Had an interesting conversation…who wants to work their ass off at a job where when they don’t get any respect, when they aren’t valued for their contributions? I know a guy who had an issue with a couple of co workers, and he went immediately from liking (not loving) his job to not being able to stand being in the building. I personally experienced working for someone who belittled and betrayed many of her coworkers/employees in such a way that these people went to work miserable, afraid, angry, hostile and therefore became very ineffective.
On the flip side, I have worked with/for some of the most encouraging, respectful, involved people on this planet, and have seen the difference this attitude can make! In fact, I just wrote a whole article about it, and (keep fingers crossed) hopefully it will be published. When hard work is valued, hard work is what is received. When value is given to the individual effort, effort is what is received. One of the hardest nights I have had at a job came when a friend died right before a work shift was about to start. I, personally, was mortified and devastated (and ended up screaming at someone that night, but that is another story). I was put in a situation where I had to finish my shift, deal with people and smile, and pretend like nothing happened. I was furious with my “boss” that night, but at the end of the night, with tears in his eyes, he thanked me profusely for having “done a good job, your job,” is what was said to me. And in that moment, it was (kind of) worth it. At least, the struggle I had been through the whole night was acknowledged and his apparent apathy at the news of our friend’s death was proven untrue in his tears.
Yes, the show must go on. Yes, people “trooper” through many things every day, things we can’t even begin to imagine. But, do we recognize those things when we see them? Are we grateful for what we have? Do we appreciate those that work with us, for us? Do we appreciate the people who support us? Are we grateful, aware of others?
I digress…three more topics in this blog alone 🙂