I'm stuck in a very interesting position.

I report to a manager which reports to a director. I was summoned to the office one fine day when my manager was not around. The director had a casual chat with me and ask me if there are any problems and such. I did mention that there are few issues.

He then questioned me why I didn't go to my manager regarding these issues. I did mention that it's not very urgent/important and the last time I went to my manager on these issues, he just gave me some suggestion which ultimately still leads to me solving these problems. The director shares the same view as me that the manager should help his subordinates to resolve non-technical issues, as he can't provide any technical help.

The manager is relatively quite new, but is reponsible for my salary increment. It is actually the director which hired this manager to manage me and my deparment. I was asked to give my manager a list of problems and report to the director in 2 weeks regarding what my manager have done to resolve it.

I've also heard rumors that I may be promoted and I am wondering if this is some kind of test. Any request for promotion/increment have to be approved by the director. The director have personally picked me to do this as we had a good relationship from prior work experience in other areas.

Although my manager have control over my department, the director is able to override any decision made by the manager.

Am I playing with fire here? Should I do what the director ask me to do to sort of 'set up' my manager? Or should I play down the issue saying it is not very important/urgent. It's like biting the hands that feed you or biting the hand that feeds the hand that feeds you

Forgot to mention that this possible promotion is not to replace my manager, but it is something like a technical lead position which will still report to him. I've nothing against my manager actually, it's just that he's not doing enough as a manager.

Believe it or not, but I am not really interested in this possible promotion. I'm happy doing my job and not too interested in any power struggle by anyone. I don't think I can do a better job than my manager because he is a managerial kind of person whereas I am a technical sort of person which just solve technical problems, and not people problem. However, I do think the director did a much better job than the manager before this new manager came into the picture. I believe that the director believe he is not getting good worth from the manager which I believe earns in the region of 10k+

Gave suggestion to the manager dy. But then he don't agree with my suggestion but the director agree with my suggestion. Since he is my manager, I have to follow what he say even though I don't agree.

I suggest A to manager, manager ask to do B. Doing A will definitely by directly undermining the manager's authority

When I suggest A to director, director said manager should do A. Director said if manager do not do A, then report back to him.

I'm not trying to backstab anyone.

Director just asking me if my manager is doing his job.
Manager is doing a job, but not very good at it.

The director is certainly very powerful and can make life good or bad for anyone below his power. Actually, the director actually calls all the shots, whereas the manager is reponsible to ensure the director's plan is carried out.

Regarding cost saving, it will save more cost if the manager solves the problems and leave the team to concentrate on the technical matter. No sense paying someone lots of money just to forward emails around, rite?

Oh well.. I'll just have to see how things goes. Thanks for your comments.

Director was probably fooled by impressive resumes. You won't know how good is a person solely based on resume and a few interview sessions. Hiring managers is probably not as easy as giving a test and a few interviews. Seems like that in my company, the more impressive your resume is, the worst the person perform at the actual work.

Anyways, my department manager changed 3 times already, and it's not an easy job to be the manager. I have a feeling that the director is starting to number the manager's days already. Few people resigned already and the director nowdays is more worried that the manager is causing the department to fall apart.

I definitely won't be the manager for sure as it is a managerial position. Most is just some technical lead role for a group of 4-5 ppl only.