My therapist and I are like oil and water

100% accurate. There are many things that team leaders and directors require of their team, including mandatory trainings. I don't see why this should be an issue. And if they don't want to complete a training, well, that's too bad, because it will give them more skills and knowledge that not only will improve their job performance, but will help them to land a better job eventually OR a promotion in our company, so it's for their benefit in SO many ways.

She's a serious downer to me, in more ways than one.

I am going to cancel my next meeting that's coming up in two weeks. Tomorrow I am calling their office to switch therapists ASAP.

Thank you SO much for your encouragement and support!

I think that you may need to be careful about pointing out the lack of proper training. That is something a CEO can take personally due to thinking he had been hiring individuals that had the proper training. He probably hired your boss not realizing even your boss was lacking in knowledge. This is something that your boss can feel threatened by when it comes to you in that you can point out things he doesn't realize are important.

I see your point. I will be very diplomatic, as I always am, and I will be sensitive to this. The way I will pose it will be non-threatening and instead eye opening and informative. I will pose it in a way that says the company needs this.... the company will thrive more as a result of this.... and this is what will make us cutting edge AND competitive. It doesn't mean he didn't hire good people.. he DID hire ALL good people. It's a GREAT team with a ton of potential! But everyone will benefit from following a set standard business practice, this is what the team needs and it is typically required training within our field. So I will pose it that way. The CEO just needs to be informed better.

That is probably what he likes about you Hope.

Yes... that and the fact that I think "outside of the box." He told me this in our last meeting. I offer things that no one else does in our entire group..... I come up with ideas and solutions that no one on the team has thought of, and that comes simply from my years of combined experience, exposure to a variety of work challenges, and from my education in the field. I think I am totally primed for a leadership role. I am ready!!!

Wow, that is such a nice compliment your CEO gave you Hope. Hmmm, setting up the right proposal could bear some fruit for you. However, if you see your boss as an obstacle that isn't going to fit into what you have in mind you need to state that and why. If YOU are looking to replace him, then you will have to explain why that is necessary and how you can do a better job. You have to be certain you want this.

YES, it was a nice compliment!

Actually, my best friend gave me excellent advice on this. I am in fact NOT looking to replace my boss AT ALL, OR get him fired, OR demoted OR moved to another role. My goal is to complement my boss with this promotion.... he has his strengths, and I have mine, and we can work together in harmony IF I got promoted. There is room for another leader on my team. So my girlfriend's advice is to simply promote myself as a nice compliment to the other leaders' existing strengths, AND to fill a position that is currently NOT filled right now. There IS a role that is open, it hasn't been filled, and the person who had it previously was fired from that role. They haven't filled it since then. SO, there's an opening. But my goal is not to get anyone out of my way. That is not my style. I leave it up to the CEO to determine these things.

Ok, are you sure about this? It's nice that you do notice this bosses good points.

No, I am NOT sure, but I think it's the RIGHT thing to do. I cannot march into my CEO's office with an approach that tells him I wish to replace my boss. That is not me... it doesn't feel ethical or right. I feel the right thing to do is to complement my boss and let the CEO determine who is right or wrong for the job, you know? That is how my company operates anyways. They will fire people in a heartbeat and have. I think my boss is already digging his won grave as it is. I don't think I need to grab a shovel and dig with him. lol.

Ok, as long as you can see how you can function in that role and lay it out in a proposal so the CEO can see your vision. My concern about your boss is if he is actually capable of being condusive to that vision and won't look to sabatoge your effort because he feels threatened in some way.

Thanks @Open Eyes. It's really a conversation between myself and the CEO. Not between myself, the CEO and my boss. My CEO trusts me, he trusts my skills and he also considers me as a friend. He said that to me.