I've seen more than one situation where someone has been promoted simply because they were friends with someone higher up than them, or they got along well with their manager. In both cases, the promotion ended up being a disaster for everyone involved (including the manager). Any self-respecting company would n-p this in the but, yet it keeps happening here. Go figure.
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All the sh---y little AVPs who know absolutely nothing about managing people and/or nothing about technology, but who have the MBA credentials hanging in their cubicle to impress any and all who may drop by, are in part, the reason this company is so sh---y and so toxic. They've been promoted because in their zeal to impress their circle of friends they have adopted the woke culture T is so proudly implementing.
All these bi----s know how to do is follow a script when dealing with employees and manage by spreadsheet. T is full of AVPs like this. The male AVPs turn themselves into the most woke, nutless wonders on the planet.
Oh they know to ask the right questions in 1 on 1 meetings with their boss and how to stoke his/her ego and all, but they know absolutely nothing about how to really effectively manage a team to perform at their absolute best. All they know is what they've learned in business school chasing that $100,000 MBA. That's why they ask the most stupid fu----g questions in status meetings or design reviews, claiming the "documentation isn't clear enough" and then go on to change the color of arrows on power point charts and move one text box down to the next page.
There's no shortage of power point executives at AT&T.
This happens in every company at every level, that question is like asking why executive bathrooms have nicer toilet paper.
Often when a job opening occurs the management already knows who they want, be it nepotism, friendship, capability. They still make the position available to all going through the process, but in the end pick the person they wanted in the first place. In other words, if they aren't grooming you, you'll just have to hope luck is on your side.
Management by cronyism and nepotism. It's the AT&T way. It's everywhere at all companies, but T just seems to be masters of the game and cultivates the culture 24x7.
Can't tell you how many effing inept managers I've had at T that totally screwed things up, then got promoted or transferred to another group at a higher level.
If you're smart and know your job and do well, you'll never move. If you are incompetent and need a job aide just to wipe your a$$ and get dressed in the morning you'll get promoted and rise fast thru the ranks.
managers buy friends with favors. lovely lot.
This has been true for decades. I left a department many years ago because a totally incompetent individual was promoted to replace my manager, who was leaving to teach. Why? Seems that individual had been inviting the our manager to dinner at her house and giving her gifts. They were friends so it was a done deal. It was an eyeopener, and I've seen friends promoting friends for many years since. How you work has nothing to do with promotions. It is who you know.
lol I have seen people do stuff that others got fired for but they just seem to do what they want and move any where they want and they always come out of it smelling like a rose it is just fricken amazing. not sure how or why but it is amazing.
High School Graduate here.
I dated (on the side) a young Division level. After 5 years of service, I'm now a District Level. Let me tell you. It's not exactly who you know - but W.Y.B--W.
Hey for my $275k salary - I worked H(ard) to get this job. You've got to B---, I mean kiss a lot of frogs to find a Price or in my case - be a District Level making......$275k.
Welcome to the Boys & Girls Club!
When I was an engineer at AT&T, my boss had a GED. It was insulting and she was a complete mo--n. Leave AT&T - you’ll be happier when working with intelligent people.
Human nature happens in every company regardless.
So just become friends with someone higher up or your manager if you want the promotion instead no?
Why would anyone promote someone they barely know purely based on performance?
You have very low sampling data of just 2 personal examples gone wrong, don't be so cynical and seek the promotion yourself.
Someone else gets promoted and you gotta blame it on some nefarious reason. Maybe it's you? More accomplishments and less complaining.
typical at other companies, not just at&t
And the ridiculous Dallas only mentality, just so that their buddy system works. And always someone racing to AVP or VP in actuality a matter of months.
It happens all the time. Been with this company for a while and for the most part, they end up working out and a few self exposed how much they couldn't do the job. Sadly to say but this culture is everywhere and I'm sure not just here. Remember once they get to that level 2 promotion by a friend or with help, after that they can pretty much cruise it anywhere they want without a helping hand.