He Almost Gave Up on a Struggling Junior Analyst — Years Later, He’s Watching Him Step Into Leadership
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Sometimes, the people who test your patience the most end up surprising you.
For one IT manager, that happened with a junior analyst who needed a lot of help when he first joined the team.
At first, the manager had to teach him everything from the basics of the job to how to carry himself professionally.
But little by little, the analyst started getting better, and before long, he became one of the strongest people on the team.
Then a lead position opened up, and the manager encouraged him to go for it.
Read on to see what happened next.
Just achieved a Major IT Management Career Milestone
I reached a major milestone in my career as an IT Manager, and I just wanted to share it because it might be the thing I’m most proud of.
I’ve been a CERT Manager now for about 3-4 years; it was an unexpected promotion when it happened, and I definitely didn’t feel like I was ready.
I wanted to channel the better managers I’ve had in my career and focus on developing my team. I wanted to invest in them the way my mentors had invested in me.
After some time, the analyst turned out to be one of his better employees.
I hired a junior analyst a couple years back. He was green, inexperienced, and quite frankly, a total pain in my butt. I had to teach him the basics of everything. I had to hold his hand, teach him not only how to be an analyst, but how to be a professional.
I’m not going to pretend, there were times I hated him and times I wanted to fire him. But slowly, I noticed him starting to turn the corner, and before I knew it, he was one of my better guys.
I was proud, watched as he blossomed into not just a solid analyst, but a great one. He started training his peers and building them up. It was so cool to watch.
I left that company last May. It was a hard decision to make, but it was the right one for me. He ended up following me to take a position I had open on my new team. I was flattered that he’d be willing to follow me.
Throughout the years, they really relied on each other.
We took on some major projects with the new company, and honestly, without him, I may have failed. He was invaluable to me, put in the work, and grinded with me until we were both past our breaking points.
I realized he wasn’t just one of my better guys, he was my BEST guy I’ve ever had. We had a lead spot come open on another team within my company for a different project. I told him to apply and that I thought he would do well.
He was timid about it and didn’t think he was ready, but applied anyway. He told me that his interview went “ok, but not great” and that he didn’t think they liked him.
Learning the good news made him so proud.
I just got a call from my boss saying that they absolutely loved him and are formally offering him the lead position this afternoon. I’m so ******* proud of him. Losing him is going to suck, but I know he’s ready, and I’ve never been so excited.
It’s taking everything in me to keep it in today and not ruin the surprise and excitement of him finding out this afternoon. I’m so proud of him. I’m so happy for him. He’s grown so much the past several years, and he so deserves this.
So, if you’re reading this, man, congrats. I’m proud of you. Drinks on me tonight.
Wow! Bravo! That’s such a wonderful achievement!
Let’s see how the readers over at Reddit feel about it.
This is so true!
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Sadly, few people are that good.
Here’s someone who wishes her folks had his mindset.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a bank employee who immediately resigns after being denied a bonus.
This person also had a good boss.
What a full-circle moment!
The manager could’ve given up on him long ago, but instead he kept teaching him and gave him time to grow.
And now, the same guy is stepping into a lead role of his own.
That has to feel pretty rewarding after everything they went through together.
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