Comments on: Only 18% Feel Negative About Their Work On a Scale From Total Infatuation to Total Irritation http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/ Sports News - Tech Reviews - Entertainment - Life Tips for EveryJoe Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:05:07 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sue Dickerson http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308431 Sue Dickerson Tue, 13 May 2008 15:44:34 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308431 I absolutely agree with David. You’re awareness puts you way ahead of the “game”. You don’t provide very much back story such as: what were the real reasons they chose to demote your boss instead of keep him at his level or terminate him? What would make a company put their strategy in the hands of people who can’t see the whole picture? Are they friends? Are they investors? What??? How long has it been in start-up mode? How large is the company? But I’ve never been afraid of giving advice before  In my experience, losing the battle to stay engaged means you feel as though you have been cut out. That you have lost any responsibility or authority you once had to have impact on the organization. Being engaged and motivated also relies on results. It may be that you cannot see the results of your hard work. Be grateful in that you have realized what really drives you in your job (something people often don’t find out about themselves), and capitalize on that. If you decide to stay, here are some suggestions. Work with your boss on quarterly plans, so that you can reach goals and produce results that you can see and feel, while the guys fight it out at the top. If your boss buys in to this, he should set them as well. If the top guys are any good, they will see the value in the two of you. It’s not easy to push things “up” the ladder, but it may buy you some time to either weather the storm, or define your strengths until you can find another job. You are absolutely right. Culture is driven from the top down. Whether it is a good culture or a bad culture, it does come from the top. I’ve worked in several start-ups. It’s never an easy journey, the people change constantly, and in my opinion it takes a strong, focused, open-minded, intelligent, seasoned set of individuals to do it well. There is going to be a lot of change, transition, waste, confusion. Some people thrive in the start-up environment, many do not. Keep your eyes and options open. Keep up your energy, ideas and your optimism. My biggest advice, is either decide whether you are in or whether you are out quickly, and then put everything into it. All of that will serve YOU well. I absolutely agree with David. You’re awareness puts you way ahead of the “game”. You don’t provide very much back story such as: what were the real reasons they chose to demote your boss instead of keep him at his level or terminate him? What would make a company put their strategy in the hands of people who can’t see the whole picture? Are they friends? Are they investors? What??? How long has it been in start-up mode? How large is the company? But I’ve never been afraid of giving advice before 
In my experience, losing the battle to stay engaged means you feel as though you have been cut out. That you have lost any responsibility or authority you once had to have impact on the organization. Being engaged and motivated also relies on results. It may be that you cannot see the results of your hard work. Be grateful in that you have realized what really drives you in your job (something people often don’t find out about themselves), and capitalize on that.
If you decide to stay, here are some suggestions. Work with your boss on quarterly plans, so that you can reach goals and produce results that you can see and feel, while the guys fight it out at the top. If your boss buys in to this, he should set them as well. If the top guys are any good, they will see the value in the two of you. It’s not easy to push things “up” the ladder, but it may buy you some time to either weather the storm, or define your strengths until you can find another job.
You are absolutely right. Culture is driven from the top down. Whether it is a good culture or a bad culture, it does come from the top. I’ve worked in several start-ups. It’s never an easy journey, the people change constantly, and in my opinion it takes a strong, focused, open-minded, intelligent, seasoned set of individuals to do it well. There is going to be a lot of change, transition, waste, confusion. Some people thrive in the start-up environment, many do not. Keep your eyes and options open. Keep up your energy, ideas and your optimism.
My biggest advice, is either decide whether you are in or whether you are out quickly, and then put everything into it.

All of that will serve YOU well.

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308428 David Zinger Tue, 13 May 2008 04:41:06 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308428 I think you awareness if quite key here. Don't lose the battle even if you need to change the battlefield or find a place where there is not a battle but caring and development. I find that knowing my strengths and using them everyday makes a big personal difference on both contribution and my own happiness. Soft skills are hard skills but if we don't care we end up with others who grow increasingly care-less. Take care and give care. I think you awareness if quite key here. Don’t lose the battle even if you need to change the battlefield or find a place where there is not a battle but caring and development. I find that knowing my strengths and using them everyday makes a big personal difference on both contribution and my own happiness. Soft skills are hard skills but if we don’t care we end up with others who grow increasingly care-less. Take care and give care.

]]> By: Fisher http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308426 Fisher Tue, 13 May 2008 04:18:29 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308426 Great post and comments. Just discovered the blog and I'm really enjoying it. I too am in a difficult situation whereby my boss was demoted into the position I was hired to fill. Difficult, but I have a lot of respect for him and am working through that with him. Unfortunately, his demotion was part of the 'executive re-org' which not only threw a wrench in the organizational design and put the strategy into the hands of those who have can't see the whole picture, but it also put new people in charge that are wholly lacking in the soft skills. A killer for a startup. The morale is in the dumps and anyone left who is engaged uses that energy to bitch and moan. It's an energy black hole. That kills me and I'm losing the battle to stay engaged. I'm finding what really matters to me is culture, morale and helping others find what they love to do. What this means is that I'm in the wrong function, possibly the wrong company (though lots of opportunity if I can figure out the following...) and have no idea how to go about creating a niche for me to focus on smoothing out the sharp edges of the softer skills. Any ideas? (I believe culture is one of the few things that is driven top down. I'm firmly in the middle buying some ability to craft a new role, but little ability to affect the major issues I see.) Thanks. Great post and comments. Just discovered the blog and I’m really enjoying it.

I too am in a difficult situation whereby my boss was demoted into the position I was hired to fill. Difficult, but I have a lot of respect for him and am working through that with him.

Unfortunately, his demotion was part of the ‘executive re-org’ which not only threw a wrench in the organizational design and put the strategy into the hands of those who have can’t see the whole picture, but it also put new people in charge that are wholly lacking in the soft skills. A killer for a startup. The morale is in the dumps and anyone left who is engaged uses that energy to bitch and moan. It’s an energy black hole.

That kills me and I’m losing the battle to stay engaged. I’m finding what really matters to me is culture, morale and helping others find what they love to do. What this means is that I’m in the wrong function, possibly the wrong company (though lots of opportunity if I can figure out the following…) and have no idea how to go about creating a niche for me to focus on smoothing out the sharp edges of the softer skills.

Any ideas? (I believe culture is one of the few things that is driven top down. I’m firmly in the middle buying some ability to craft a new role, but little ability to affect the major issues I see.)

Thanks.

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308389 David Zinger Sat, 10 May 2008 02:55:04 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308389 Scott, I wish you all the best on the changes you seem to be ready to make. I hope that you can find what you need and let go of what is dragging you down. David Scott,
I wish you all the best on the changes you seem to be ready to make. I hope that you can find what you need and let go of what is dragging you down.
David

]]> By: Scott http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308388 Scott Fri, 09 May 2008 22:59:59 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308388 BTW - I recieve e-mails all the time from customers regarding the great service I provide! I recieve about one or more per month (and to think my former Supervisor and manager said I need to improve my customer service). And when I talked to some of my customers that I use to make site visits complain that they don't see me any more! Quite the opposite from what my Supervisor was telling me! BTW – I recieve e-mails all the time from customers regarding the great service I provide! I recieve about one or more per month (and to think my former Supervisor and manager said I need to improve my customer service). And when I talked to some of my customers that I use to make site visits complain that they don’t see me any more! Quite the opposite from what my Supervisor was telling me!

]]> By: Scott http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308387 Scott Fri, 09 May 2008 22:49:11 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308387 David - I have already talked to a counselor ... I feel most of was useless. I explained much of what was going on (at that time), how I felt, brought in my documentation, etc. She mostly sat there and in the end asked what I felt the resolution would be. I explained that the resolution was for me to find employment elsewhere because nothing was going to change and most likely going to get worse (which it has)! Sue - I agree with you regarding the work-vampires. To give you an example, my former Supervisor and Manager in my last review criticized my customer service. His is dispite all the 'at-a-boy' e-mails he was getting regarding my service. I know this for a fact because I had a couple of managers ask me later if I heard about the e-mails they sent! A friend told me that someone overheard my (former) Manager telling someone that she wanted me to quit. The result - They gave me physical and demeaning work while everyone else (half my age) did normal work. Because the work was so physical I ended up with arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, a thickened tendon, and a torn ligament. And that is just one shoulder! I was lucky thus far to avoid surgery and was able to heal naturally. During this time I was told to keep going ... even where I was working in a trailor in 140 degree tempature inside! Finally I said NO, I'm injured! - and went to the doctor. (also e-mailed my new Supervisor) The doctor placed me on light-duty (I was given 30 days) hoping I could work it out my situation. On the 31st day I was given another order for 800 pieces of equipment that I had to go through! I asked the doctor for a longer extention and he wrote one 'until further notice' - I was then suspended and then given Worker's Comp, the given the lowest position that could possible give me. I sure worked HARD on getting my MBA to work the lowest possition! And regarding the 800 pieces of equipment ... they gave it to someone else, who then complained that it is TOO much for one person! Granted that I am older but twice as strong as anyone there - the donut-munching, nintendo playing co-workers couldn't handle what I did on my own! I am considering getting a lawyer myself. I figure when I leave I will file charges of age discrimination. And yes but I'm between the two coasts next to Mickey Rat. David – I have already talked to a counselor … I feel most of was useless. I explained much of what was going on (at that time), how I felt, brought in my documentation, etc. She mostly sat there and in the end asked what I felt the resolution would be. I explained that the resolution was for me to find employment elsewhere because nothing was going to change and most likely going to get worse (which it has)!

Sue – I agree with you regarding the work-vampires. To give you an example, my former Supervisor and Manager in my last review criticized my customer service. His is dispite all the ‘at-a-boy’ e-mails he was getting regarding my service. I know this for a fact because I had a couple of managers ask me later if I heard about the e-mails they sent! A friend told me that someone overheard my (former) Manager telling someone that she wanted me to quit.

The result – They gave me physical and demeaning work while everyone else (half my age) did normal work. Because the work was so physical I ended up with arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, a thickened tendon, and a torn ligament. And that is just one shoulder! I was lucky thus far to avoid surgery and was able to heal naturally.

During this time I was told to keep going … even where I was working in a trailor in 140 degree tempature inside! Finally I said NO, I’m injured! – and went to the doctor. (also e-mailed my new Supervisor)

The doctor placed me on light-duty (I was given 30 days) hoping I could work it out my situation. On the 31st day I was given another order for 800 pieces of equipment that I had to go through!

I asked the doctor for a longer extention and he wrote one ‘until further notice’ – I was then suspended and then given Worker’s Comp, the given the lowest position that could possible give me. I sure worked HARD on getting my MBA to work the lowest possition!

And regarding the 800 pieces of equipment … they gave it to someone else, who then complained that it is TOO much for one person! Granted that I am older but twice as strong as anyone there – the donut-munching, nintendo playing co-workers couldn’t handle what I did on my own!

I am considering getting a lawyer myself. I figure when I leave I will file charges of age discrimination.

And yes but I’m between the two coasts next to Mickey Rat.

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308386 David Zinger Fri, 09 May 2008 22:21:20 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308386 This was one of the richest comments we have had on Slacker Manager. People put a lot of thought and emotion and personal experience into their comments and I am very grateful for this as I learn even more through the conversation. This was one of the richest comments we have had on Slacker Manager. People put a lot of thought and emotion and personal experience into their comments and I am very grateful for this as I learn even more through the conversation.

]]> By: Sue Dickerson http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308384 Sue Dickerson Fri, 09 May 2008 20:39:49 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308384 Thank you, I apprciate that! I'm working on it :) Sue Thank you, I apprciate that! I’m working on it :)

Sue

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308382 David Zinger Fri, 09 May 2008 19:47:23 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308382 Sue, You would make a very fine career counsellor/coach for people going through difficult working situations. David Sue,
You would make a very fine career counsellor/coach for people going through difficult working situations.
David

]]> By: David Zinger http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation/comment-page-1/#comment-308381 David Zinger Fri, 09 May 2008 19:43:21 +0000 http://www.slackermanager.com/2008/05/only-18-feel-negative-about-their-work-on-a-scale-from-total-infatuation-to-total-irritation.html#comment-308381 Ron: I am aware there would be reliability and validity issues with a quick survey like this. I was overwhelmed by the number of responses and the emotion of the comments. As a practitioner and management educator I am much more interested in the criteria of usability and I believe too much has already been put into engagement surveys with very little return. The numbers by Gallup, Sirota, Wyatt, etc. etc. often come out relatively similar. I want to demonstrate primarily to myself that a quick survey is managable, insightful, and inexpensive. David Ron:
I am aware there would be reliability and validity issues with a quick survey like this. I was overwhelmed by the number of responses and the emotion of the comments. As a practitioner and management educator I am much more interested in the criteria of usability and I believe too much has already been put into engagement surveys with very little return. The numbers by Gallup, Sirota, Wyatt, etc. etc. often come out relatively similar. I want to demonstrate primarily to myself that a quick survey is managable, insightful, and inexpensive.
David

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