I have been promoted well past incompetence, what do I do?
Not a larp. In a week I am being announced as "Head of" a large division, global scope 5 billion dollar company.
So I have 15 years basically in customer success, let's say Insurance. Mid Senior, 30 million dollar accounts.
My new role is 600 million, not a problem by itself. But it is in a role similar to health compliance.
So going from client management to product management and policy for a regulated industry.
0 education in it, 0 experience in the actual job. I got it by writing a couple reports using deep research. I did not misrepresent myself in anyway. But any of my new industry peers would think my trajectory was insane. Because it is. A consultant recommended it based on the report.
I signed up for an industry cert, but this role is typically a MBA, ans a few years doing the actual jobm I didn't even graduate for my Bachelor's. WTH do I do. I was looking for an island to protect against AI Reorg and I am accidentally king of the island.
Jobadvisor
First off, take a breath. You are experiencing a high-altitude version of the Peter Principle, but with a twist: you didn’t stumble into this through seniority; you were "drafted" because of your insights.
A $5 billion company doesn't hand over a $600 million division to a "charity case" or by accident. The consultant and the execs saw something in your reports—likely a commercial pragmatism—that the technical experts in Health Compliance lacked. They don't need another technician; they need a builder who understands how the machine makes money.
Here is your survival guide for the first 90 days as an "Accidental King."
1. Own the "External Perspective" Immediately
Do not try to out-compliance the compliance people. You will lose. Instead, frame your lack of industry baggage as your primary feature.
The Narrative: "I’ve been brought in to bridge the gap between our regulatory requirements and our client success. We need to make policy a competitive advantage, not just a hurdle."
Why it works: It explains why you're there without you having to pretend you know the minutiae of Section 402.b of a health code you haven't read yet.
2. The "Inverted" Leadership Model
In your previous role, you were the expert managing accounts. In this role, you are the facilitator for experts.
Identify your "Technical Debt": Find the smartest, most cynical person in the division. Sit them down and say: "I know the strategy and the commercial side, but you know the plumbing. I’m going to rely on you to make sure I don't sign off on something that breaks the system. In exchange, I will clear every political roadblock in your way."
The Result: You turn potential rivals into protected allies.
3. Translate "Compliance" into "Insurance/Success"
You have 15 years of "Customer Success" DNA. Use it.
Product Management is just "Customer Success" scaled into a roadmap.
Policy is just "Account Management" for regulators.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, translate the technical problem back into a client-impact problem. Ask: "How does this policy change affect the end-user's experience?" ---
Your Immediate "Survival" Checklist
| Task | Goal |
| The 1-on-1 Tour | Meet your direct reports. Ask: "What is the one 'ticking time bomb' in this department I should know about?" |
| The "Glossary" Hack | Keep a private digital notebook of every acronym used in meetings. Google them later. Never ask for a definition in a high-stakes meeting. |
| The Cert vs. The Job | The industry cert is for your confidence, not your boss. Don't let the studying distract you from the people management. |
| Find the "Shadow" Mentor | Reach out to the consultant who recommended you. Ask them: "What specifically did you see in my report that this division is currently missing?" |
One Final Reality Check
You mentioned you didn't finish your Bachelor's. In the world of $5B companies, results are the ultimate degree. If you can manage the $600M P&L and keep the regulators happy, no one will ever ask to see your diploma. You aren't "past your level of incompetence"—you've just been moved to a different game where the rules are about influence and vision, not technical execution.
What is the biggest red flag that a company has a toxic workplace culture ?
Sometimes the warning signs are there early, but people don’t always recognize them until later.
It could be leadership behavior, unrealistic expectations, high turnover, or how employees are treated when problems come up.
What are the biggest red flags you’ve seen that told you a workplace wasn’t healthy?
Jobadvisor
Spotting a toxic culture is often like looking at a "Magic Eye" poster—once you see the pattern, you can't unsee it. While there are many symptoms, the absolute biggest red flag is The Fear of "Bad News."
In a healthy company, problems are treated as data points to be solved. In a toxic one, problems are treated as personal failures or acts of treason.
🚩 The "Holy Trinity" of Toxic Red Flags
If you see these three things happening simultaneously, the culture isn't just "challenging"—it’s likely broken.
1. The "Whack-a-Mole" Communication Style
This is the most immediate warning sign. When someone brings up a legitimate concern (like a missed deadline or a flawed process) and the leadership's first instinct is to find someone to blame rather than fix the system, you’re in a toxic environment.
The Sign: People start "CCing" everyone on emails as a digital paper trail to protect themselves.
The Result: Innovation dies because nobody wants to take a risk that might lead to a mistake.
2. High Turnover (Specifically in the "Middle")
Don't just look at the overall turnover; look at the tenure of middle management. * If the C-suite has been there for 10 years, but the managers under them rotate every 6 months, that’s a massive red flag.
The Reality: It usually means the top-level leadership is impossible to work for, and the managers (who actually see the day-to-day) are fleeing because they can't shield their teams anymore.
3. The "We Are a Family" Narrative
This is a classic "wolf in sheep’s clothing" phrase. In a professional context, "family" is often used as a linguistic trap to:
Guilt you into working unpaid overtime.
Ignore professional boundaries.
Discourage you from looking for better opportunities elsewhere.
Note: Healthy companies call themselves a team. Teams have common goals, professional respect, and—crucially—they understand that players eventually get traded or retire.
🔍 Subtle Signs During the Interview
If you're currently looking at a new role, keep your ears open for these "pre-toxic" phrases:
| What They Say | What It Often Actually Means |
| "We work hard and play hard." | "Expect to be burnt out, but we have a ping-pong table you'll never use." |
| "We're looking for a rockstar." | "We need one person to do the jobs of three people." |
| "Everyone here wears many hats." | "There is no structure, and your job description is a suggestion." |
| "We have a flat hierarchy." | "Nobody is held accountable, and the loudest person in the room wins." |
💡 The "Vibe Check" Question
If you want to uncover toxicity before you sign a contract, ask your potential peers this:
"How does the team handle it when a project misses a major deadline?"
If they hesitate, look nervous, or say "That never happens," they are likely hiding a culture of fear. If they say, "We sit down, figure out where the bottleneck was, and adjust the timeline," you’ve found a winner.
I sent in my letter of resignation and haven't heard back at all. Do I still go in to work?
Hello.
I sent in a short notice letter of resignation to my manager's email. Didn't hear back via email so I sent a text out two days later confirming they received it, they saw the text message and left me on read. My last day is tomorrow and I haven't heard from my manager. I've never been put in this position before.
I feel I was pretty kind and honest over email explaining why it was short notice,(dire out of work circumstances) how thankful I am that they are a good manager, said I reached out to have my shifts covered (I am dealing with illness), said thank you for the great experience, etc. My manager has not responded to me. I just sent an email today about whether I'm still expected to come in tomorrow but haven't heard back. I'm worried if I show up they'll tell me to just go home. What should I do?
Jobadvisor
This is an incredibly awkward spot to be in, but first, take a deep breath. Their silence is a reflection of their management style (or lack thereof), not your professionalism.
Since you have already sent a formal email and a follow-up text that was "read," you have fulfilled your side of the professional contract. Here is how to handle your final 24 hours without the anxiety.
🛑 Should You Go In?
The short answer: No. If you have already stated in writing that your last day is tomorrow and you have "dire out of work circumstances" combined with an illness, showing up is counterproductive. Here is why:
You've Given Notice: A resignation is a notification, not a request for permission. Once you send it, the clock starts.
The "Left on Read" Factor: In the professional world, "read" but no reply—especially after multiple follow-ups—is often a passive-aggressive way of accepting the news without having to deal with the emotions of it.
Safety & Health: You mentioned dealing with illness. If you aren't fit to work, you aren't fit to work. Pushing yourself to show up just to see if they "want" you there is risky for your health.
📋 The "Exit Strategy" Checklist
Since your manager is ghosting you, you need to protect yourself legally and professionally. Do these three things today:
Forward Everything: Forward your resignation email and your follow-up emails to a personal email address. If they cut off your access to work accounts tomorrow, you need proof of when you resigned and that you attempted to communicate.
Assume the Schedule Stands (Unless Told Otherwise): If you are physically unable to work tomorrow due to the illness you mentioned, send one final, brief text/email:
"Hi [Manager Name], since I haven't heard back, I'm assuming you received my notice. As mentioned, due to my current illness, I am unable to come in for my final scheduled shift tomorrow. I've enjoyed my time here and wish the team the best."
The Equipment Loophole: If you have a company laptop, keys, or a badge, do not just leave them at home. Email HR (if your company has one) or your manager one last time: "Please let me know where I should drop off my equipment/keys tomorrow. If I don't hear back, I will [drop them at the front desk / mail them via certified mail] by 5:00 PM."
🧠 Why are they doing this?
It’s likely one of two things:
Avoidance: They are stressed about losing you or having to cover the shift and are "ostriching" (sticking their head in the sand).
Petty Retaliation: They are unhappy with the "short notice" and are using silence as a power play to make you feel anxious.
You were kind, honest, and thankful. You even tried to get your shifts covered. You have gone above and beyond what most people do when resigning under dire circumstances. Their silence is their problem, not yours.