Ask the Amys: Favoritism, Unsupportive Managers, and More

Imagine having a direct report who sobs every time you give them feedback. Or leading a team of people who’ve told your boss that they don’t trust you. Or taking on your first management position with no training or guidance–and having 43 direct reports! What then?

The Amys offer advice to listeners for getting through these real situations. And not just advice, but actual language for asserting your needs, earning trust, setting boundaries, and holding your ground even when emotions run high.

Other listener questions they respond to:

• How can I push for career growth after maternity leave when senior leaders suggest I slow down?
• What should I do when my manager seems to be holding me back from advancing in my career?
• How can I succeed in a new role under an unsupportive manager who ignores my neurodivergence and offers vague, unhelpful feedback?

Resources:

• “When You Work in a Male-Dominated Industry,” from Women at Work
• “The Essentials: Building and Repairing Trust,” from Women at Work
• “How to Earn Respect as a First Time Manager,” from HBR On Leadership
• “What to Do When Your Boss Is Blocking Your Career Growth,” by Shirley Davis
• “How to Succeed When You’re Not the Boss’s Favorite,” by Dina Denham Smith
• “Building Social Capital When You Work Remotely,” by Aliza Licht
• “What to Say When Someone Cries at Work,” by Deborah Grayson Riegel
• “Bad Bosses: Our Favorite Reads,” by Paige Cohen

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Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org