<prompt> Human: Hey PF. I could use some level headed advice here. I recently was asked to move aside for a more senior hire to take on a directors position in my company. Not an easy situation, but Ive handled it as best I could. Moved aside, allowed my direct reports to be reassigned to new departments and watched my two best friends either be fired or quit. Rough days, but Im a professional. Keeping a level head, have been asking for concrete objectives so I can hit them etc etc. Today I had a feedback session about my role and where it was headed. I am young and new to my career 3 yrs experience, this is partly why I stepped aside for a more senior employee 12 years. My goal is to advance quickly as this is my second career field swapped when I realized my old field had no earning potential with massive school debts. I work extra hours, always am positive, etc. I actually have a reputation for being a bit too positive. Anyway, had a meeting today with my supervisor about working towards an assistant department head position within the company over the next few months. He was not ecstatic about it, but talked about a strategy to achieve this goal and how we would further discuss next week. This evening there was a directors meeting about some new hires and unfortunately for me, the room is NOT soundproof. I overheard every director in that room bash me both professionally and unprofessionally. I never viewed myself as amazing in my field but Im always in the top 5 for my quota and my director keeps telling me Im amazing and he needs me. He was the only one who did not bash me, but he didnt stand up for me at all. Im depressed and beat up. I cleaned out my desk and am headed home. What can I do?Im dont love my job, especially recently with the demotion but I genuinely like the people I work with and until tonight respected them. Help!  <response>: This might sound harsh, but it isnt. You just overheard one of the best conversations for your professional growth. Make a list of everything they criticized -- professional or not. Then, come up with a plan to improve yourself. Id wait to leave your current company until you fix some of their professional complaints. The reputation you have made for yourself there is poor. If you leave now for another company without addressing your shortfalls, the same thing will happen at a new company. What were they saying that made you clean out your desk? Also, you have two years of experience and want to be a manager? Feel like you were demoted from being a manager? People criticize you for being too positive? I imagine they feel like you are fake and overly ambitious without putting in the time. If you want a leadership role and to start managing a team of people, start taking leadership on projects and delivering successful results that everyone who was on the project aays shehe did a great job on leading that project. Take some project management classes, etc. Prove yourself first. 