Which is the better way to be happy in your career?
Discussion
I was just thinking to myself about the mentality of some people at work. Do you think you're better off being a goody-two-shoes type that always works through lunch, - especially if the boss is around - stays a little extra at the end of the day, always does the extra bit of work that needs doing, and generally likes to try to impress bosses, including humouring them by enduring their tedious and unfunny stories. Then you hope you get recognized for it.
Or do you think you're better off not trying to impress people, not being worried about being seen standing around chatting once in a while, or having a bit of fun, not being scared to be honest about f*cking up badly, standing up for yourself against bullying senior people, perhaps even pointing out where they are contradicting themselves. I don't mean being an annoying, moaning, abrasive character, but just an honest one not willing to be walked over.
Which will keep you happier? Which will see you further?
Opinions please!
Or do you think you're better off not trying to impress people, not being worried about being seen standing around chatting once in a while, or having a bit of fun, not being scared to be honest about f*cking up badly, standing up for yourself against bullying senior people, perhaps even pointing out where they are contradicting themselves. I don't mean being an annoying, moaning, abrasive character, but just an honest one not willing to be walked over.
Which will keep you happier? Which will see you further?
Opinions please!
I have never been one for dealing in the 'corporate brownnosing' - although there is plenty of evidence to suggest that your attitude, appearance and general ass-licking will get you further than actually bringing results.
Since I left uni though, I have only ever been my own boss, and I must say the job satisfaction of that is so much that anything else seems a waste of time.
Since I left uni though, I have only ever been my own boss, and I must say the job satisfaction of that is so much that anything else seems a waste of time.
In my limited experience, the second option got me noticed far more than just going along with things blindly. If I had a point, I would stand up and say so - I did what I did not because I wanted an easy life, but because I wanted to make money. You just have to hope senior management sees it that way too.
I'd prefer to go with the option of being bloody good at your job, getting things done to a high standard and getting recognition for doing so. If that involves staying late occasionally then so be it otherwise I'd prefer to be delivery oriented rather than bum-on-set for a set time period...
If you need to brown-nose to get anywhere you're obviously not very good at what you do!
If you need to brown-nose to get anywhere you're obviously not very good at what you do!
I'm self-employed and earn a modest amount that covers what I want to spend. I have an excellent quality of life, work from home and do pretty much what I want, when I want. Sometimes I'm woken up by neighbours at 6am (when it's still dark) as they set off to do great things in the City and earn heavens knows how much. And sometimes I see them coming home at 8pm, just in time to grab a meal and go to bed.
Do I want their life? No thanks.
Do I want their life? No thanks.
I had a public service career before I jumped ship and generally got on better with playing the corporate line. Progressed very quickly by doing what they wanted, ticking the usual experience boxes, not rocking the boat and generally playing the game. When I started thinking for myself and speaking out aginst the organisation from inside it was disasterous and I think both I and the organisation were glad when I left.
The odd thing is that the senior manager who at that time thought my thinking was 'bizarre and off he wall' has since made his name and risen to the very top of his sector by doing exactly what he criticised me for suggesting at a promotion selection interview 6 or 7 years ago.
They will all say they like independent creative thinkers (and some sectors may mean it) but in reality they can't manage them effectively nor safely.
To get on, play the game, build your networks and speak when you have something positive to say. Thus speaks the advantage of 20/20 hindsight!
The odd thing is that the senior manager who at that time thought my thinking was 'bizarre and off he wall' has since made his name and risen to the very top of his sector by doing exactly what he criticised me for suggesting at a promotion selection interview 6 or 7 years ago.
They will all say they like independent creative thinkers (and some sectors may mean it) but in reality they can't manage them effectively nor safely.
To get on, play the game, build your networks and speak when you have something positive to say. Thus speaks the advantage of 20/20 hindsight!
Gordon Brown said:
I had a public service career before I jumped ship and generally got on better with playing the corporate line. Progressed very quickly by doing what they wanted, ticking the usual experience boxes, not rocking the boat and generally playing the game. When I started thinking for myself and speaking out aginst the organisation from inside it was disasterous and I think both I and the organisation were glad when I left.
The odd thing is that the senior manager who at that time thought my thinking was 'bizarre and off he wall' has since made his name and risen to the very top of his sector by doing exactly what he criticised me for suggesting at a promotion selection interview 6 or 7 years ago.
They will all say they like independent creative thinkers (and some sectors may mean it) but in reality they can't manage them effectively nor safely.
To get on, play the game, build your networks and speak when you have something positive to say. Thus speaks the advantage of 20/20 hindsight!
Hmm thanks for that experienced answer.The odd thing is that the senior manager who at that time thought my thinking was 'bizarre and off he wall' has since made his name and risen to the very top of his sector by doing exactly what he criticised me for suggesting at a promotion selection interview 6 or 7 years ago.
They will all say they like independent creative thinkers (and some sectors may mean it) but in reality they can't manage them effectively nor safely.
To get on, play the game, build your networks and speak when you have something positive to say. Thus speaks the advantage of 20/20 hindsight!
Pentoman said:
I was just thinking to myself about the mentality of some people at work. Do you think you're better off being a goody-two-shoes type that always works through lunch, - especially if the boss is around - stays a little extra at the end of the day, always does the extra bit of work that needs doing, and generally likes to try to impress bosses, including humouring them by enduring their tedious and unfunny stories. Then you hope you get recognized for it.
Or do you think you're better off not trying to impress people, not being worried about being seen standing around chatting once in a while, or having a bit of fun, not being scared to be honest about f*cking up badly, standing up for yourself against bullying senior people, perhaps even pointing out where they are contradicting themselves. I don't mean being an annoying, moaning, abrasive character, but just an honest one not willing to be walked over.
Which will keep you happier? Which will see you further?
Opinions please!
I don't know why you have to choose. In the days where people would give me a job, I worked like a loon..... Or do you think you're better off not trying to impress people, not being worried about being seen standing around chatting once in a while, or having a bit of fun, not being scared to be honest about f*cking up badly, standing up for yourself against bullying senior people, perhaps even pointing out where they are contradicting themselves. I don't mean being an annoying, moaning, abrasive character, but just an honest one not willing to be walked over.
Which will keep you happier? Which will see you further?
Opinions please!
I mean if you're going to go there, why would you do anything else. Privately, I used to consider that many of the people that I worked with were a bit dodgey, but you should not allow yourself to be walked over (it looks bad), and you have no need to brown nose (it looks bad).
If you get on with people don't be afraid to have a laugh, it's what makes the world go around.
If you don't find that you identify with anyone, and you have a choice, move.
The thing I have noticed, is that there is less and less diversity in peoples attitudes, because of the current state of the nation. We are more polarised than we have been for a long time. That is always going to have an effect on general attitudes, but the real fight is not to let it get to you! That is where happiness is to be found.
If you do that and don't find happiness, then join with the majority who are unhappy, and make it change.
Edited by dilbert on Thursday 4th October 09:31
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