The catbird seat

A couple of weeks ago, news broke that the director of the department where I used to work before I became a consultant in 2014 decided to leave the company. This news shocked many people who thought she would retire from the company. I was surprised she lasted as long as she did. I cannot imagine that things got better after I left.

I reached out to a former coworker who used to work as an analyst in the same department, left to be a consultant, and then returned to be a senior manager in the same department. He's next in line, and many of the outgoing director's responsibilities have fallen to him while the company looks for a replacement. I asked him if he was going to put his hat in the ring. His answer:

“No way I already told my new boss that I am not interested, and the current structure does not make it conducive to anyone being successful. In meetings and double and triple booked from 6:00 am until 5:00 and then receive between 600 to 750 emails a day. To stay on top must work 14 to 16 hours a day”

I don't blame him. Let someone else take the catbird seat.