Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Being too good at your job will keep you stuck

I have seen this happen to several people I work with. They are so good at what they do that management refuses to move them up because filling their current role would be too hard AND they make them look good. They're basically being punished for being competent.


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Post ID: @OP+1ksmw9y09

18 replies (most recent on top)

If it's a promotion then your leadership can not hold you. This tells me you're actually a mediocre worker and this is just your excuse on why you've never been promoted.

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Post ID: @w9+1ksmw9y09

@a3 excelling at a task will only take them so far... they probably are socially awkward or for whatever reason can't or wont play "the game" so they get stuck at L1 or L2

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Post ID: @te+1ksmw9y09

Hi Dilbert!!

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Post ID: @p7+1ksmw9y09

You must be one of those high performers.

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Post ID: @cf+1ksmw9y09

Its not how good you are.
Its how good your boss thinks you are.

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Post ID: @c1+1ksmw9y09

@ay Phil, you’re a legend here at HQ. You have helped so many of us retire sooner than expected.

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Post ID: @br+1ksmw9y09

This is very true

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Post ID: @bp+1ksmw9y09

They had hopes and dreams and T crushed it. They are forgetting that at T, you really just need to act your wage. No extras. You're compensated for what they hired you for, anything extra you give is an unpaid physical and mental labor.

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Post ID: @bk+1ksmw9y09

Let’s face it. If you are posting on this site, this isn’t a valid concern you need to worry about.

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Post ID: @b7+1ksmw9y09

@av There is no shame in contentment. Ambition is not necessarily a recipe for a well-lived life.

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Post ID: @b4+1ksmw9y09

Correction*

Being good at your job and not showing an ability to do something else.......

Lots of people in this company have worked the same job or same org their entire career. Some are too scared to risk doing something new because they "excel" at doing the SAME DAMMN THING for decades.

Being "good" at what you have done forever doesn't translate into being talented at anything else.

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Post ID: @b3+1ksmw9y09

That's what happened to me.
But turned out OK as I day traded for 30 yrs and made lots and lots and lots of money.
T was my hobby. Trading was my job.
Signed,
Switchroom Phil

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Post ID: @ay+1ksmw9y09

“They have to make a move when that happens, but it is easier to just stay put.”

But that means I would have to take accountability for my current predicament. No thank you.

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Post ID: @av+1ksmw9y09

Conversely being too good at getting stuck will keep you in a job.

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Post ID: @af+1ksmw9y09

@a2 some people risk losing a lot by not staying put.

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Post ID: @a5+1ksmw9y09

@a3 do you know me? :)

That is the story of my life at AT&T for the last several years.

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Post ID: @a4+1ksmw9y09

It’s called “too valuable to production.” Yes it’s a thing. I know a few like that. They punch way above their level and if you didn’t check their title, you’d think they were a very competent AVP or at least a Director, nope, they are L2 seniors or principals. Those are the people you want to move up, but the bosses won’t let them.

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Post ID: @a3+1ksmw9y09

This is true but the real problem is choosing the wrong employer. People know when they are being pigeon-holed. They have to make a move when that happens, but it is easier to just stay put.

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Post ID: @a2+1ksmw9y09

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