It can be incredibly challenging to be recognized at work. Proving that you’re a stellar employee can take years, and gaining back the trust of management after they’ve decided not to support you can feel like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.

Just because someone works in management doesn’t mean they have impeccable judgment, though. Below, you’ll find a story that one person recently shared on the Petty Revenge subreddit detailing how they saw something special in the one employee everyone warned them, so they managed to get him promoted above everyone who doubted him.

When this person began working in a leadership role at a non-profit, they realized something special about one of their employees

Image credits: Adib Hussain (not the actual photo)

So they did all they could to help him, and everyone else in the company, realize his full potential

Image credits: Sigmund (not the actual photo) 

“Many managers will recognize the quality they have in their staff and will actively prevent them from moving up because they believe it will be hard to replace them”

To learn more about this specific situation, we reached out to the Reddit user who shared this story, and they were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. We were happy to learn that they’re still in contact with Willie today. “Willie and I talked recently when he asked me to serve as a reference for a new job,” they shared, noting that this story took place about 3 years ago. “We keep in touch periodically. He is moving to work for a different nonprofit in a much bigger role.”

Unfortunately, the OP doesn’t believe that the individuals who overlooked Willie learned anything from their mistakes. “When primed to learn, it’s possible to internalize a lesson in one go. The leadership team wasn’t ready to learn, so it didn’t stick,” they told Bored Panda. We also asked if they believe that many managers and employers underestimate and hold back their employees. “Yes, absolutely,” they said. “Many just don’t know how to manage a capable employee. Many managers will also recognize the quality they have in their staff and will actively prevent them from moving up because they believe it will be hard to replace them.”

The OP also shared some advice for anyone who feels their career is being stifled by management at work. “Don’t be in denial,” they told Bored Panda. “When your manager shows you they’re incompetent, be open to recognizing that and start looking for something else as soon as you can.”

Image credits:Sebastien Bonneval (not the actual photo)

Feeling stifled by management can cause workers to experience dissatisfaction, burnout, stress and self-doubt

In theory, all of our bosses and managers would be supportive and excited about the future growth of our careers. But unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way in real life. It’s actually quite common for employees to feel held back by their higher-ups, so Shirley Davis wrote a piece for Harvard Business Review explaining how her firm, SDS Global Enterprises, Inc., explored this issue. She first addressed the fact that hiring, pay and promotion decisions are far too often reliant on the unconscious (or sometimes conscious) biases of managers. This leads to workers feeling dissatisfied when their careers seem to be stunted.

Davis wrote that her firm made several observations through their research: “Workers from underrepresented groups still feel less included, less valued, and underpaid as compared to their white counterparts. Workers from underrepresented groups feel that their leaders are less supportive, and less invested in their career success. Workers from underrepresented groups feel unheard by their leaders and invisible in their seats at the table, or not invited to the table altogether.” When employees feel frustrated by these issues, they will be less motivated at work; they may feel psychologically unsafe; companies will have high turnover rates and low performance; and employees may experience burnout, stress, depression and self-doubt.

Image credits: Austin Distel (not the actual photo)

But workers should never stop defending themselves and striving for the careers they desire

While these issues are largely systemic and affect many different companies, it is still important to address them wherever we see them crop up. Davis writes for Harvard Business Review that we must choose our battles wisely, but we must be willing to fight for ourselves. First, determine your career goals and outline them clearly. Then find out exactly what it is that’s getting in your way. Davis also recommends keeping a paper trail of all of your accomplishments, while updating your supervisor every time you hit a milestone. Then have an open and honest conversation with your employer. It’s also wise to bring up these goals with your supervisor more often than your year-end or annual review. It’s important for you both to be on the same page about the future of your career, and if it’s going to be impossible to achieve your goals where you currently are, it might be time to move onto another company.

Davis says it’s also wise to seek advice from a mentor or trusted career advisor, who can provide you with an objective, outside perspective, if you’re unsure what steps to take next. “Some may even be willing to have mock discussions with you, playing the part of your manager, to help you prepare and be clear in your messaging,” she writes. “Most importantly, a sponsor or an ally can advocate on your behalf. It’s especially helpful when this person is a senior or respected person within the organization. It’s important to have them on your side so that they can call attention to your work when you’re not in the room and promotions or new projects are being assigned.”

Unfortunately, there are plenty of hardworking employees out there who have found themselves in Willie’s shoes before, being stifled by managers who should have recognized him and supported him. But thankfully, that role was not permanent. All Willie needed was an advocate, so if you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, perhaps that’s all you need as well. We would love to hear your thoughts on this beautiful act of petty revenge down below, pandas. Feel free to share any personal stories if you’ve ever proven your former managers wrong, and then if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing petty revenge in the workplace, look no further than right here! 

Readers applauded Willie in the comments, sharing their disdain for the leaders who tried to hold him back

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