I’m in a research group. My research was fully funded for the last three years and deviated in a direction from my normal work. I did this because (1) it was requested of me by my manager and others in my unit and (2) too much friction with another person in my group, who is a subject matter expert in the same stuff that I am. I thought breaking out from under him was a good idea, but after Leadership changes, Chevron completely undercut the R&D program that I developed and was half way through delivering on. I led development of a joint industry project with other big operators in the industry among many other things, and Chevron just pulled the plug this year, letting the other operators take over. This leaves me reeling trying to get back into the field that I was in three years ago. Over the last three years, several people have positioned themselves to take over my workflows and be the owners. Now, my own manager won’t support me when I tell them these are my workflows, and these other people are not authorized to take over them as their owners.
What is astounding to me is how pathetic and short-sighted Leadership is at this company. The people who have the real power never stay at their position for longer than three years. This means we are in a random walk strategically. There are some exceptions, and some of these exceptions have transitioned out or are transitioning out, but most leaders are so pathetically incompetent when it comes to standing up for their own, understanding important technicals, or doing what’s right. The technical leadership program is an absolute disaster—there is no hope in sight. The leaders of that have failed miserably in my view.
I want to give a shout out to a recent manager that’s transitioned to CNE as well as two other team leads over there. You are selfish je-ks. I’m a true believer in karma, and it will come around to you. I look forward to reading the news that CNE is spun off from Chevron. It will make our profit margin higher.