OT - work politics
I have this leader that reports to me. He just got a job offer for a promotion at another location. The hiring manager only pick this leader because they didn't suck as much as the other candidates.
I had a meeting with this leader, and wanted to discuss his workers performance. His team are not doing he best, 40% to goal. This leader believes his numbers and team are great because he got promoted. Even having this conversation was hard becasuse he didn't want to think there was anything to work on going forward or an development training needed.
Now he is offended that I don't agree his numbers are great for his team. Keep in mind I am a new manager at this company and now I bet this leader is sharing office politic crap with my manager who I report to.
This feels like a lose lose situation. Either my manager will see me as not an effective leader or my area will lack in performance.
What should I do?
If your manager is going to
If your manager is going to take the side of your subordinate based on this one conversation, you have a bigger problem. I never interfere (ok, rarely interfere) in the details between my managers and their teams. I expect certain performance, and it's up to the managers to deliver. And they do.
If one of the manager's leaders comes to me with a complaint about the manager, I will listen to see if it is an issue I have to address with my manager. It rarely happens. But I expect my managers to hold their leaders accountable for performance, and I'd back those managers in any sort of valid job performance review.