Leadership / Management

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The who/where/what we do connection has created difficult problems for a growing number of people today who feel trapped in unsatisfying jobs. These people are afraid they won’t be able to find another one… or they can’t afford to lose seniority and pension rights... or they can’t face the difficulty of relocating their families.

Problem: If you feel unappreciated or taken for granted or inadequately rewarded at work, it has an adverse effect on your work, your relationships with your boss and colleagues… and your own emotional well-being. The unresolved anger that you feel in your job may spill over into your private life, with family and friends its innocent victims as you scream at the kids, kick the dog, and knock down a couple of beers.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Doing nothing only adds to feelings of anger and exploitation, and frustration will probably continue.Realize that because you have control over yourself you have control over the situation. Then figure out what you can do to improve the situation. Questions to ask...  

• Am I appreciated? The very fact that you have a job is an important sign that you are valued by your employer. If you’re being paid more than people doing similar work elsewhere, that’s another good sign.
• Should I be appreciated? If your work is marginal or if your achievement level is lower than colleagues in your unit then it’s not realistic to expect compliments and reassurances about the quality of your work. Try to appraise your real contributions to your employer… and look for ways to bring those to management’s attention.

In addition to self-appraisal, it’s imperative to get frequent feedback from your boss. If your company doesn’t have formal evaluations, request a meeting to discuss your job effectiveness. Work review sessions—in one form or another --should happen much more than once or twice a year, for they give you a good sense of whether you’re on the right track.

Try to communicate with your boss about signs of appreciation. If he/she seems to be piling work on you or always giving you the tough tasks, you might interpret it as punishment while your boss meant to show confidence in your ability. It helps to talk these things out.

Also ask colleagues what they think of your work. Assure them that you’re not fishing for a compliment but that you really need an objective appraisal. You may find that you are far more respected than you realized—perhaps for talents or skills you didn’t know you had. Team support is a two-way street. Remember to thank and congratulate co-workers when they have done something well, too.

Customers can also be a valuable source of recognition and job satisfaction. When they thank you for your promptness or effectiveness or thoughtfulness, accept the compliments graciously and tell them how much you appreciate the kind words. But if someone withholds praise that you believe you deserve, do not let it cause you to lose confidence in yourself.

For more information about Ken Chapman and Associates’ Leadership Development Programs, contact Ken Chapman at 205.366.0265 or kchapman@leaderscode.com.

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