The Situation
An engineer has started raising issues directly with your manager instead of coming to you.
The Answer
Treat this as a signal about trust or access, not just a behaviour to shut down. People go around managers when they feel blocked, unheard, or unsure how to escalate.
Address it quickly in a 1:1. Stay calm and specific: "I noticed you raised X directly with [manager]. Help me understand what led to that." Listen first. You may uncover gaps in your availability, clarity, or response time.
Then reset expectations. Explain how you want issues handled and when its appropriate to escalate beyond you. Make it explicit that youre accountable for the teams output, so visibility matters.
Also align with your manager. A quick check-in ensures youre both reinforcing the same escalation path and not unintentionally encouraging bypassing.
If it continues, document patterns and be firmer. But most cases resolve once expectations and trust are rebuilt.
What to Do Next
- Hold a 1:1 and ask for their perspective
- Identify any blockers or trust gaps
- Agree a clear escalation path
- Align with your manager on handling future cases
- Monitor for repeat behaviour over the next few weeks
Common Mistake
Shutting it down with authority instead of understanding why it happened.
Source: Based on common escalation-pattern issues in IT teams
Bring this to your AI Companion
The answer above is universal. Your situation isn't. The Companion takes this same situation and works through it with you — with your team, your stakeholders, your context.
Reflect with the Companion