In need of Advice from Partner/MD/SM
I need advice from a partner/MD/Senior Manager on how to deal with leaders who don’t want you on their team. I am a new manager who has been working with this client since I joined the firm as an associate. Ever since I became a senior, it’s been increasingly difficult to work with a lead senior manager. The SM ignores my emails even after I do follow ups. He interacts with me only when he truly needs my assistance but often leaves me out of the loop on important matters where I am expected to collaborate and be informed. A couple of times I have emailed him and messaged him to get his take on items I’m working on but I usually don’t get a reply. I believe he only works with me when he is told to do so by higher ups (partner on the engagement is happy with my performance on multiple clients). He tends to put me on the spot when I make a mistake as if to smear my image. I say this because he has not done this to other team members that are in the same level as me. Performing well on this clients is imperative for me to be successful at the firm. However, I’m starting to consider the possibility of quitting because, let’s be honest, the lead SM is a key member of the engagement, and if he doesn’t want to work with me there’s little I can do. I don’t think it is the en of the world. I know I have great work ethic and will be successful where ever I go. Nevertheless, I want to know if any of you have dealt with this and how you responded.