I’m the weakest link on my team
A reader writes:
I work with a very talented team of individuals, and I feel like I can’t operate at their level. I consistently complete fewer tasks than the rest of the team, and I need guidance on things I’ve been working with for years. I’ve improved greatly from where I was when I started two years ago, but I am still frequently lost and unable to complete my work independently. I was never hired to this team; I was placed here as part of a corporate reshuffle. I could never have passed the interview process to land this job.
I’m not smart enough or dedicated enough to be on this team. This sounds like I’m being overly self-deprecating, but every two weeks we review metrics that show I am completing less work than anyone else. My work receives the most corrections and I’m generally given easier tasks. Last month, a new hire was assigned to redo my work.
There’s no training available outside of asking each other questions. I do ask questions sometimes, but not every time I’m confused. It’s humiliating to admit I don’t know something basic and it feels too late to be demanding that time from everyone else. I don’t think I can ever catch up enough to be a peer to my teammates.
My manager has been positive about my work and praises my progress. My teammates are all very kind and supportive and show no sign of being unhappy with me. But even if they are satisfied, I am not. I hate feeling like a dead weight. Every day I am reminded that I am the least competent and useful person around, and it really hurts my self-esteem.
I’m lucky to be where I am because I am well-compensated and have learned so much from being around smart people. It’s also a fully remote position which has been a godsend. For these reasons I think I should stay put and just do the best I can. But I question if I am in the right job, since I don’t have the talent for it, and I find it so difficult to cope emotionally with being the worst. I’m curious what you would recommend in this situation.
You can read my answer to this letter at New York Magazine today. Head over there to read it.
