"You should be in charge..."

**Mogura** · 11-25-2011, 02:56 AM

How often do you hear this phrase, what are the circumstances that elicited it, and most importantly, do you take it seriously?

I hear this quite often. For some ungodly reason for the most part I have had bosses and managers that are fairly low on both the IQ and EQ scales. Not only that, they are unmotivated and have a knack for pissing off the wrong people, thus making them ineffective as leaders and/or managers.

I, on the other hand, have a "let's do things right the first time" philosophy. You don't have to have a high IQ or be a rocket scientist to embrace this. All you have to do is make a reasonable effort to understand what it is you are doing (including any associated technologies or procedures) and proceed in a concientious, diligent manner.

As for dealing with people, I treat them with respect and listen to them and give them honest, yet tactful responses to their inquiries or concerns. Again, you don't have to be a professional PUA to figure that out.

So after a while of "doing what I do", I will start getting the "You should be in charge" comments from people. It's nice to hear, and given my bosses' aforementioned ineffective work ethic and attitudes, I can't help but agree. But still, what in the hell am I supposed to do about it?

Are these people just complementing my work in a sincere, yet unusual manner, or are they suggesting that I "make a move" to take my manager's job? I should mention that this is not a comment I have heard as a one-off deal. Co-workers from unrelated departments have mentioned it, as well individuals repeating it several times. I am willing to consider the option that it is less about me, as much as it is about their personal dissatisfaction with my managers.

Any ideas what it all means and the best approach to take?

**MrFox** · 11-25-2011, 06:17 AM

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Any ideas what it all means and the best approach to take?

It means people who are in no position to do anything for you apparently approve of your work and feel you should have more responsibility. So what?

Until you hear it from your boss' boss, it's a tree falling in a distant forrest. Does he even know who you are, let alone what you accomplish?

**envirodude** · 11-25-2011, 07:18 AM

It's likely about dissatisfaction with your boss. People like to feel they are effective in their jobs, and your boss is impeding their job satisfaction.

MrFox is correct: wrt advancement: praise from plebes is compimentary, but won't get you anywhere. Now, if your job actually means something to you, then you may choose to continue to play your role as a quietly effective cog. Lots of competent drones out there, satisfied to "do their job".

**Mogura** · 11-25-2011, 05:34 PM

	Originally Posted by MrFox To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Until you hear it from your boss' boss, it's a tree falling in a distant forrest. Does he even know who you are, let alone what you accomplish?

Actually, I have heard it from my boss' boss (He told me directly on more than one occasion). He didn't follow his statements up with action though.

**Autumnleaf** · 11-25-2011, 09:10 PM

I hear it often a few places I go. I try not to let it go to my head because I don't want to get fired.

11-25-2011, 02:56 AM	#1
Mogura Core Member [175%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7,031	How often do you hear this phrase, what are the circumstances that elicited it, and most importantly, do you take it seriously? I hear this quite often. For some ungodly reason for the most part I have had bosses and managers that are fairly low on both the IQ and EQ scales. Not only that, they are unmotivated and have a knack for pissing off the wrong people, thus making them ineffective as leaders and/or managers. I, on the other hand, have a "let's do things right the first time" philosophy. You don't have to have a high IQ or be a rocket scientist to embrace this. All you have to do is make a reasonable effort to understand what it is you are doing (including any associated technologies or procedures) and proceed in a concientious, diligent manner. As for dealing with people, I treat them with respect and listen to them and give them honest, yet tactful responses to their inquiries or concerns. Again, you don't have to be a professional PUA to figure that out. So after a while of "doing what I do", I will start getting the "You should be in charge" comments from people. It's nice to hear, and given my bosses' aforementioned ineffective work ethic and attitudes, I can't help but agree. But still, what in the hell am I supposed to do about it? Are these people just complementing my work in a sincere, yet unusual manner, or are they suggesting that I "make a move" to take my manager's job? I should mention that this is not a comment I have heard as a one-off deal. Co-workers from unrelated departments have mentioned it, as well individuals repeating it several times. I am willing to consider the option that it is less about me, as much as it is about their personal dissatisfaction with my managers. Any ideas what it all means and the best approach to take?
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11-25-2011, 07:18 AM	#3
envirodude Core Member [111%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 4,447	It's likely about dissatisfaction with your boss. People like to feel they are effective in their jobs, and your boss is impeding their job satisfaction. MrFox is correct: wrt advancement: praise from plebes is compimentary, but won't get you anywhere. Now, if your job actually means something to you, then you may choose to continue to play your role as a quietly effective cog. Lots of competent drones out there, satisfied to "do their job".
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11-25-2011, 09:10 PM	#5
Autumnleaf Core Member [227%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 9,097	I hear it often a few places I go. I try not to let it go to my head because I don't want to get fired.
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