Mary, the newbie with an impressive resume and a knack for speaking her mind—perhaps a little too directly for Jakes’s liking.
Within weeks, things go south.
He’s frustrated by her “attitude” and tardiness.
She’s fed up with his “lack of training” and perceived incompetence.
Now, you, their leader, are caught in the crossfire.
Mary’s skills are critical for your organization, but Jakes’s your seasoned (albeit problematic) manager.
Who do you back, and how do you fix this?
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