The Bollard Position: A Career Dead End

In security, a bollard is a short, sturdy post designed to stop vehicles in their tracks. In management, a bollard position does the same thing—to your career.?

It looks like leadership from the outside, but it offers no real authority, no decision-making power, and no meaningful benefits. You get a managerial title, but you’re stuck taking responsibility for things you can’t change.?

At first, it seems like a promotion. You get invited to more meetings, have a bigger title, and maybe even manage people. But soon, you realize:?

• You don’t control budgets.?
• You don’t make key decisions.?
• Leadership filters or delays everything you escalate.?
• You take the heat, but someone else makes the calls.?

If you’re not careful, stepping into a bollard position can silently stall or even ruin your career. Here’s why.?

You’re a Shock Absorber, not a Leader?

A bollard’s job is to block things from moving forward—and in these roles, that’s exactly what you do.?

• Employees bring you problems, but you don’t have the authority to fix them.?
• Senior leadership expects results, but they make all the real decisions.?
• When things go wrong, you take the fall—when things go right, they take the credit.?

Instead of leading, you absorb pressure from all sides while those above you stay protected.?

Leadership Uses You as a Delay Tactic?

A bollard doesn’t solve traffic problems—it just slows things down. These management roles often exist not to drive change, but to delay it.?

• Instead of fixing inefficiencies, companies add layers of managers to “evaluate” things.?
• Instead of addressing employee concerns, they assign someone to “gather feedback” without real action.?
• Instead of making decisions, they create long approval chains where you’re just another step in the process.?

If your role feels like a corporate waiting room instead of leadership, you’re in a bollard position.?

You Take the Blame Without Power?

A real leadership role comes with authority, strategic influence, and control over resources. A bollard position? Just accountability without control.?

• Your team blames you for not solving their problems.?
• Upper management blames you for not delivering results.?
• You’re held responsible, but you don’t have the power to change anything.?

Over time, this damages your credibility. You’ll be seen as ineffective—not because you lack skill, but because you lack authority. This makes it harder to land a real leadership role later.?

The Perception Trap: You’re Not Seen as a Leader?

A leadership title should increase your influence. A bollard position does the opposite.?

• Your team doesn’t see you as a leader because you can’t make meaningful changes.?
• Upper management doesn’t see you as a leader because you don’t shape strategy.?
• Future employers won’t see you as a leader because your impact is minimal.?

The longer you stay in this role, the harder it is to break out of the perception that you’re just a middleman.?

Stress Without Rewards?

A bollard position gives you all the stress of leadership without the power, respect, or pay.?

• You’re expected to deliver results but have no control over hiring, budgets, or strategy.?
• You’re constantly dealing with escalations, but no one above you is listening.?
• You’re stuck between unhappy employees and an unresponsive leadership team.?

And let’s talk about compensation—these roles pay slightly more than an individual contributor job, while carrying the workload of a real manager. You get the headaches of leadership without the paycheck to match.?

The “Acting Manager” Trap?

?One of the biggest red flags is when a company asks you to “step into a leadership role” unofficially.?

• “Let’s see how you do first.”?
• “We’ll make it official later.”?
• “You’re already doing the job, so why not?”?

It sounds like an opportunity, but it’s a test with no finish line. You’ll do the work indefinitely—without recognition, authority, or pay. If leadership values your contribution, they should make it official before giving you the extra responsibility.?

If Leadership Doesn’t Listen to You, You’re Not a Leader?

A real leadership role comes with decision-making power and influence. A bollard position gives you:?

• The title of a manager, but not the authority?
• The stress of leadership, but not the pay?
• The responsibility for outcomes, but no control over them??

If leadership constantly filters, delays, or ignores what you escalate, you’re not leading—you’re just a corporate bollard, blocking problems from reaching the top while standing completely still yourself.?

How to Spot and Avoid a Bollard Position?

Before accepting any management role, ask yourself:?

• Do I have hiring or budget control??
• Can I make independent decisions without senior approval??
• Will my performance be judged on actual leadership impact??
• Do I have direct reports who depend on my leadership??

If the answer is no, it’s not a leadership role—it’s a bollard position.?

Already in One? Here’s How to Escape.?

• If you’re stuck in a role like this, don’t wait for things to change. They won’t. Instead:?
• Stop being just a messenger. Look for ways to create impact, even in small areas.?
• Document the decisions you aren’t allowed to make. It’s proof that you need a role with more authority.?
• Strengthen your external network. Internal promotions are unlikely—your best move may be outside the company.?

• Look for roles where leadership listens. If your job exists to absorb noise, it’s time to find one where you can actually make change happen.?

Final Thought: Don’t Get Stuck in the Middle?

?A bollard position might look like leadership, but in reality, it’s just a corporate barrier between real decision-makers and workplace problems.?

If you want to grow, lead, and make an impact, don’t waste your career absorbing pressure for people who don’t value your input. Find a role where you’re more than just a buffer. Find a role where you can actually lead.?

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