Promoted beyond his ability, manager seeks help - gets tough leadership advice

A post shared on Reddit has triggered a lively conversation about career advancement, imposter syndrome, and leadership. In the discussion, an employee disclosed that they are about to be announced as the head of a major division at a global company despite having no formal background in the field. The admission astonished several readers and quickly fueled debate about whether people can successfully lead positions they were never formally trained for.

Sudden Promotion Leaves Employee Shocked

The anonymous Reddit user described that the upcoming announcement would position them in charge of a large business unit. They explained the situation bluntly in their post:


“Not a larp. In a week I am being announced as "Head of" a large division, global scope 5 billion dollar company.”

The employee said they have spent almost 15 years working in customer success within the insurance industry, handling accounts worth about $30 million. Their new role, however, involves overseeing operations worth approximately $600 million and focuses on compliance and policy management in a heavily regulated sector.

The shift means moving from client management into product management and regulatory policy areas they admit they have never formally studied.

No Formal Education in the New Role

The person acknowledged that their background does not match the usual requirements for the role. Most professionals in that field typically hold advanced business degrees and years of technical experience.

They wrote:

“0 education in it, 0 experience in the actual job.”

According to the poster, the promotion came after they wrote many detailed reports that impressed company leadership and outside consultants. Those reports ultimately resulted in a recommendation that the employee take the leadership position.

The individual added that their peers in the industry might find the career jump unusual.

“But any of my new industry peers would think my trajectory was insane. Because it is.”

Career Path Raises Questions About Qualifications

It also admitted that they never completed their bachelor’s degree and are currently trying to catch up by enrolling in an industry certification program.

They described that people who normally occupy similar roles often hold an MBA and many years of specialized experience.

Despite the unconventional background, the employee said they had not exaggerated their qualifications in the process. Still, the unexpected promotion has left them unsure how to prepare for such a major responsibility.

In a humorous way, they explained the situation as accidentally becoming a leader while trying to secure a stable position in the company:

“I was looking for an island to protect against AI Reorg and I am accidentally king of the island.”

Reddit Users Share Advice on Leadership

The story attracted many responses from professionals who attempted to reassure the employee. Several commenters highlighted that leadership roles do not always need deep technical expertise.

One user suggested relying on experienced colleagues:

“I’d surround myself with people who have more expertise and knowledge than me and strategically ask their advise without disclosing the full extent of your ignorance in one go. Then it’s just a bunch of fake it till you make it and playing catchup.”

Another commenter pointed out that managers are often chosen for their ability to guide teams rather than perform every task personally.

“Leadership role is about leading. Not being the SME. Figure out how to best coach your people to get the most out of them.”

Community Encourages Confidence and Strategy

Some commenters argued that the promotion itself indicates the company believes the employee has leadership potential.

One response asked the poster to reconsider their self-doubt:

“The people around you think you are up to the task. Do you think of them as having bad judgement?”

Others emphasized that recognizing knowledge gaps can actually be a strength because it encourages leaders to listen to experts.

Another commenter summed up the approach simply:

“Plenty of people fake it till the make it. Keep pushing.”

FAQs:

Q1. What situation did the Reddit user describe?
The user said they were about to become the head of a major division at a large global company. They admitted feeling unprepared for the role because it differs from their previous experience.

Q2. Why did the promotion surprise the employee?
The worker said they have no formal education or experience in the field they will oversee. The role typically requires advanced qualifications and specialized training.