Dear Miss LARE,
I’m very unhappy at work. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I do everything my boss says, but I get no thanks from her. He doesn’t give me feedback. I don’t expect a big fanfare or award, but a thank you would be nice. How do I tell my boss I want appreciation without getting fired?
Crushing Between Choices
Dear Crushing,
I understand how you feel. I think everyone does. But let’s get real for a moment.
In today’s world, there are at least four generations in the workforce. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millenials (or Gen Y, depending on your take) and Gen Z. Some of the Silent Generation might still be in the work force.
Each generation has different work attitudes and ethics. It depends on how they were raised, too. There might be a Millenial who acts like a Baby Boomer. Or a Baby Boomer might have the attitude of a Gen Z.
Some people like to skate by in the work world. Some people are Alpha males, all gung ho and such. Then there’s the middle ground in the office.
A Story About a Rock and a Hard Place
Picture it. Back when my parents (the BB generation) were young, kids didn’t get participation trophies. They had to earn trophies by being good. Not just average good, they were spectacular. Because a trophy meant something back then. It wasn’t free, it was earned.
In the workforce, they fought tooth and nail to get the job they wanted. They started at the bottom, opening the company’s door and climbing the ladder by working hard and not complaining. At least not out loud or in the office. They might expect a bonus at the end of the year, but they weren’t looking for attaboys. Because they didn’t exist.
Imagine “the suits”. Depending on the industry, people may be harder to please than you expect. Or they may be hard on you because they believe you can do better and you aren’t pushing yourself to your full extent.
A Rock and a Hard Place is Real
SOME people believe everything should be handed to them. They get a college degree and expect to start at management straight away. But there’s a Catch 22. You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. It’s always been that way. That’s why people way-back-when started at the bottom, busted their butt, got noticed and promoted.
Or you could do what Michael J. Fox did in The Secret of My Success.
What? You’ve never seen the movie? Brantley Foster is a financial college graduate who moves to NYC and can’t get a job because of the Catch 22 syndrome. In other words, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He takes a job as a mail clerk, creates a secret identity of an executive, and performs the magic he had in him.
But What About My Problem?
If you are truly unhappy, walk away. Been there, done that. It’s hard, but you will survive.
If you like where you’re working but not the job itself, KA&TN. Because there’s ten people for every available job. Do more than expected. Become innovative. Don’t whine. Try harder. Many of my friends say that’s wrong, but it’s real. Stanley Tucci said it best in The Devil Wears Prada movie. You can see his speech here.
Miss LARE
What have you done to get what you wanted from the workforce? Let me know, and keep moving toward the top of the world.