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Is there no place for employees to just be “good” at their jobs?
Right now it feels that it’s expected for the entire workforce to be always on, hyper-career oriented, and a type-A workaholic. The mindset is mind-boggling to me because it’s almost like you have to put on a facade that our highest value should be work over anything else -- during a health pandemic...
And this kind of mentality is the exact opposite of the kind of workplace I want to be at. Curious, does it feel this way for you where you work? If not, what’s your culture like? I’m wondering if this is just the way it is for other employers during this time or if this is a sign that I should start looking elsewhere.
Gibboma
Learning ninja with solid business acumen.
97
06/04/20 at 8:23PM UTC
At my two Big-4 accounting firms, it was pretty much an ‘up or out’ environment (unless you shifted away from client service - which was possible, full disclosure). The issue with that, though, is we lost great people who were excellent managers and wished to stay in that lane as opposed to moving up more into sales/admin/higher management. What if.....we had a great 60 year old manager who inspired their staff, helped them grow, built great client relationships and wanted to stay there with NO desire to become a partner one day.....and retire out at that lower management level.....I always wondered....food for thought.
Linda Grace SolisDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion
423
05/27/20 at 3:53AM UTC
I turned down a job that paid 25% more because I knew that working 60 to 80 hours wasn’t for me, even though aside from that the job and company both sounded great. You have to figure out your values and stick with them.
Janet ParkhurstCopy that gets RESULTS.
466
05/21/20 at 8:46PM UTC
Hello! I remember this "culture" from way back in the '80s. I worked for a large Boston advertising agency and was called into a manager's or HR person's office frequently and cited for not being "aggressive" enough. All the employees at that place would buzz around the halls like insects sprayed with Raid in an attempt to look "energetic" and "psyched." I believed in conserving energy for the situations in which I'd need it--such as tense meetings where clients were disappointed in the advertising or media choices, or disagreements between key personnel that needed someone (me) to create a win win, and other tense, make-or-break moments. I think my "calm" helped to create positive outcomes. Nevertheless, while well liked, I never went very far with that company. Years later, while at a large corporation I was a contract writer for, I was asked to stay for a meeting (that had nothing to do with writing) after hours, because I brought "such a calming influence" to the table.
So, I say, if a culture strikes you as hostile, negative or just plain stupid, don't be part of it. Do what you need to do to find an environment that considers your personality an asset, rather than a liability.
Krista Haugner Sieg, MBAFairyGodBoss In Training. D & I Advocate.
741
05/26/20 at 9:07PM UTC
Beautifully said!
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 8:33PM UTC
I am not working currently, but I 100% agree with you. It seems there is no place in the working world for someone who does good work, but appreciates work-life-balance and may have other passions that do not necessarily pay the bills. I have a hunch it may be location based... I have always worked either in the SF Bay Area or NYC. Just a thought...
mcasterlloydDallas EA; Writer, Artist, Graphic Designer
52
05/20/20 at 7:08PM UTC (Edited)
The leaders of my company often state that your family needs to come first before the company. However, they promote the people who take the initiative become leaders and take on more responsibilities. I would assume the pay would also be based to favor the people who are putting forth more effort.
Kate OCarroll
95
05/26/20 at 11:45PM UTC
Same here. I work for a company who values and expects excellent work, but never at the expense of the employee. We tend to say we only hire "excellent people," most are internal references who are open to the values and culture of the organization. We also believe in a "whole person" approach- the idea that you are not just your job and that you will strive to not put your job first in life- things like family and personal interests should be just as important, if not more so, to ensure that you're able to be good at your job.
For us, this type of focus allows us to be good, great and excellent, and to also have really bad days. Most of the time we find that this leads to better performance in the long run.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 8:58PM UTC
That doesn’t sound so bad. Most companies would say that. The problem is the effort too often is not effective results, but show boating...I can understand someone who actually produces good, effective results being promoted.
Jennifer Deby
179
05/20/20 at 2:38PM UTC
Every time I see a job listing looking for a "rockstar", I get a suspicious, queasy feeling! I generally don't want to apply there.
Ruth A. Ford, PHRHR guru/EEO Specialist
397
05/20/20 at 3:32PM UTC
Right?! I am a middle-aged, amateur rock star who goes to bed at 10PM and needs ibuprofen and 2 days to recover after a gig. I love what I do...but I also love work-life balance and paid time off! :-)
Joanne FProject Manager / Web Professional in Austin, TX
18
05/20/20 at 3:24PM UTC
Another one I see a lot is "unicorn".
Jennifer Deby
179
05/20/20 at 4:43PM UTC
So they’re looking for a mythical creature? I love unicorns, but what the hell is that to the employer? Why can’t they be clear about their wants, instead of vague crap like “rockstar” and “unicorn”?
Joanne FProject Manager / Web Professional in Austin, TX
18
05/20/20 at 10:40PM UTC
I think they feel it expresses that they are looking for a really unique background/skillset but it comes off as really pretentious. Another fun one I see a lot is "ninja".
See other replies
VenissaWas Java developer,am in presales,will be farmer
27
05/20/20 at 1:31PM UTC
I am with you too. I realised the current company I am in seems a misfit and I been trying to switch companies for a while now which hasn’t been successful.
I really wish for a 9-5 job where work remains at work and I can come home to my family and spend that time with them.
I wish you all the luck to find the right company that values you and your time too!
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 1:29PM UTC
My experience in the workplace is similar and my observation is that there is demand that we put on a facade. This is to please a senior management team appointed more on their personality and wanna-be Images than competence. Noncompliant employees are pushed out to maintain the control structure and allow the emperors without clothes to feel less threatened. It is an ego and control issue. You play to stay. Let me guess that in your workplace promotions based not on effectiveness but on appearance creation...marketing of ones self as fitting the image and a “super” team player, competence and authenticity take a backseat. Sad. Look elsewhere.
Cindie Beach
131
05/20/20 at 2:40PM UTC
This type of manager never wants to hear the truth, and they will punish you if you tell it. Gender-bias also impacts productive work and allows men, specifically, to under perform because they are one of the guys/soldiers/retired military. Women still have a long way to go to reach equality in the workplace.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 12:45PM UTC
If you think you are not a good fit for the current demands of your company -- for whatever reason -- my general belief is you should start looking elsewhere rather than be unhappy and be a mismatch with where you currently work. There is no "right" way to work. Every person and every company is different. The mismatch is the issue, in my opinion. The problem is that it may not be easy to find a new position right now because of what's happening in the world but that's no reason to put feelers out.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 12:41PM UTC
I hear ya. I feel the same way. Go to work, do ur job to the best of your ability then go home. I don't know why that is so hard to comprehend. If we r always hyper focused that causes burnout. Life is more than ur job. That's my opinion tho.
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