Some of these leaders only have 4–5 direct reports, yet they carry themselves as if they're God's gift to the program. Instead of leading, it feels like their job consists of asking Gemini to write emails and forwarding them.
What's even more concerning is that some Assistant Directors seem to lack fundamental leadership skills. It appears they earned these positions through politics and bootlicking rather than proven performance, yet they're still trusted to make important decisions.
Even worse, several have never consistently come close to hitting quota, but instead of taking accountability, they blame the frontline teams. Leadership is about owning results, developing people, and setting the example—not shifting responsibility.
If someone can't effectively lead a team of five, it raises serious questions about the standards for leadership.
7 replies (most recent on top)
I know there is a finance director in corporate with no direct reports.
Interesting take. I’m curious to know if this post was created by a lackluster VEC employee, or by an employee within a different department?
Either way, you both lose. Verizon is dying and no longer resonates with the average American whom seeks simplicity, clarity, and affordability. Goodluck!
You are describing DEI in VEC. In Engineering we saw VEC Top talent last 3 years leave from AD to Director levels and what remains is DEI leftovers.
Shame is Vz culture did not reward meritocracy.
@OP On the Wireless side the ADs direct reports rarely speak to each other. They have their teams working themselves mad not knowing they are reversing the work other teams are doing. A manager of S4 has her reports doing manual work while saying that she was able to automate the processes. It all Hollywood magic.
You should see the Sh@t show of TSO Business Development in B2B! 14 individual contributors led by 2 highly incompetent ADs and a Director. That’s close to 3:1 in leadership and still couldn’t deliver results if their lives depended on it. Can’t wait for this entire overlay org to go away and stop getting paid and praise for my results!!
@OP You just described what the frontline of wireless supply chain has been saying for years. Who knows how many billions are being, not have been, wasted on bridges to nowhere while reporting everything is a success and goals were met. Anything that proves they weren't is covered up faster than you can say "transparency" in order to claim plausible deniability if it is ever discovered. If they are the ones left standing, how will anything get done when they have no experience in anything they have actually managed. Thank goodness techs and engineers can keep the network operational regardless of how bad the inventory for their towers has been managed by supply chain, otherwise we might be having this conversation on tin cans connected by strings. I don't know how they do it. They are some the real heroes in all of this because without them my phone is just a paperweight.
I work in the WCC and the Senior Manager has 3 direct reports . How is this even possible and you’re called Senior Manager? It’s laughable…..and this person is not strong at all. My supervisor has 20 years in the stores and has no skills whatsoever….basic skills missing he talks a good show..this is why Verizon is where we are now!