Keeping Calm and Carrying On - in the workplace!
In this fast paced world where we're expected to produce, log our productivity and then 'tweet' and engage a public we can't see, we tend to get pulled deeper and deeper into the muck and mire of expectation. We're expected to perform, twice as fast, twice as hard, twice as much and twice as long. Those of us who wish to practice a certain mindfulness or detachment are shunned as not being team players, not playing ball. It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain our spiritual principles where we've set our priorities and still keep the boss happy.
I've been thinking about this a lot and knocking around some ideas - how does one keep the balance? This is what I've come up with so far:
Learn to Act
I remember working in a canteen with a very laid back colleague. He wasn't slow, he just appeared slow and it really annoyed our boss. The boss had no complaint about his speed, but just that he looked too laid back, as if the task was not important enough to 'jump to it'. The boss wanted him to show some energy, some enthusiasm, some urgency and just for show, just to make the customer feel important. Rightly or wrongly, the boss had an expectation that my colleague was not fulfilling. Maybe if he had just put on a small act, put a spring in his step, made it look like he was dashing around the kitchen, he could have kept customer and boss happy.
Manage Expectation
As an eternal optimist, I believe anything is possible all the time and so I say yes to everything and fail to deliver. This is the story of my life. I have learned to say no, but even learning that doesn't mean I always say it when I should. I am getting better at managing expectation when I remember to. When I first notice I'm failing, I try to alert others to let them know it's all falling apart or it's going to be a little late or whatever. Better to admit the slip straight away rather than keeping quiet thinking you have time to recover. More than likely you don't - just face it and admit it. You will gain trust and respect.
Gather Evidence
Having been on the other side, where I have managed others, I see a different point of view. Sometimes the boss (me) has an expectation how the job should be done. For controlling types, especially, there is a need to dictate every last detail, to micro manage. It would be better if bosses didn't do this, but if you have one that does, you really have to protect yourself. I do try to keep quiet and let others get on with their jobs. If there is a complaint that needs addressing, the boss should address it. But if the job is getting done correctly, why should there be concern about the style of how it was done? Some people's styles are mis-matched - like the boss and colleague in the first example. The problem is, if the boss dictates the style, then this can hamper the input of the employee. They become so concerned with being what the boss wants that they completely thwart their own creative process. If you have a boss like this, you need to step back and 'gather evidence'. Does the boss's feedback criticize your style or performance? Have you made mistakes? Is your productivity down? If the criticism is on style, you could suggest to the boss that your own style helps you perform your best. If he's still adamant that your style is unhelpful, well, perhaps you can 'learn to act'.
For your own happiness, you need to find that balance that works for you, and then work your style in with those around you. Listen to the feedback - that will help you find the balance - but weigh each piece of feedback against what is useful, important, keeping those lines of communication open with colleagues.
Om shanti.
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