Navigating the Challenges of Managing Your First Direct Report

Taking on your first direct report can be a transformative experience, filled with excitement and challenges. Recently, I found myself in this very situation when my team hired a new employee to fill a crucial vacancy following my promotion. After months of searching, we were thrilled to bring someone on board who seemed to be a perfect match for our needs. However, what unfolded was far from what we had anticipated.

Upon starting, this new hire completely shifted the persona they had displayed during the interview process. Despite my efforts to provide guidance, assign tasks, and offer training, their performance was disappointing. As a manager, I dedicated time to help them succeed, yet they frequently fell short, leaving me to pick up the slack on assignments they had agreed to complete. After just six weeks, they decided to resign, and even during their final two weeks, tasks I assigned went unaddressed.

While it’s disappointing that this employee didn’t work out—sometimes, a new role simply isn’t the right fit—what truly surprised me was their apparent lack of professionalism. As someone who values accountability, I find it hard to understand how an experienced adult could behave so carelessly, especially when faced with the prospect of leaving a job after such a brief tenure. In my past experiences, if I were to resign in under two months, I would strive to leave on the best possible terms.

I find myself both venting my frustration and seeking insight from others who might have faced similar challenges. Have you ever encountered such an absence of professionalism in the workplace? It’s an eye-opening experience, and I’m genuinely curious to hear how others have navigated through comparable situations.