GSR8 who’s been tapped for LL6 role. Not sure I want to take the leap. Mgmt lease would be nice and I drive a lot but can anyone familiar with the program tell me how much it costs? Is the lease fee a % of msrp or a random amount?
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Okay. Not an LLx but am a GSR in maintenance and have to fill in and be the LL6 when he is on vacation which means I work very closely with him. If you got offered an LL6 spot and want to advance your career the don’t blink an eye at it and say yes, but only if you can say yes to these questions. Do you pride yourself a leader more than a manager? Do you have thick skin? Do you stay calm and suppress emotion no matter the situation? If in maintenance are you able to mediate trades constantly complaining about a tasks or about what the other shifts did or didn’t do? Can you mediate your supervisors occasionally getting on each others nerves? Can you handle having constant issues due to worn out equipment to constantly be told that you have been denied the funding for new equipment and to make it work? Are you a leader that wants to change things for the better in every aspect from JPH to moral? Do you want to be the guy/girl that makes your team members actually not mind coming to work because they have faith in the leadership.
And as far as the backstabbing, yes, it gets worse. Just like it does in every single corporate environment in the world when you get promoted. There will always be someone that thinks they should have got the promotion instead of you. No matter what. But just remember there is a reason you got it over them and keep being you. Back up everything and get everything you can in black and white. It’s the corporate world. The only thing I notice about the LL6 and up level is that it seems at that level it’s a lot like being in the military. You go where you are told or you quit. You may be the LL6 in stamping today and get moved to paint next week. It is what it is.
You should have one already, but make a 90 day (or a little more) exit plan and then take the job to see what it's all about. If you like it, stay, if you don't then leave.
Don't let anyone gaslight you about changing jobs often. It's actually high agency to cut your losses. They can do it, why can't you?
You have to decide if you want money or a life. LL6 comes with more time at work and less time to spend on you. We can always make more money but youth and life events cannot happen again. I had aspirations to move through the ranks but seeing a top level executive crying over their children’s accomplishments and realizing they weren’t there for most of it changed that tuned real quick. So, I believe you shouldn’t be asking if the management is worth it. Instead you should be asking if that is what your life if worth?
RE: If you want to know if the management lease is a good deal, just look in the parking lot.
It tells me that we need more Indians and less chiefs. Even Hacket had this figured out, we need some workers to do the work, not LL's to Toss Some Salad !!! Kissing behind doesn't solve problems.
A lot full of management leases tell anyone we have too much management in case the oxygen level is to low in your skybox office for you to understand.
LL-id--ts!
LL6 can be very lucrative. You are more likely, than a GSR, to have direct knowledge of legal misconduct. Simply gather the evidence and contact a lawyer, like this Hyundai employee:
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2021/11/09/former-hyundai-engineer-multimillionaire-whistleblower/6356925001/
Not sure about leaving too soon after getting a LL6 promotion. But it sure doesn't obligate you to stay for any amount t of time. Any consideration you give to this should be how it effects your career history. Can you deal with the upgraded BS level for a year? Then why not? Turn in the car and split after that. But while you're working do right by the people you lead and do it right. Having integrity with your assignment will put you heads above a lit of LL5s as well as your peers, I can tell you that.
Only thing I would really disagree with here is that OP should not take the job if they are thinking about leaving. If you are thinking of leaving you have nothing to lose! WHY NOT take the promotion and then leave? Is it dishonorable? He-l no. Would Ford give you a heads up before letting you go? Taking a promotion obligates you to nothing! LLs that are bitter if you do that can then try to manipulate your career from a distance if they'd like. Especially if you leave automotive they will be shouting at a brick wall and over playing thier hand.
If you want to know if the management lease is a good deal, just look in the parking lot. Its either a good deal or management is full of a bunch of financial mo--ns.
Okay, fair enough it could be both.
@OP think carefully about your career goals before taking LL6. If you really think you want to rise in the Ford management ranks and are willing to participate in the Ford leadership games then go for it. If you want to leave Ford in the future HARD PASS.
The lease cars only made financial sense when we had driving teenagers. The insurance for teenage boys is quite high.
Things I will tell you about being a LL6
- the knifing, backstabbing and credit stealing intensifies at the LL6 level. There are a bunch of people who know they are stuck at Ford (no marketable technical skills and very few companies hire lower level management- they promote from within)
- in addition to your peer LL6 stabbing you, you will have GSRs stabbing you.
- the likelyhood that you will be laid off increases when you are a LL6.
- your life will change every time the LL5 play musical chairs. There are a number of nut-job and abusive LL5. Precious few LL5 are competent.
Dealing with all those GSR PRs…no thanks
Don't forget, the lease includes insurance. More importantly, the LL level gets much more in the way of bonuses.
People here are forgetting to account for how much money you lose when a vehicle depreciates over time (assuming you purchased it). If you're flexible on which model you're getting it makes a ton of sense, just be aware they limit which models are available and which trims/options as well. I just put an order for an Explorer and the Timberline trim wasn't available.
Not all models are a good deal. They use the program to move the models they want to move. Some are good deals, some aren't much different than what you would get leasing one through a dealer in A-plan, some are way over that.
Remember, insurance, registration fees and maintenance are all included.
The best part is unlimited miles. The worst part? They track your every move (it's essentially a connected fleet vehicle). I suspect that in the future you'll get a specific rate based on part driving behavior.
Take the job! You will grow in a LL position. Get a lot more satisfaction with more things to do and helping others in your group as a leader. It is a stepping stone to the next step if you choose. Money is more as is the management lease. You don’t lose anything - you make the job!
Take it. Look at it this way, it is your ticket into the FnF club if you play your cards right. Seen it many times over the years.
The management lease is a percentage of what it would cost for a standard lease, typically 35-50% discount depending on the model. Yes, you get maintenance and insurance. However, keep in mind that this is a 6 month lease, so it’s not like you can take a 2-3 year rate and say I will only pay half. And how much maintenance would you do in the first 6 months. It all depends on your individual situation, if you don’t have a car or need/want a newer model, it is a nice perk. But it would be cheaper to not do the lease if you are the type that buys a vehicle and keeps it for 10 years.
Don't do it if you get stuff done and pull your weight. The organization will beat that spirit out of you. If you do have a 2 year exit plan because it will just get worse the longer you stay. I don't know why they think people who are great workers will make great leaders automatically. Maybe they are doing this on purpose.
I have found it to be good for romantic reasons. I’m a straight man and I’m he ladies have been all over me .
LL6 for 10 plus years here.
You pay for the lease. $450 is a stripped explorer. $1200 navigator. Typical now is $550-600. Roughly $50-150 less than a dealership lease after you factor insurance in. NOT worth it. No broncos or mavericks this lease period either. Your driving is fully monitored. Program changed drastically over past 5 years. Until this year most had a 2021 or 2022 MY. Don’t factor this perk in, it is ~3 hours of OT per month to break even that LL6’s will never get.
The smartest and happiest are those that have the ability to be an LL6+ but say no. Your mgmt knows this. My guess you will still try it and kick yourself in 12 months.
Here’s what you are gonna do. You’re gonna take the LL6 role and after 2 years, apply at a competitor or supplier and get a higher paying/higher management job there. Keep doing this every few years, to keep giving yourself a huge pay raise and promotion. I’ve done this and had many friends do this. You don’t want to stay at Ford and be stagnant.
Must be nice. So how much butt you kiss to get that?
If you have been offered an LL6, take it.
LL6 has to work longer hours for very little extra.
It is not for the money or the car. But for your future career.
- LL6 gives you an opportunity for LL5 and above where the real money is.
- If you don't take it, they are most likely to get upset with you and block you in the future.
It depends what you want in life. Perhaps a 10% pay increase. More hours and more responsibilities. Mgmt lease payment includes insurance and maintenance. The costs vary depending on what you choose. I would say the $450 amount mentioned previously is on the low side. Congrats on ur job offer. Best of luck.
If you don't take it you may pi-s them off and never get another shot. Take it, the car and the money. Then work into one of the cushy a-s positions under a manger you like and more importantly likes you (golf and vacation buddies). Get good people that know what they are doing, will do all the work and make you look good. Treat them good so they stay and you can get more good people. No young ones that may want to leave you for their own future.
That's the Ford way.
Put the pencil to the paper and do some calculations, not worth it.
You will be working how much free stressful OT to gain the benefit of what a $450/month lease? If you have some kids that are costing you insurance, you might save a little there. Do you have a cabin up north or a home in Florida that you visit on a weekly basis so you have the advantage of mileage. We all just love the mngt leases of mule vehicles also !
If not, who cares about a car. Go lease or buy the vehicle. If you want a car, become a calibrator.
By the way, the easiest way to the exit door is through your new LL6 title. Go think about who was the hardest hit through all these layoff's and that would be management.
You need to want to be a LL6 for the right reason (want to be a leader (not just a manager) that wants to work and develop great people and come up with objectives and strategies as a team to achieve them and break down barriers. If you are doing it for the promotion for more money or for the mgmt lease car that is not a good reason to do it. When you become a LL6 (at least in manufacturing) you have to deal with a lot more budget, personnel, performance review type issues, and putting in a lot more casual time (not getting paid) and being available around the clock when there is crisis. There are a lot of times when I was putting in a lot of hours at times I regretted it but the only thing I LOVED that kept me going was working with the great people on our team. As far as the management lease works you go on a website and order your car that will be directly built at the assembly plant. The costs depend on what you order (type of vehicle, trim level and options), and if there are any discounts being offered, etc. A lot of times new model products or certain vehicles may get offered at a discount or at a different time of the year. You can pick and choose and see the cost difference while you order. There is also an order guide you can review. The mgmt. lease consists of the monthly fee you pay based on what you order and it covers insurance an maintenance (free oil changes, recalls, etc.). Depending on where you live you are assigned a specific garage to pick up and return your vehicle and to have your vehicle serviced at. If they offer a incremental program then you can get a change to lease a second mgmt. lease car. Your family members can drive them you them until they reach age 26. Usually there is a yearly reordering time period but ti could vary depending on inventory, build schedules, launches, etc. Good luck on your pursuit.
Not an LLx, but I would not trade my soul and peace of mind for a lease. After a couple of years as LL6, you'll lose whatever technical acumen remains now. BTW, be ready for a lot of forms and paperwork as manager, and you'll end lying in them everyday, making up stats to prove the usefulness of your team.