When Your Black Manager Becomes the Problem

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts125/v4/bb/34/3c/bb343ce7-96f8-bcd5-1e43-f79313de089b/mza_14754708136329215708.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Trill MBA Show - The Career Management Podcast for Black Women

Felicia Ann Rose Enuha AKA The Trillest MBA You Will Ever Know

258 episodes

1 month ago

Being You, A Black Woman, is hard…especially in Corporate America. There are too many hurdles thrown at us as we try to climb the ladder of success. From microaggressions against you and your hair to the lack of advocates and sponsors everyone needs. Someone please just tell us what to do to make corporate America work for us! The Trill MBA Show is here to help you fight these battles by giving you the strategies that work, straight…no chaser. With our host, Felicia aka The Trillest MBA you will ever know, the Trill MBA Show curates the real truth to help you survive and thrive in Corporate America.

All content for Trill MBA Show - The Career Management Podcast for Black Women is the property of Felicia Ann Rose Enuha AKA The Trillest MBA You Will Ever Know and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

When Your Black Manager Becomes the Problem

Trill MBA Show - The Career Management Podcast for Black Women

29 minutes 37 seconds

4 months ago

When Your Black Manager Becomes the Problem

S9 Ep 17

When your manager is Black but still toxic, how do you protect yourself without losing your mind — or your job?

In this episode, Felicia shares the cautionary tale of “Sherry,” a high-performing Black woman stuck under a micromanaging, insecure Black manager who didn’t choose her — and made her pay for it.

From bogus feedback to HR gaslighting, this Client Chronicle breaks down exactly how to document workplace harassment, push back with policy, and stay ten steps ahead when your boss is quietly trying to push you out. If you’ve ever been told to “show more strategic thought leadership” with no real support, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

1. When your manager didn’t choose you, it changes everything.If your new boss didn’t hire you, they may carry resentment or biases that impact your working relationship. Acknowledge this dynamic early, and take intentional steps to build trust—or protect yourself accordingly.

2. “Strategic thought leadership” is often a smokescreen.Vague feedback like “we need to see more strategic thinking” is often code for “we don’t want to promote you”—especially when no real stretch assignments are offered. Call the bluff by asking for project opportunities that allow strategy to be demonstrated.

3. Know your policy before you push back.When Sherry’s micromanaging manager demanded access to her calendar, she didn’t start a fight—she checked the handbook. Ask HR policy questions without naming names. Protect yourself while staying professional.

4. Documentation isn’t petty—it’s power.By keeping receipts and documenting harassment patterns, Sherry turned herself from a target into a liability for her manager. Her paper trail made it impossible for HR to ignore what was happening.

5. Be the professional—let them show their ass.Sherry stayed calm, followed protocol, and held the line. Her boss played herself. When ego enters the chat, don’t match energy. Match receipts, policy, and poise.

Resources & Next Steps:

💼 Career Fast-Track System – Felicia’s training to help you plan your promotion using the P.I.E. model💼 Career Coaching with Felicia – Book a personalized strategy session to navigate your career📩 Listener Letters – Send your questions to ask@trillmba.com🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review – Subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment to help us grow💡 Follow @TrillMBAshow – Stay updated on Instagram and LinkedIn

Until next time, keep it trill! 🎙️✨