I'm Doing Someone Else's Job. How Do I Get out of It?
Nikki,
Recently, my company won a new and exciting project. The PM asked for me to be assigned to her. Initially, I thought the project manager and I would work really well together however I've been wrong. Not only am I doing my job but I'm doing all of hers and all while being on two other huge projects. How do I confront my PM about this? I appreciate the opportunity to lead and learn new things but I'm overwhelmed.
-Mid-Level in Washington, DC
Dear Overworked & Overwhelmed,
Overwhelm is to be expected with as much as you have on your shoulders. Do you have other team members that can help you? Is there anything you can delegate to someone else so that you can start managing the work requests or responsibilities and report back to the PM?
If you don't have any othe options than to go to the PM, then I think it's fair to ask for manageable deadlines. Are you able to split up your schedule to work on one project at a time, days on end? How is your time management? Are you well organized?
I would suggest bringing solutions to the table when meeting with the project manager because you never want to just bring problems to without thinking through plausible solutions.
There's nothing wrong with asking for help. It's the right thing to do, especially if you care about the work you're doing and it sounds like you do.
Keep your chin up! Focus on how you're managing your load and ask for help.
You've got this!
Nikki Davis
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NIKKI
Your curly girl manager, just trying to live her happiest life!
Wife, new mom, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with 11 years industry experience, 6 years of management experience. Manager a team of men in a male dominant industry, while being the only woman on the team. DIY fashion blogger, a self taught seamstress. Owner/Creator of a monthly subscription service, SewConscious.com.
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