SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from more than 210,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our e-newsletter.
What experience have you had with being “layered” at work?
- I’ve never been “layered”: 6%
- I’ve been “layered” and it worked out great: 2%
- I’ve been “layered” and it was horrible: 7%
- What’s getting “layered”?: 85%
What happens when you’re “layered.” Getting layered means there’s a reorganization where someone new gets inserted as a “layer” between you and your existing boss. You no longer report to your boss – you report to the new person who reports to your boss. This can be an uncomfortable and awkward situation. If you’re layered, you can take several steps to make the change go smoothly like acknowledging the awkwardness and fully supporting your new boss. Your initial approach to the change can make it be a great one or a disaster.
Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS, author of the upcoming book “The Elegant Pitch: Create a Compelling Recommendation, Build Broad Support, and Get it Approved” and “One Piece of Paper: The Simple Approach to Powerful, Personal Leadership.”