5 Signs You Are Being Set Up to Fail at Work

It is normal for an employee to be worried about whether their manager likes their work or not. But remember, you know your skills and the quality of your job better than anyone else. So, it should be easy for you to realize whether you are slacking off in your work or if it is just your manager promoting a toxic work environment.

Having a good relationship with your manager is vital. If your manager does not like your work, then it can be a big problem. Fortunately, some signs can indicate if this is the case or not. You can use these signs you are being set up to fail at work to determine if your manager likes your work and take steps to improve your work quality if needed. Here are five signs you are being set up to fail at work.

You Are Getting Micromanaged

Being micromanaged is the most significant sign that the manager is unsatisfied with your work. If the manager thinks that an employee’s work is not good enough, then they start to micromanage that employee. 

Some ways you can tell if you are being micromanaged are if the manager starts to pay much more attention to you and critiques you more than other employees. They dictate those details to you that they should trust you to figure out on your own and start requiring you to seek permission before making any decisions. In short, they show distrust in your ability to do the job.

However, you only need to worry if you alone are getting micromanaged. If the manager has a habit of micromanaging everyone else, too, then the fault likely doesn’t lie with you. It just shows poor management skills. 

If only you are getting micromanaged, try to figure out if you have been slacking off recently. If you have made some errors recently that could have caused the manager to lose trust in your abilities, then it is expected for them to be more cautious.

On the other hand, if you have not given them any reason to be distrustful of your ability to get the job done, then simply ask why they cannot trust you. Ask your manager if there is a better way for you to work independently and discuss any concerns they might have regarding your work performance.

You Get Ignored by Your Manager

Another sign that your manager does not like your work is that they ignore you. If you have very limited contact with your manager, it could be a sign of the set-up-to-fail syndrome. Set-up-to-fail syndrome means that there is a continuous cycle of destruction where a manager worries about your work performance and starts to increase supervision while also pulling away emotionally. All of which contribute to the employee becoming less productive and motivated. 

This makes the manager feel like the employee is underperforming even more, and they further disengage from the employee, thus continuously aggravating the situation over time.Pay attention if your manager ignores you when you try to communicate with them. For example, they could be ignoring your emails and messages or canceling meetings with you a lot. 

Notice if your manager tries to avoid any informal conversation with you and only contacts you to put pressure on you about tasks. If this behavior is found between you and your manager, they could be ignoring you. The best way to counter this would be to try and come up with a better way of communication between you and your manager.

You Are Getting Questioned a Lot About Your Work

Another red flag could be that your manager questions you a lot regarding your work. Keep in mind that we are talking about questions that are a bit more pointed and persistent. So, there is no need to be worried about your manager asking simple questions regarding your work. 

If your manager asks you a lot of questions that are more pointed and persistent, it could mean that they do not trust your abilities enough. Being questioned a lot regarding your work could mean your manager does not find your work satisfactory and feels the need to keep an eye on how you operate, which prompts them to question you continuously. The best way to counter this is to take steps to build more trust between you and your manager.

You Get Overlooked for Opportunities

One of the critical signs you are being set up to fail at work is when your manager does not give you larger responsibilities. You might get stuck doing the routine tasks while other employees get bigger assignments. 

If a big opportunity comes along, and you make it known to your manager that you are interested, but they still give it to someone else, it could mean that they are not satisfied with your work. They might think that you are not up for the task, and that is why you are overlooked. 

If this happens to you, it could mean that your manager does not trust your abilities and could be indicative that they are dissatisfied with your work and performance.

You Are Treated Differently Than Others

A sign that your manager dislikes your work could be that they treat you differently than other employees. If your manager is much nicer to other employees while they are very cold towards you, it is possible that they do not consider you good enough. 

Another way of being treated differently is criticizing you much more than other employees and nitpicking your work. You might also be left out of important meetings. All of these could indicate that your manager does not find your work satisfactory. 

If you feel like you are being treated differently, ensure that there is actually merit to what you are feeling and you are not just imagining it.

Recognizing these signs you are being set up to fail at work is the first step toward addressing and rectifying these issues. If you notice any of these signs in your work life, the best way to counter them is to build more trust between you and your manager, have a conversation with them regarding the problem without taking an accusatory stance, and try to improve your performance where possible.

How Leadership Coaching Can Help

If you find yourself struggling with any of these issues, consider enrolling in our Leadership Coaching Program. Our program is designed to help professionals like you develop the skills necessary to become successful leaders. 

Whether you are dealing with a difficult manager or looking to improve your leadership abilities, our coaching can provide you with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in your career. By focusing on personal development, communication skills, and strategic thinking, our leadership program will help you navigate and overcome workplace challenges effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if I am being micromanaged?

If you are being micromanaged, the first step is to evaluate your recent performance to ensure there is no reason for your manager’s distrust. If you find no fault on your part, have an open conversation with your manager about their concerns and seek ways to work more independently.

2. How can I improve communication with my manager?

Improving communication with your manager involves being proactive in setting up regular meetings, using clear and concise language in emails, and addressing any misunderstandings promptly. Building a rapport through informal conversations can also help.

3. What are the benefits of leadership coaching?

Leadership coaching offers numerous benefits, including improved communication skills, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and enhanced decision-making abilities. It helps you build confidence, navigate workplace challenges, and develop a leadership style that fosters team success.

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Tina Persson, PhD, Career & Leadership Coach

Global ICF Coach | Coaching and training high-performing professionals to unlock and maximize their potential for guaranteed business success

You can contact me at tina@passag2pro.com

Book a strategic discovery call at https://tinyurl.com/25vntnzy

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